PS5 games: full list of release games available at launch - and can you play PS4 games on the new console?

The next-generation of gaming is finally here.

Microsoft launched its Series X and Series S consoles on 10 November, and now its the turn of Sony to unleash its new games machine unto the world in the form of the PlayStation 5.

Launching on 19 November, the PS5 utilises state-of-the-art tech to present games with much more visual clarity than ever before, it’s certainly an exciting time to be a gamer.

But what new games will be available to play on your shiny new machine? The titles that will be bringing in next-gen visuals? The games that fans really want to get their hands on on launch day?

Here is everything you need to know.

Do I need to buy a PS5 to play these games?

Many of the games on the following list are available to also play on PlayStation 4.

However, the won’t look or feel quite the same as their PlayStation 5 counterparts. That’s because the PS5 has much more modern tech, which allows it to utilise more techincally advanced graphical techniques like ray-tracing and 60 frames per second gameplay.

So while you will be able to play most of the below list on the PS4 you already own, to get the most out of these games, you’re going to want to upgrade (though while that remains an expensive prospect, there’s no real rush).

A handful of the games listed below are ONLY available on the PlayStation 5, and we’ve marked those out for you.

Can you play PS4 games on the PS5?

Thanks to Microsoft’s commitment to backwards compatibility, there will be thousands of games available to play on their Xbox Series X and S machines at launch.

But how is it looking for Sony fans?

Sony has confirmed that PS4 games will be playable on the PS5, meaning that the Playstation 5 is backwards compatible with the Playstation 4.

Users will be able to download games onto the console that they had previously purchased on the PS4 and play them on the Playstation 5.

Players will be able to insert PS4 discs into the PS5 and play them on the next-generation console; however, the discs won’t be available to use on the PS5 digital edition because the console doesn’t have a disc drive.

Sony has said it expects that 99 per cent of PS4 games will be compatible with PS5 on the launch date.

Does PS5 have Smart Delivery?

One of the benefits of Microsoft’s Xbox platform is its Smart Delivery scheme, which allows gamers access to the next-generation versions of the games they already own when they make the jump to Xbox Series X.

While PlayStation’s version of the scheme isn’t quite as robust, a large number of the games listed below will give players free upgrades to the latest version of the game when they do decide to upgrade their consoles. Again, we've marked these out.

Some games – like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – are available on both PS4 and PS5, but you will have to buy the version of the game specifically tailored to the console you plan to play on, and won’t be eligible for a free upgrade.

If you’re buying the game physically, make sure to look for the information on the box, and if you’re purchasing from the PlayStation’s digital store, double check you’re getting the version of the game you want.

Every game coming to PS5 on launch day:

Assassin's Creed Valhalla (free upgrade)

Astro's Playroom (PS5 only)

Borderlands 3 (free upgrade)

Bugsnax (free upgrade)

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Demon's Souls (PS5 only)

Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition

DIRT 5 (free upgrade)

Fortnite (free upgrade)

Godfall

King Oddball

Maneater (free upgrade)

Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales (free upgrade)

Marvel's Spider-Man: Remastered (PS5 only)

Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate (free upgrade)

NBA 2K21 (free upgrade if you purchase the Mamba Forever Edition)

No Man's Sky: The Next Generation (free upgrade)

Observer: System Redux

Overcooked: All You Can Eat

The Pathless (free upgrade)

Planet Coaster: Console Edition (free upgrade)

Poker Club

Sackboy: A Big Adventure (free upgrade)

Watch Dogs Legion (free upgrade)

WRC 9 (free upgrade)