Yuffie and her Materia-grabbing ways have come to PS5.
Square Enix
You can play most PlayStation 4 games on the PlayStation 5 thanks to the new Sony console’s excellent backward compatibility feature. But many publishers go a step further by allowing you to upgrade PS4 games to the PS5 versions for free. This lets you play with 4K dynamic resolution at 60 frames per second and delivers shorter loading times, making for smoother gaming experience with less waiting around.
One major game that got an update was last year’s Final Fantasy 7 Remake. It came out in June, along with an expansion — Episode Intermission — featuring awesome ninja Yuffie Kisaragi. The next-gen update is free for current owners, but not if they got the game via PlayStation Plus in March. The Yuffie content will also cost an extra $20 and is available only on PS5.
Another game that recently received the upgrade treatment was Doom Eternal. It adds graphics options for HDR 10, ray tracing and the ability to run at 120 frames per second, but you won’t be able to transfer your save from the PS4 version.
Going next-gen
The PS5 is available now but has been going in and out of stock at retailers. The digital-only model costs $400, and the one with a disc drive is $500.
Your game upgrades won’t happen automatically or through a typical game update, so it’s easy to accidentally keep playing the PS4 version of a game on your new PS5. You have to go to the game page on the PlayStation Network and choose to upgrade to the PS5 version. That’ll download the extra data needed for the next-gen features.
Read more: PS5 restocks: When to expect the console to appear
If you have a PS5, make sure you’re playing the best possible version of your games.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
You can also upgrade to PS5 versions if you have a physical PS4 game, as long as you bought the PS5 with a disc drive. You’ll always need to use the PS4 disc to play the PS5 version; upgrading doesn’t get you a free digital copy of the game. You’ll still download the PS5 update from the PSN, but you won’t need a PS5-specific disc — your PS4 one will become an authenticator.
If you opted for the digital-only PS5 and have a disc, you’re out of luck. There are a few more limitations and caveats:
Some PS5 versions of current PS4 games aren’t out yet.Next-gen versions will be bigger files, so they’ll take up more precious memory on the console’s SSD.You’ll end up with a fresh list of trophies (each version’s list is separate).A few games’ saves won’t transfer, and some require you to upload your save manually from the PS4 version before you can access it on PS5.Some game upgrades are available only in cross-gen bundles or special editions.Spider-Man: Miles Morales is one of the games you can upgrade.
PS5 Performance Mode; screenshot by Sean Keane/CNET
Free upgrades you can get right now
Assassin’s Creed ValhallaAtelier Ryza 2
Borderlands 3BugsnaxDead by DaylightDestiny 2
DIRT 5Doom Eternal (save doesn’t transfer)
FIFA 21
Final Fantasy 7 RemakeFortniteGuilty Gear Strive
Hitman 3 (digital version only)Immortals Fenyx Rising
King OddballMadden NFL 21
ManeaterMarvel’s Avengers
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles MoralesMortal Kombat 11NiohNo Man’s SkyOutriders
Planet CoasterResident Evil VillageRIDE 4
Sackboy: A Big AdventureStar Wars: Jedi Fallen Order
The PathlessThe Elder Scrolls Online
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege
Watch Dogs LegionWRC 9Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Some upgrades will require you to pay or buy a specific (more expensive) version of the game:
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is upgradable only if you buy the $70 cross-gen bundle or the $90 Ultimate Edition. The PS5 version costs $70; the PS4 version is $60. Death Stranding Director’s Cut will cost $10 if you upgrade from the PS4 version. It comes out Sept. 24.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut will cost $30 if you upgrade from the original PS4 version. It’ll be available on Aug. 20.Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered is available only with the $70 Miles Morales Ultimate Edition. It’s not technically an upgrade, but you’ll be able to transfer your save from the PS4 version.Cyberpunk 2077’s next-gen upgrade will undoubtedly be breathtaking.
CD Projekt Red
Upcoming free upgrades
Cyberpunk 2077 — Second half of 2021. June 29.Far Cry 6 — To be announced in 2021.For Honor — To be announced.Ghostrunner — To be announced 2021.Horizon Forbidden West — To be announced 2021.Kena: Bridge of Spirits — Aug. 24.Little Nightmares 2 — To be announced 2021.Metro Exodus — June 18.Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom — To be announced.Praey for the Gods — To be announced.Riders Republic — To be announced 2021.The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — To be announced 2021.
This list will be updated as more upgrades become available or are announced.