Review

PS6 Backwards Compatibility for PS4 Games

  • Updated December 25, 2025
  • Takuya Tsuchiya
  • 22 comments

As someone who plays games at a leisurely pace, I still have a substantial library of PlayStation 4 titles to work through and little interest in upgrading to a PlayStation 5. I recently received a PS5 as a giveaway, but given my circumstances—living with significant mental health challenges and needing funds for medication and medical care—I am considering selling it. My main concern is whether the PS6 will maintain access to the PS4 store for purchasing and downloading games, or if it will only support playing titles already in my library.

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22 Comments

  1. As someone who also holds onto consoles for a long time, your point about needing to access the PS4 store on a future PS6 really hits home. I still buy older digital games, and the idea of losing that storefront access is a genuine worry that makes me hesitant to invest further in digital libraries. What do you think Sony could do to reassure players in our situation?

    1. I completely understand your hesitation about investing further in digital libraries, especially as someone who also values long-term access to older games. Based on Sony’s current trajectory with the PS5’s strong backward compatibility, it’s reasonable to expect the PS6 will maintain access to your existing PS4 library, though future storefront support for new purchases is less certain. A practical step you could take is to focus on building your physical PS4 collection where possible, as discs typically offer more enduring access across console generations. I’d be curious to hear if you’ve found any particular older titles worth picking up before any potential store transitions.

  2. I can really relate to the concern about preserving access to older game libraries, especially when you mentioned prioritizing medical expenses over a new console. I held onto my PS4 for years partly because I worried about losing my digital purchases. It makes me wonder, do you think Sony will ever commit to long-term backward compatibility as a standard feature, or will it always feel uncertain with each new generation?

    1. I really appreciate you sharing your own experience of holding onto your PS4, as it highlights how important long-term access to our digital libraries truly is. Based on Sony’s current trajectory with the PS5, I’m cautiously optimistic that backward compatibility will remain a priority, but as you note, it’s rarely a permanent guarantee with each new generation. One practical step is to keep an eye on official PlayStation.Blog announcements for any future hardware reveals, as that’s where such commitments are usually first detailed. I’d be curious to hear if you’ve found any workarounds that have given you more peace of mind with your own collection.

  3. I totally relate to prioritizing your existing game library, especially when health and finances are tight—I’ve held off on upgrading consoles before to focus on bills, too. Your specific worry about whether the PS6 will still let you *buy* PS4 games, not just play owned ones, is a real concern given how stores like the Wii Shop eventually closed. I really hope Sony keeps that access open for players in situations like yours. Has anyone seen official hints about long-term store support on future consoles?

    1. Thanks for sharing your own experience with holding off on upgrades for financial priorities—it really highlights how important long-term access is. While there’s no official word yet on the PS6, Sony’s strong track record with backward compatibility on the PS5 suggests they’ll likely support purchasing PS4 games on future storefronts, but keeping an eye on their official PlayStation Blog for announcements is a smart move. I’d love to hear if you come across any updates or decide on a path forward with your PS5.

  4. I can really relate to your situation, as I also have a large backlog of PS4 games and often prioritize practical needs over new hardware. Your point about needing funds for medical care while wondering about the PS6’s store access for PS4 titles is a very real concern that highlights how gaming decisions are often tied to bigger life circumstances. I’m in a similar boat, holding off on a PS5 partly because I’m waiting to see if future consoles will continue to support the older digital storefronts I rely on. What’s one PS4 title in your backlog you’re most hoping will still be easily accessible on future hardware?

    1. Thanks for sharing your perspective—it’s reassuring to know others are also weighing practical needs against gaming continuity. While Sony hasn’t announced specifics for the PS6, their recent trend with PS5 suggests backward compatibility and store access for PS4 titles will likely remain a priority, as keeping digital libraries intact benefits both players and their ecosystem. One title I’m really hoping stays accessible is “Ghost of Tsushima,” and I’d suggest keeping an eye on Sony’s official backward compatibility updates for future clarity. What game from your backlog are you most eager to carry forward?

  5. I can really relate to the concern about preserving access to older game libraries, especially since I also have a backlog of PS4 titles I’m slowly working through. Your point about needing to prioritize medical expenses over a new console is a powerful reminder of how gaming fits into the bigger picture of our lives. Given how Sony handled the PS5’s backwards compatibility, do you think they’ll feel more pressure to ensure the PS6 supports the PS4 store as well?

    1. Thanks for sharing your own experience with a PS4 backlog—it really highlights how important this access is for so many players. While Sony hasn’t announced specifics for the PS6, the PS5’s strong backwards compatibility sets a positive precedent, likely increasing pressure to maintain store access for prior generations. I’d recommend keeping an eye on official Sony announcements or gaming news outlets for any future updates on their compatibility roadmap. Feel free to share any updates you come across, as I’m sure others in our community would value the insight too.

  6. I completely relate to your situation, as I also have a huge PS4 backlog and prioritize my budget carefully. Your point about needing to sell the PS5 for medical expenses really puts the importance of long-term access to those games into perspective. I’m now wondering if I should be more proactive about downloading my digital library before any storefronts potentially change. What’s the one PS4 game in your library you’d be most worried about losing access to?

    1. I really appreciate you sharing your own experience with a PS4 backlog and budget prioritization—it’s a common situation that deserves thoughtful planning. While the article notes Sony’s strong track record of backward compatibility, your idea about proactively downloading your digital library is smart; I’d recommend checking your account’s purchase history and downloading any titles with limited licenses or online dependencies first. I’d be most concerned about losing access to a niche indie title like “Gris,” so I’m curious—what game tops your list to secure?

  7. As someone who also holds onto consoles for a long time, your point about needing to access the PS4 store on a future PS6 really hits home. I held off on a PS5 for years because my PS4 backlog was so deep, and that uncertainty about long-term store access is a genuine concern for preservation. Given your situation, selling the PS5 to prioritize your health is completely understandable—what’s one game you’re most hoping stays playable on future hardware?

    1. I really appreciate you sharing your own experience with holding onto consoles and that backlog dilemma—it makes the concern about store access feel very shared. While Sony hasn’t announced specific plans for the PS6, their recent track record with the PS5 offering strong backward compatibility for PS4 games is encouraging, and I personally believe digital libraries will remain a priority. I’m especially hoping the store keeps “Bloodborne” accessible for future hardware, as it’s a title I haven’t gotten to yet. What game from your PS4 backlog are you most invested in preserving?

  8. Based on the PS5’s approach, it only supports PS3 games through Sony’s streaming service and only for specific titles. So you can likely expect a few popular games to be playable, but probably not your entire library. Of course, this is just speculation.

    1. We’ll likely get more information as the PS6 release date approaches. If necessary, I can always pick up a used PS5 later when the price drops significantly.

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