Knowing what discs a PlayStation 5 can play matters more than ever, because Sony has said it will stop producing disc-based games starting in 2028. That deadline is still more than a year away, and any discs already on shelves will keep working after it passes. For owners who prefer physical media, the console remains a capable player for both games and movies, provided they have the right hardware.
Which PS5 model has a disc drive
Disc support depends on the model. The standard PS5 includes a drive, while the Slim digital edition and the PS5 Pro do not. Owners of those two models can add the detachable PS5 disc drive for $79. That add-on does not fit the original Digital Edition console.
Game discs that work on PS5
Every PS5 game disc is compatible with the console. The same goes for physical PS4 games: Sony’s backward compatibility page lists only six PS4 titles that cannot be played, including Hitman Go: Definitive Edition, We Sing and Just Deal With It! Some PS4 demos and media apps may also fall outside compatibility.
For the overwhelming majority of PS4 discs, the experience can improve. Game Boost smooths frame rates on certain PS5 titles, and many patched games reach 60 fps on the newer hardware. Examples include God of War, The Last of Us Part II and Days Gone. Not every title benefits, but the feature gives select last-gen releases a performance lift over a standard PS4.
The backward compatibility stops there. PS5 hardware will not play physical PS1, PS2 or PS3 games. Some older titles can be purchased digitally through the PlayStation Store, though others, such as LittleBigPlanet and Shadow Hearts: Covenant, remain unavailable on modern consoles.
Movie and TV discs the PS5 accepts
The PS5 functions as a media player for Ultra HD Blu-ray and standard Blu-ray discs, as well as DVDs. Old movie collections and TV box sets therefore still have a use. One notable exception is 3D Blu-ray, which the console does not support.
Home-burned video discs are a gray area. They may play if they were properly finalized, but success is not guaranteed. Simply placing raw video files onto a disc will not make them playable on the PS5.
Audio CDs are another format the console leaves out, continuing a policy from the PS4 era; the PS3 was the last PlayStation to support them. Listeners who want music can use the Apple Music or Spotify apps instead. For personal video and audio files, a USB drive is the more reliable route, as long as the folder names and file types follow Sony’s instructions.
Discs the PS5 will reject
Shape matters. Sony states that non-circular discs cut into cards, stars or hearts will be rejected. Small GameCube discs are also incompatible, so they should not be forced into the slot.
What this means for disc owners
The PS5 covers the formats most households still own: current and last-generation games, Blu-ray movies and DVDs. Its gaps are older PlayStation discs, audio CDs, 3D Blu-ray and unconventional shapes. With physical game production set to end in 2028, existing collections will keep working, and the console’s drive will remain useful for both play and playback.
