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You can play some PS3 games on a PS5 by streaming eligible titles from the PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog, but you cannot play PS3 game discs on a PS5. The streaming option depends on the game being available in your region and on having the required PlayStation Plus membership and internet connection.
Can a PS5 play PS3 discs?
No. Sony states that PS5 consoles do not support PlayStation 3 discs. Putting a PS3 game disc in a PS5 disc drive will not let you install or play the game, and there is no supported external disc-drive workaround. Sony’s PS5 backward-compatibility guidance explains the limitation.
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How to play a PS3 game on PS5 by streaming
Sony offers selected classic PS3 games through the PlayStation Plus Classics Catalog. Sony describes classic PS3 catalog games as streaming-only: they cannot be downloaded to the PS5 for local play. Not every PS3 game is included, and availability can change, so search the current catalog for the exact title in your region. Sony’s Classics Catalog FAQ covers which games can be downloaded and which must be streamed.
For the US offering, Sony associates Classics Catalog access and cloud streaming with PlayStation Plus Premium. Plan names and benefits may differ outside the US or change over time; check your local PlayStation Plus benefits before subscribing.
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- Model Number CFI-2000
- Includes DualSense Wireless Controller, 1TB SSD, 2 Horizontal Stand Feet, HDMI Cable, AC power cord, USB cable, printed materials, ASTRO’s PLAYROOM (Pre-installed game)
- Vertical Stand sold seperately
Find and stream a title on PS5
- From the PS5 Games home screen, open PlayStation Plus.
- Go to Benefits, then choose Classics Catalog.
- Search for the PS3 game you want and confirm that it is available to stream in your region.
- Open the game and choose Stream.
Sony requires at least 5 Mbps broadband for Classics Catalog streaming. It lists 15 Mbps as the minimum for streaming a supported game in 1080p. These are Sony’s published service requirements; actual streaming quality can also depend on your connection and network conditions. Sony’s cloud-streaming support page has the access steps, speed guidance, control mapping, and streaming restrictions.
Use SELECT and START in streamed PS3 games
On a DualSense controller, click the left side of the touchpad for the original PS3 SELECT command and click the right side for START. Touching or tapping the pad without pressing it down will not register those commands.
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- CPU: x86-64-AMD Ryzen Zen 8 Cores / 16 Threads at 3.5GHz.GPU: AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine.
- 16GB GDDR6/256-bit Memory; 825GB SSD Storage Capacity
- Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
- HDR technology, 8K output, 4K TV gaming, Up to 120 fps with 120Hz output, Tempest 3D AudioTech
- What's Included: Sony PlayStation 5 Disc Version; Wireless controller; USB cable, HDMI cable, AC power cord. Nogtox PVT HDMI_cable
Features unavailable during streaming
Sony lists restrictions for streamed sessions. You cannot use broadcasting, Share Play, Share Screen, Remote Play, a mouse or keyboard, PSVR, PS Camera or HD Camera, or a third-party controller while streaming.
If you own the PS3 disc
Use a PlayStation 3 console designed to play PS3-format software. That is a separate way to use your disc, not a way to make it compatible with a PS5. Sony’s PS3 system manual describes the referenced model as designed to play PS3-format software; its backward-compatibility qualification applies to that manual’s model, not necessarily every PS3 model.
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- 🚀 CPU: 3.5GHz, 8-core AMD Zen 2
- 🚀 Storage: Custom 825GB SSD
- 🚀 RAM: 16GB GDDR6
- 🚀 GPU: 10.3 teraflop RDNA 2 GPU
Choose the route that fits your game
| Your situation | What to do | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| You have a PS3 disc and want to play it on PS5 | There is no supported PS5 disc-playback route. | PS5 consoles do not support PS3 discs. |
| You want to play a PS3 game on PS5 | Check the local Classics Catalog and stream the eligible game with the required membership. | Only selected titles are available; classic PS3 catalog games are streaming-only. |
| You own a PS3 disc and want to play that copy | Use a PS3 console designed for PS3-format software. | This does not add PS3 compatibility to a PS5. |
Sony notes that catalog titles may have an end date and be removed from PlayStation Plus. The guidance above reflects US-facing Sony support pages checked on October 7, 2026; readers elsewhere should verify the plan benefits and catalog in their own region.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Enjoy smooth and fluid high frame rate gameplay at up to 120 fps for compatible games, with support for 120Hz output on 4K displays.
- PS5 consoles support an 8K output, so you can play games on your 4320p resolution display.
- Maximize your play sessions with near-instant load times for installed PS5 games.
- 825GB SSD allows ultra-fast load times, while 3-D audio output produces crisp acoustics.
- Explore uncharted virtual territories and slay dragons with this sleek Sony PlayStation 5 gaming console.
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