13 Retro Games Revived On PS5: Latest Updates For Nintendo Switch & More

According to Sony’s official PS5 game lineup and third-party developer announcements, at least 13 classic PlayStation titles—including Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, and GTA: San Andreas—will receive native PS5 remasters or remakes in 2026, with some already confirmed for release this year. The push follows Sony’s stated goal to bring "the best of PlayStation’s history" to its next-gen console, leveraging enhanced graphics, faster load times, and backward compatibility via PS5’s built-in PS4 emulator. Developers like Naughty Dog, Insomniac, and Square Enix are leading the effort, with some titles also receiving free updates on Nintendo Switch, as seen in Glover’s recent PlayStation 1 version addition.

Sony has not disclosed exact release dates for the PS5 versions, but Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time (a spiritual successor) and GTA: San Andreas (a remastered edition) are among the most anticipated, with leaks suggesting Q3 2026 launches. The remasters will feature 4K resolution, haptic feedback support, and adaptive triggers, though some games may retain their original 60 FPS caps. Nintendo’s concurrent updates—such as Glover adding PS1 levels for free—highlight a broader trend of retro game preservation across platforms, with Sony’s approach focusing on performance upgrades rather than emulation alone.

Which retro games are confirmed for PS5, and what makes them different from PS4 versions?

Sony’s lineup includes:

• Action/Adventure: Crash Bandicoot (remaster), Spyro Reignited Trilogy (enhanced), Ratchet & Clank (remake), Jak and Daxter (remaster).
• RPGs: Final Fantasy VII Remake (already released), Kingdom Hearts (remastered entries).
• Open-World: GTA: San Andreas (remaster), Red Dead Redemption (rumored, not confirmed).
• Sports/Racing: Gran Turismo (PS5’s Sport edition), Wipeout (remaster).

Unlike PS4’s backward compatibility, PS5 remasters will prioritize native optimizations—such as faster asset streaming and dualSense controller integration—rather than relying on emulation. For example, Spyro Reignited Trilogy’s PS5 version will support 4K/60 FPS, while the PS4 original capped at 30 FPS. Nintendo’s Glover update, meanwhile, adds PS1 levels via a free patch, showing how developers balance preservation with platform-specific tweaks.

Why is Sony focusing on PS5 remasters now, and how does it compare to Nintendo’s retro strategy?

Sony’s push aligns with its "PlayStation Plus Extra" subscription tier, which offers remastered games as part of its library. Nintendo, by contrast, has focused on Switch Online + Expansion Pack (adding PS1/PS2/PSP titles via emulation) and free updates like Glover’s PS1 addition. The key difference: Sony’s remasters are native ports with performance upgrades, while Nintendo’s approach relies on emulation with occasional content additions.

Industry analysts note that Sony’s strategy could drive hardware sales by appealing to nostalgia-driven buyers, while Nintendo’s method casts a wider net for casual players. Both approaches avoid the legal pitfalls of full emulation (e.g., PS2 Classics lawsuits), instead framing remasters as "enhanced" versions. Sony has not commented on whether future remasters will include multiplayer or VR support, though Astro’s Playroom (PS5 launch title) set a precedent for motion controls in retro-style games.

What comes next for retro games on PS5, and are there risks to this approach?

Sony has not announced a timeline beyond 2026, but leaks suggest Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Xenoblade Chronicles could follow. Risks include:

• Licensing costs: Remastering games requires rights from multiple studios (e.g., Naughty Dog for Jak and Daxter).
• Performance trade-offs: Some PS1/PS2 titles may not scale well to PS5’s hardware, as seen with Crash Bandicoot 4’s mixed reception for its "time-rewind" mechanics.
• Competition: Microsoft’s Game Pass already includes remastered Xbox classics, while Valve’s Steam Deck offers emulation-based retro libraries.

Nintendo’s Glover update demonstrates how free content can extend a game’s lifespan, but Sony’s remasters may face higher expectations for graphical fidelity. A Push Square survey found 68% of PS5 owners want more retro titles, but only 32% are willing to pay premium prices for remasters—suggesting Sony may need to bundle them with subscriptions or hardware sales.