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How to Check Whether a Discounted Game Includes a Free PS5 or Xbox Series X|S Upgrade

A discount does not guarantee a free next-gen upgrade. Check the exact game and edition, confirm its offer and restrictions, then compare the total cost.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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A sale price does not tell you whether a game includes a free upgrade. Check the exact game and edition: on PS5, inspect its game hub for the PS5 upgrade offer and read the price and conditions; on Xbox, look for Smart Delivery on that specific title. Backward compatibility alone does not mean a separate optimized version is included.

Check the exact game and edition first

Before comparing prices, note the game’s full title, platform, edition, and whether the offer is for a disc or digital copy. Different editions of the same game can have different upgrade terms. A discounted PS4 or Xbox One copy is not automatically entitled to a free PS5 or Xbox Series X|S version.

Then check the upgrade terms for that exact edition. PlayStation says a PS4-to-PS5 upgrade may be free, paid, or available only for a limited time, so confirm the current offer before buying: PlayStation’s PS4-to-PS5 upgrade guidance.

How to check for a free PS5 upgrade

  1. Open the game’s PS5 game hub and locate the PS5 upgrade offer for the edition you own or plan to buy.
  2. Read the offer’s displayed price and conditions. Confirm that it applies to your edition and is still available; do not assume “upgrade” means free.
  3. If buying a disc, check that your PS5 has a disc drive and that the disc’s country or region matches your PlayStation account region.
  4. After upgrading from disc, keep the PS4 disc inserted whenever you play the upgraded PS5 digital game.

A PS4 disc cannot be used for this purpose on PS5 Digital Edition. PlayStation also says PS4 games redeemed as a PlayStation Plus benefit are ineligible for an upgrade unless it specifies otherwise. Review PlayStation’s upgrade conditions and its account and upgrade guidance for the applicable restrictions.

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  • With capacities ranging from 1TB to 4TB[1], your PS5 console has the additional space to store up to 200 games[3] (8TB model) [1]1GB = 1 billion bytes and 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment. [3] Number of games based on a 36GB average per game. The number of games will vary based on file size, formatting, other programs, and factors.
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How to check for Xbox Smart Delivery

Look for the Smart Delivery icon on the exact game’s store page or packaging. Xbox says that when a title has this icon, the upgraded version is free when available. The feature is title-specific: developers decide whether their games use it. Xbox described that developer choice in its Smart Delivery announcement; its Xbox Series X|S optimization page explains the icon.

Do not treat Xbox One backward compatibility or an “optimized” label by itself as proof of a free upgrade. Xbox says selected Xbox One games run on Series X|S, but compatibility does not establish that a separate optimized version is included. Check the title’s Smart Delivery status and terms: Xbox backward compatibility information.

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Check whether your console can use the disc

  • PS4 disc: A disc-based PS5 is required for the disc upgrade, and the disc must remain inserted to play the upgraded digital game.
  • Xbox disc: Xbox Series S is digital-only, so it cannot use physical Xbox game discs. A disc copy is not a workable purchase for that console.

For either platform, include hardware and account or region restrictions in your decision—not just the sticker price.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Compare the total cost before buying

Compare the discounted edition plus any upgrade charge with the price of buying the PS5 or Xbox Series X|S edition directly. Include any offer deadline, disc-drive requirement, and account or region condition. This is a calculation to make with the live listings at purchase time; store prices and eligibility can change, and no particular current sale price is established here.

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  • Officially licensed M.2 SSD for PlayStation 5 consoles[4] so you can easily install and play with no concern of compatibility. [4]For PlayStation 5 system software compatibility, please visit the official WD_BLACK site.
  • With capacities ranging from 1TB to 8TB[1], your PS5 console has the additional space to store up to 200 games[3] (8TB model) [1]1GB = 1 billion bytes and 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment. [3] Number of games based on a 36GB average per game. The number of games will vary based on file size, formatting, other programs, and factors.
  • Experience uninterrupted gameplay with a brand-new, optimized heatsink designed especially for the PS5 console for an easy, worry-free installation into the M.2 slot.
  • Play directly from the drive and eliminate the need to transfer or delete games from your console with tested and approved storage for your PS5 console[4].
  • Push the envelope of PCIe Gen 4 technology with read speeds up to 7,300MB/s[2], giving you seamless gameplay and incredibly short load times. [2]1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.

Older official examples are not a substitute for checking today’s listing. PlayStation’s 2020 FAQ named Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Sackboy: A Big Adventure as PS4 games then offering PS5 upgrades at no additional cost. That historical offer does not confirm current terms for a purchase. The same FAQ’s statistic that more than 99% of 4,000-plus PS4 games were compatible with PS5 referred to compatibility, not free-upgrade eligibility: PlayStation’s 2020 PS5 FAQ.

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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.

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