Can You Play The Last Of Us On PS5?

Yes, you can play The Last Of Us on PS5 through the PS5 remake, PS4 versions, and the newer Part II releases.

The question “Can you play The Last Of Us on PS5?” comes up often for new console owners, since the series spans the PS3, PS4, and PS5 generations. The good news is that Sony made the PS5 welcoming to older titles, and that includes every mainline entry in The Last Of Us series.

You can run a modern PS5 remake, pick up cheaper PS4 editions through backward compatibility, or jump straight to The Last Of Us Part II Remastered. Each route has different costs, visual upgrades, and small quirks. This guide walks through every way to play, how disc and digital versions behave, and how to pick the right edition for your setup.

Playing The Last Of Us On PS5: All Current Options

The answer to whether you can play The Last Of Us on PS5 breaks down into several concrete options. Each one gives you the same core story about Joel and Ellie, but with different visuals, performance modes, and price points.

The Last Of Us Part I (PS5) — Native PS5 remake of the original story, sold on disc and digital, with upgraded visuals, DualSense features, and short loading times.
The Last Of Us Remastered (PS4) — PS4 version that runs on PS5 through backward compatibility, usually cheaper on sale and still sharper than the original PS3 release.
The Last Of Us Part II (PS4) — PS4 sequel that runs on PS5 with a performance patch for smoother frame rates, ideal if you already own it.
The Last Of Us Part II Remastered (PS5) — Native PS5 edition with higher resolution modes, a roguelike mode, and various quality-of-life upgrades.

Sony explains on its PS5 backward compatibility guide that the console works with more than 4,000 PS4 games, which includes The Last Of Us Remastered and the original PS4 release of Part II.¹ That means your existing PS4 library still matters on PS5, whether you own discs or digital copies.

What About The Original PS3 Version?

The original PS3 disc for The Last Of Us does not run directly on PS5 hardware. A PS5 console cannot read PS3 game discs, so you cannot slot the PS3 version into the drive and start playing. To experience the original story on PS5, you either need The Last Of Us Remastered on PS4 or The Last Of Us Part I on PS5.

Which Version Of The Last Of Us Should You Buy On PS5?

If you are starting from scratch and want the cleanest way to play The Last Of Us on PS5, the modern PS5 remake is usually the best pick. That said, PS4 editions still hold up well and may fit a tighter budget, especially during sales.

Quick Comparison Of The Main Editions

Edition	Runs On PS5 As	Best For
The Last Of Us Part I (PS5)	Native PS5 game	New players who want the sharpest visuals and DualSense features
The Last Of Us Remastered (PS4)	PS4 game through backward compatibility	Players who value lower price over the latest graphics
The Last Of Us Part II Remastered (PS5)	Native PS5 game	Fans who want the sequel with extra modes and upgraded visuals

New to the series: Go with The Last Of Us Part I on PS5. It retells the original story with rebuilt character models, richer lighting, and performance modes tuned for PS5 hardware.²

On a tight budget: Watch for discounts on The Last Of Us Remastered on PS4. Because the PS5 treats it like any other PS4 title, you can run it without issues, and the game still looks clean at higher resolutions.

Already finished Part I: The Last Of Us Part II Remastered on PS5 is a strong follow-up. It includes a No Return roguelike mode, a guitar free play mode, and updates like a Chronological Mode that rearranges the story order in a new way.³

Physical Disc Buyer Versus Digital Buyer

Your best choice can shift slightly depending on whether your PS5 has a disc drive. Disc players can mix old PS4 discs with newer PS5 discs, while the Digital Edition locks you into downloads from the PlayStation Store.

PS5 With Disc Drive — You can buy PS4 discs for The Last Of Us Remastered and The Last Of Us Part II, then upgrade to PS5 versions where offered, or switch to PS5 discs later.
PS5 Digital Edition — You need digital purchases only. That means PS4 digital versions for backward compatible play and PS5 digital versions for Part I and Part II Remastered.

How Backward Compatibility Lets You Play The Last Of Us On PS5

The largest source of confusion around playing The Last Of Us on PS5 is how backward compatibility works in practice. Once you see the basic steps, it feels pretty simple.

Playing The Last Of Us Remastered On PS5

Quick check: Any PS5 model runs PS4 games, but the steps vary slightly depending on whether you own a disc or a digital copy of The Last Of Us Remastered.

If you own the PS4 disc — Insert the disc into a PS5 with a drive, wait for the game to appear on the home screen, then choose it and start the download or install process.
If you own the digital PS4 copy — Open the Game Library on PS5, look under your purchased titles, select The Last Of Us Remastered, and start the download.
If you are buying today — Purchase The Last Of Us Remastered from the PlayStation Store as a PS4 title, then install it directly on your PS5.

Sony explains that more than 99% of PS4 games run on PS5 through this route, which includes both first party and third party titles.⁴ That is why The Last Of Us Remastered and the original PS4 release of Part II drop straight into place on the newer console.

Playing The Last Of Us Part II On PS5

The original PS4 edition of The Last Of Us Part II also runs on PS5 as a backward compatible title. A performance patch lets that version reach higher frame rates on PS5 hardware, which makes the game feel smoother during tense fights.

