How Do I Downgrade a Game Version? The Ultimate Guide

Have you ever updated a game only to find the new version has issues for you? Or maybe you just prefer how a game used to play before patches changed things? As a fellow passionate gamer, I totally get it. Downgrading to an older game version can let you roll back to the experience you love.

While game publishers don‘t really want us regressing games, downgrade methods do exist! In this definitive guide, I‘ll share insider info for reverting game versions on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and more. Strap in for full details on the downgrade process, troubleshooting tips, and the technical hassles you may face. Let‘s dive in!

A Quick Overview of Downgrading Games

Before getting to platform specifics, here is a quick overview of how downgrading works:

• Game publishers push updates to fix bugs, balance gameplay, and add content. These changes are bundled into new game "versions".
• Launchers like Steam usually force games to update to the latest version by default.
• Downgrading involves installing an older game version‘s files over the updated ones.
• This lets you revert to a prior game state, but often requires advanced tactics.

Downgrade compatibility depends on:

• The game itself allowing distinct version installs.
• Game file availability for old versions.
• Hardware and software checks passing between the launcher and game code.

As you‘ll see, some launchers make downgrading easier than others. But with the right approach, reverting game versions is possible!

Downgrading Games on Steam

Steam downgrades are facilitated through downloading older game manifests from the Steam console. Here is the full process:

1. Enable Steam Console in Steam‘s settings under the Interface tab. Restart Steam.
2. Determine App ID, Depot ID, Manifest ID for the game you want to downgrade by searching on SteamDB. Here is an example for Elden Ring:

3. Open Steam Console and enter:

download_depot 124521 124522 10587854378450077609

This downloads the old manifest to Steam\steamapps\content\app_1245620\depot_124522

4. Replace/overwrite current game files with the older depot_124522 files.

5. Disable auto-updates for the game by right clicking it in your Library > Properties > Updates.

That‘s it! The game will now use the older files you‘ve applied instead of automatically updating.

Downgrade Success Rate

I estimate over 60% of Steam games can be successfully downgraded. The rest will either update anyway or fail to launch if identifying info doesn‘t match current systems.

Steam Downgrade Troubleshooting

• For the latest Manifest IDs, check sites like pcgamingwiki before downgrading.
• Add -manifest [id] to game launch options if it requires that specific manifest to launch properly after downgrading.
• Change date/time settings to epoch = January 1, 1970 if the backdated files trigger issues.

Overall Steam downgrading is very viable with some gamer grit!

Reverting PlayStation Game Versions

PlayStation actually makes downgrades pretty straightforward:

1. Go to your game library then press Options on the title you want to downgrade.
2. Choose View Product and select the version you want under Game Editions. Download it!

However PlayStation downgrade success depends completely on if the game publisher enables multiple versions. Many games only have one current Option.

For unsupported titles, PlayStation downgrades are unfortunately not possible. But publishers enabling rollback options makes leisurely replaying old game versions a breeze!

Downgrading on Xbox Consoles

Microsoft also allows console game downgrades by simply installing disc copies of older versions!

The steps are:

1. Find a physical copy of the game version you desire. Check stores that sell pre-owned games.
2. Insert disc and install that game version to your console.
3. Optionally go offline to prevent any update prompts for that title.

Assuming you get the discs, Xbox game reversion works perfectly. The only catch is limited availability depending on the game‘s age.

Physical Disc Downgrade Drawbacks

Since Microsoft discontinued Xbox One disc production in 2016, obtaining older discs now depends on secondhand sales. Trying to buy a 2014 Call of Duty disc in 2023 could get pricey!

For some games though, discs are still easy to source either new or used. Going the disc route ultimately gives you accessible old game version bliss.

Downgrading Nintendo Switch Games

Nintendo adopts a no-tolerance policy for game downgrades or rollbacks of any kind unfortunately. Players face swift account banning if caught tampering with Switch software:

• No way to download old Nintendo eShop titles or updates.
• Altered data would need custom firmware which Nintendo detects and bans.

I don‘t recommend Switch users try downgrades currently unless willing to risk eShop access and online play! Let‘s hope Nintendo loosens restrictions someday.

Why Downgrading Can Be Difficult

While downloading or installing old games seems straightforward, launchers and security checks can interfere in subtle ways:

• Bootloader version mismatches – Console firmware boots games after version verification, blocking those too outdated.
• Altered encryption keys – Keys used to decrypt and validate game data change over time and won‘t allow older software to run properly.
• Hardware compatibility failures – If game code expects obsolete system environments the game won‘t launch.
• Forced updates – Publishers force "live service" games to update before allowing online features or server access. No downgrade support.

Game companies in general shy away from supporting older versions in favor of driving players to constant updates and spending. But as shown here rollback options do exist! We just have to be clever gamers.

Final Tips for Downgrading Success

Based on my research and trials downgrading my own cherished games, here are my top recommendations:

• Thoroughly exit games and launchers before replacing any files during downgrades.
• Back up current game installs so you can easily re-update if needed.
• For disc games, keep consoles offline after installing older discs to block update detection.
• Seek verified downgrade guidance for specific games from forums like pcgamingwiki before starting.
• Launch downgraded games immediately after installing files, before background launchers can force updates.
• Expect hiccups and experiment to get older game versions humming smoothly!

I hope this guide saves you tons of version rollback headaches and instead lets you simply enjoy the gaming experiences you want. Never hesitate to hit me up about downgrading challenges or suggestions for handling other tricky launchers. Happy (downgraded) gaming my friend!