No—not locally, and not from a PS3 disc. Sony says PS5 consoles do not support PS3 discs, and its compatibility FAQ says PS5 does not play original PS3 games. There is one official exception in practice: eligible PS3 titles can be streamed through PlayStation Plus Premium’s Classics Catalog in supported countries. Whether a PS5 could run a broad PS3 library through a future local emulator is a separate technical question; Sony’s public materials do not settle it.
What PS5 does and does not support
Sony’s PS5 backward-compatibility support page states that PS5 consoles do not support PlayStation 3 discs. Its PS5 FAQ also answers no to playing original PlayStation, PS2, or PS3 games on PS5, describing the console as playing PS5 games and more than 99% of PS4 games. That percentage refers to PS4 compatibility, not PS3.
In practical terms, inserting a PS3 game disc into a PS5 will not let you install or play the game. Nor does Sony describe local PS3 software playback as a PS5 feature. Disc ownership does not confer access to a streamed version: check whether the specific title is offered in the streaming catalog.
Why the headline’s technical claim needs qualification
PS5 uses an x86-64 AMD Ryzen Zen 2 CPU and an AMD RDNA 2-based graphics engine, according to Sony’s 2020 hardware announcement. Those specifications alone do not establish that PS5 can run a broad PS3 library locally, that a complete compatible emulator exists, or that Sony has withheld a ready-to-ship emulator.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Sony’s public compatibility guidance establishes the product limitation, not its internal reason. The available official materials do not settle whether future local PS3 emulation is technically feasible across a useful range of games, or why Sony has not offered it.
Can you stream PS3 games on PS5?
Yes, for supported games in eligible locations. Sony’s October 17, 2023 PlayStation Plus Premium announcement says cloud streaming includes original PlayStation, PS2, PS3, and PSP games through the Classics Catalog. Availability depends on the game, and Premium is offered only in listed countries. The announcement is in French; consult your local PlayStation support page and the current catalog to confirm whether a title and service are available where you live.
Rank #2
- 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 Digital Edition; DualSense; USB cable, HDMI cable.
Streaming is not the same as playing a PS3 disc on the console. Before subscribing for a particular game, verify that it appears in the current catalog and that Premium is available in your country. Also check the current local tier terms and whether streaming suits your connection and preference; catalog listings and service terms can change.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Slim Design, players get powerful gaming technology packed inside a sleek and compact console design.
- 825GB of storage, keep your favorite games raeady and waiting for you to jump in and play
- Ultra-High Speed SSD, maximize yoru play sessions with near instant load times for installed PS5 games
- Integrated I/O, the custom integration of the PS5 console's systems lets creators pull datat from the SSD so quickly that they can design games in ways never before possible
- Ray Tracing, immerse yourself in owrlds with a new level of realism as rays of light are individually simulated, creating true-to-life shadows and reflections in supported PS5 games
Rank #3
- 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.
Choose the route that fits how you want to play
| Route | What it provides | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Original PS3 console | Local play of compatible PS3 discs and software on PS3 hardware. | For a used console, check power, disc-drive operation, controller connection, included cables, region, and price. These are buying checks, not a guarantee about any listing. |
| PlayStation Plus Premium cloud streaming | Streaming for PS3 titles currently supported in the Classics Catalog. | Confirm the exact game is currently listed, Premium availability and terms in your country, and whether streaming fits your network and play preferences. |
| PS3 disc in a PS5 | Not supported by Sony. | This is not a way to play a PS3 disc on PS5. |
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