What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Usually, yes—but it depends on the game, its format, and the console model. Xbox Series X|S plays most Xbox One games and selected Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles. PS5 plays the overwhelming majority of more than 4,000 PS4 games. Neither statement is a guarantee for every title, and neither establishes what a later, unspecified console generation will support. Check your exact game and whether you own a disc or digital copy before you buy or transfer anything.
What “next generation” means here
This guide covers the current compatibility guidance for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. It does not answer whether those games will work on any later, unspecified generation of Xbox or PlayStation hardware. For current systems, compatibility is extensive but has platform- and title-specific limits.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Xbox Series X 1TB Gaming Console Console + 1 Wireless Controller - Backward Compatible with... | $713.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Xbox Series X Console (Renewed) | $719.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Xbox Series X | Disc Gaming Console | 1TB SSD | $799.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Xbox Series S | Digital Gaming Console | 512GB SSD | $498.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Xbox Series X|S: most Xbox One games, plus selected older titles
Microsoft says most Xbox One games work on Xbox Series X|S. The backward-compatibility catalog also includes selected Xbox 360 and original Xbox games—not every game from those generations. Use Microsoft’s backward-compatibility catalog to check a specific older title.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Check whether your copy is digital or on disc
- Digital games: Supported titles appear in Ready to Install on the console. A download is required.
- Disc games: A supported disc can be installed by inserting it, but you must keep the disc in the drive to play.
- Xbox Series S: This console is digital-only, so it cannot play physical game discs. A disc owner needs a compatible console with a disc drive to use that copy.
Microsoft describes backward compatibility for supported titles as free. That does not mean every older title is included or that all features behave as they did on the original console.
#1 Best Overall
- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
Enhancements and older-game limitations
Microsoft says features vary by game. Select compatible titles may render at resolutions up to 4K; FPS Boost can raise frame rates for selected titles, and Auto HDR can enhance supported SDR games. These are title-specific options, not upgrades promised for every compatible game. Microsoft says it has conducted more than 500,000 hours of testing and quality checks for backward-compatible gameplay on Xbox Series X|S; that is Microsoft’s own reported figure, not an independent comparison.
For original Xbox titles, original Xbox Live online multiplayer and in-game marketplaces are unavailable through backward compatibility. Offline multiplayer and system link can work where the individual game supports them. Original Xbox saves do not transfer to Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S. Saves created on newer Xbox consoles can transfer between newer Xbox consoles through the cloud.
Rank #2
- Experience brighter worlds, vivid imagery, and sharper details with 4K gaming and up to 120 FPS that makes everything feel so real it’s unreal.
- Quick Resume: Seamlessly switch between your favorite games and pick up right where you left off.
- Backward compatibility: Play four generations of games, including games that are optimized for Xbox Series X|S to look and play better than ever.
- Lightning-fast load times: Jump into your favorite games like Fortnite and Grand Theft Auto instantly.
- Play new games on day one like The Outer Worlds 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, and Grounded 2. Choose from hundreds of high-quality games on console, PC, and cloud with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
PS5: the overwhelming majority of PS4 games
Sony says the overwhelming majority of more than 4,000 PS4 games are playable on PS5. Some games are exceptions and are marked “Playable on: PS4 only” in the PlayStation Store. Sony recommends trying a PS4 game before buying add-ons for it. Check Sony’s PS5 backward-compatibility page and the individual Store listing for the title you want.
PS4 discs and digital games
- PS4 disc: Insert it into a PS5 model with a disc drive and leave it inserted while playing.
- PS5 Digital Edition: It cannot play PS4 game discs. A disc owner needs a PS5 model with a disc drive.
- Digital PS4 game: Sign in to the account that owns it and access it from the game library. Sony also supports transferring digital games and game data over Wi-Fi, or accessing them on PS5 from compatible USB storage already used with PS4.
PS5 does not support PS3 discs. A PS4 digital game obtained through the PS3-to-PS4 upgrade program that still requires the PS3 disc also cannot be played on PS5.
Rank #3
- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
Features, controllers, and multiplayer
Compatibility does not ensure identical behavior. Sony cautions that some PS4 functions may be unavailable and some games may show errors or unexpected behavior on PS5. Select PS4 games may benefit from Game Boost, which can produce a higher or smoother frame rate; the improvement is not guaranteed for every game. For supported PS4 games, DualSense and DUALSHOCK 4 controllers work, but PS5 games can only be played with DualSense. Some older PlayStation peripherals and functions have separate limits, so check Sony’s guidance for a specific setup.
Players on PS4 and PS5 can play together in the same supported PS4 game. That is a title-specific capability, not a general promise that every multiplayer game supports cross-generation play. Sony’s PlayStation compatibility guidance and PS5 games and ecosystem page provide additional details.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 512GB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 512GB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
Quick comparison: what to check before switching
| Question | Xbox Series X|S | PS5 |
|---|---|---|
| Which previous generation is broadly supported? | Most Xbox One games. | The overwhelming majority of more than 4,000 PS4 games. |
| Are still older generations supported? | Selected Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, listed in Microsoft’s catalog. | PS3 discs are not supported. |
| Can a digital-only model play a physical game disc? | No. Xbox Series S is digital-only. | No. PS4 discs cannot be used with PS5 Digital Edition. |
| Does compatibility guarantee the same features or performance? | No. Features and enhancements vary by game. | No. Some functions may be unavailable; some games may behave unexpectedly. Game Boost applies to select titles. |
| Does this establish support on a later, unnamed generation? | No; the guidance cited here covers Xbox Series X|S. | No; the guidance cited here covers PS5. |
How to confirm a specific game will work
- Identify the game’s original platform and exact edition. Xbox One compatibility is broader than support for Xbox 360 or original Xbox titles; on PlayStation, check whether the game is a PS4 title or relies on a PS3 disc.
- Identify your copy. Confirm whether you own a digital license or a physical disc. A digital-only console cannot use the disc, even if the game itself is compatible.
- Check the destination model. Confirm that it has a disc drive if you own a disc. For Xbox 360 or original Xbox games, verify the exact title in Microsoft’s catalog; for PS4, check Sony’s PS4-only exceptions and Store listing.
- Check the feature you care about separately. Look for title-specific information about multiplayer, saves, controllers, peripherals, and performance enhancements; basic playability does not guarantee each one carries over.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