There is also a remastered PS5 edition of Part II. Owners of the PS4 version can pay a small fee to move up to the native PS5 release, which adds new modes and broader visual upgrades.⁵ For players who already own the PS4 version, this path gives strong value without buying the full game again at list price.

Disc Versus Digital PS5: What Changes For The Last Of Us

Choosing between a PS5 with a disc drive and the Digital Edition shapes how you play The Last Of Us, especially if you already own older discs.

PS5 With Disc Drive

Physical library friendly: If you collected PS4 discs, this version of the console lets you bring them across. That includes The Last Of Us Remastered and The Last Of Us Part II. The console installs the game to internal storage but still checks for the disc before you can play.

Re-use existing discs — Insert PS4 discs and install the games instead of rebuying them digitally.
Use second hand copies — Shop for used copies of The Last Of Us games to save money, then install them on your PS5.
Upgrade to PS5 editions — Where Sony and Naughty Dog offer paid PS5 upgrades, you can place the PS4 disc in the drive to access the lower cost upgrade path.

PS5 Digital Edition

Download only setup: If your PS5 is the Digital Edition, the only way to play The Last Of Us is through digital purchases or subscription access. PS4 discs do not work with this console, even if you previously owned them.

Stick to digital sales — Watch the PlayStation Store for deals on The Last Of Us Part I, Remastered, and Part II Remastered.
Use cloud storage — Move your PS4 save files to the cloud on an older console, then sync them to your PS5 so you can continue progress.
Check subscription catalogs — At times, The Last Of Us titles appear in PS Plus Extra or the top tier catalog, which can be a cost-effective way to play.

Performance Settings And Features When You Play On PS5

One of the best reasons to play The Last Of Us on PS5 is the set of performance modes and console features that make the games smoother and more responsive.

Performance And Fidelity Modes

The Last Of Us Part I and Part II Remastered both include multiple performance presets on PS5. That usually means a choice between higher resolution modes, smooth frame rate targets, and, in some cases, unlocked frame rates on compatible screens.

Fidelity style modes — Aim for higher resolution and more visual detail at a lower fixed frame rate.
Performance style modes — Aim for a higher frame rate with lowered resolution, which often feels better during fast combat segments.
Unlocked frame rate options — On displays that handle variable refresh rates, the games can run above their normal targets for smoother motion.

Small tweak tip: If you care most about smooth camera movement and responsive aiming, start with a performance mode, then turn on motion blur and camera shake settings you find comfortable.

DualSense Features And Load Times

The PS5 versions of The Last Of Us make good use of the DualSense controller. Triggers add resistance when you fire weapons or draw a bow, while haptic feedback underlines explosions, rain, and footsteps on different surfaces.

Short loading times also change the feel of these games on PS5. Fast travel between checkpoints, quick restarts after defeat, and reduced downtime during chapter reloads help the story feel more continuous, especially during tense sections.

Save Files, Upgrades, And PS Plus Access

For many players, the biggest practical concern is how progress and purchases carry over from PS4. The Last Of Us series handles this smoothly, as long as you follow a few straightforward steps.

Moving Save Files From PS4 To PS5

Deeper fix: If you want to continue an existing playthrough on PS5, move your save files before you uninstall the PS4 versions.

Use the same PSN account — Sign in on PS5 with the same account that owns your PS4 copies of The Last Of Us games.
Upload saves from PS4 — On your old console, upload The Last Of Us saves to cloud storage or transfer them over local network.
Download saves on PS5 — On the PS5, download those saves for each game, then load them once you have installed the PS4 or PS5 editions.

Upgrade Paths And Subscription Options

Upgrade programs add another layer of choice. Owners of The Last Of Us Part II on PS4 can move up to the PS5 remaster for a lower one-time fee instead of buying a fresh PS5 copy, as confirmed by Naughty Dog and Sony announcements.⁵

The availability of The Last Of Us games in PS Plus Extra or the top tier changes over time. When a title appears in the catalog, you can install it on PS5 and play as long as it stays in the library and your subscription remains active. If you want permanent access, buying your own copy is still the safer long term plan.

Choosing The Best Way To Play The Last Of Us On PS5

By this point, the question “Can you play The Last Of Us on PS5?” turns into a more practical one: which route fits your hardware, budget, and patience for visual upgrades.

Simple Recommendations For Different Players

Brand new to the series — Start with The Last Of Us Part I on PS5, then continue straight into The Last Of Us Part II Remastered on the same console.
Returning PS4 player with discs — Install Remastered and the original Part II on your PS5, then take the paid upgrade for Part II Remastered if you want the new modes.
Digital only player — Watch store sales for PS5 editions, and sample any The Last Of Us titles that cycle through PS Plus Extra or the highest tier.
Story first player — Pick performance modes that keep frame rates high for smooth gameplay so that combat never distracts from the narrative.

Whichever route you choose, the PS5 gives you several clean ways to keep The Last Of Us in your rotation. Whether you are stepping into the world for the first time or replaying it with new modes and higher frame rates, the console handles every main entry in the series with room to spare.

Can You Play The Last Of Us On PS5? | PS5 Play Options