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No—not as a PS5 game or by inserting the PS3 disc. This answer is about Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012), not the separate 2005 game or another title in the series. EA listed the 2012 release for PS3 and PS Vita, but not PS4 or PS5. PlayStation says PS5 consoles do not support PS3 discs.
Why the 2012 game does not run on PS5
EA’s October 30, 2012 launch announcement named Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, PlayStation Vita, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android as platforms for Need for Speed: Most Wanted. It did not list a PS4 or PS5 edition. That is a historical release-platform list, not confirmation of current store or subscription availability. EA’s launch announcement.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered - Xbox One | $27.87 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Need for Speed Payback video games (PS4) | $68.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Rims Racing (PS4) - PlayStation 4 | $44.15 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (Xbox) | $99.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Gran Turismo: Sport Playstation Hits (PS4) | $18.36 | Buy on Amazon |
PlayStation’s PS5 guidance says the console does not support PS3 discs. So a PS3 copy of Most Wanted cannot be inserted into a PS5 and played. The PS5’s backward compatibility with most PS4 games does not extend to PS3 discs. PlayStation’s backward-compatibility guidance and PS5 support information.
What about PS4 discs, digital games or the PS5 disc-drive model?
PlayStation’s PS4-to-PS5 compatibility instructions apply to compatible PS4 games. A PS4 disc requires a PS5 model with a disc drive; compatible digital PS4 games can be accessed according to PlayStation’s guidance. These options do not help with the 2012 Most Wanted, because EA’s announcement lists it for PS3 and PS Vita, not PS4. PlayStation’s PS5 platform page.
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#1 Best Overall
- Head first into the winding streets of Seacrest County in the socially competitive racing downtown
Don’t confuse it with the 2015 Need for Speed
The PlayStation Store listing for Need for Speed is for a different game, released on PS4 in 2015. Its PS5 compatibility note does not establish that Most Wanted (2012) is available on PS5. PlayStation Store listing for Need for Speed.
Could a subscription or streaming catalog offer it?
The sources cited here do not establish whether a current PlayStation subscription or streaming catalog offers Most Wanted (2012) in any particular region. Catalogs can vary by territory and change over time, so check the PlayStation Store or subscription catalog for your region rather than assuming an offer exists—or that it is unavailable everywhere.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the game was
EA described the 2012 release as an open-world racer, with Autolog 2 tracking and comparing players’ Speed Points and race times with friends. Those are details from EA’s 2012 announcement, not a claim about the status of online services today. EA Executive Producer Matt Webster described its design as an open-world game with an open structure, where players could choose their car and how to drive it.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Welcome to the future of motorsports - The definitive motor racing experience is back and better than ever on PlayStation 4
- get instant access to only the fast, desirable driving machines on the planet and experience the thrill of speed without limitation
- be it alone, with friends or in the definitive online racing competition so real that its recognised by the FIA
Rank #3
- A dream garage: you can ride the world's 8 most powerful European and Japanese motorcycle providing a highly accurate and realistic riding experience
- Optimize your motorbike: with a mechanics management system never before seen in a motorbike simulation, you can dismantle all your motorbike's parts to maintain them after each race or upgrade them and boost your performance
- Analyze your performance: just like for a real rider, your motorbike's configuration can be adapted to your riding style and how you race will affect the gradual wear of each component and the effects on performance that follows
- Accurate and realistic physics: the level of accuracy and details provided by the mechanics management is matched by realistic motorbike physics that will thrill the most demanding of track racers
- Manage your career and team: build your rider by managing their race calendar, choose which R&D areas to invest in and upgrade the team's skills, taking advantage of other manufacturers and partnership opportunities that become available as you progress
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
