Is Fallout 4 60fps on PlayStation 5?
No, as of now the PlayStation 4 version of Fallout 4 played on PS5 is capped at 30 frames per second. A next-generation upgrade coming later this year will unlock 60fps gameplay for Fallout 4 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles.
Native Backward Compatibility Limits Fallout 4 to 30fps
When you insert the Fallout 4 PS4 disc into your PlayStation 5 or download it from the PlayStation Store, you are playing the base PlayStation 4 version of the game running in backward compatibility mode.
Backward compatibility allows PS5 to play PS4 games natively without any special enhancement patches. This means PS4 games you play on PS5 run with the exact same performance at the same resolutions and graphics settings.
So because Fallout 4 is locked at 30fps on PlayStation 4, the PS5 cannot automatically boost its framerate higher in backward compatibility. 30fps is the performance ceiling for Fallout 4‘s PS4 code without a proper next-gen upgrade patch.
This differs from Microsoft‘s FPS Boost feature on Xbox Series X/S which uses emulation techniques to force unlocked framerates in backward compatible games. As Digital Foundry‘s John Linneman stated on Twitter, there is "no equivalent tech on PlayStation" currently.
| Platform | Backwards Compatibility FPS |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | Capped at base PS4 performance |
| Xbox Series X/S | FPS Boost unlocks higher FPS |
So in summary, while Xbox Series X can play Fallout 4 at 60fps via FPS Boost today, PlayStation 5 owners are still limited to 30fps when running the PS4 app in backward compatibility mode.
Next-Gen Upgrade Will Launch 60fps Gameplay in 2024
Thankfully for PS5 owners, publisher Bethesda has announced a major next-generation upgrade for Fallout 4 is in development, targeting release in 2024.
This free upgrade for Fallout 4 promises to enable buttery smooth 60 frames per second gameplay through optimized new-gen console ports. Not only that, 4K resolution will also be supported along with new Creation Club content additions.
"We‘re excited to announce that later this year, Fallout 4 will be coming to Xbox Series X|S & PlayStation 5 consoles!" – Official Bethesda Twitter
Based on Digital Foundry‘s excellent tech analysis video of the Skyrim Anniversary Edition upgrade‘s leap from 30fps to 60fps on PlayStation 5, we should expect a similarly transformative enhancement once Fallout 4 drops its next-gen patch.
I distinctly remember moving from PS4 to PS5 and still being bummed Fallout 4 felt so sluggish compared to buttery games like Ratchet & Clank at 60fps+. The next-gen patch will change that entirely!
| Fallout 4 on PS5 Now (Backwards Compatibility) | Fallout 4 Next-Gen Upgrade | |
|---|---|---|
| Framerate | 30fps | 60fps |
| Resolution | 1080p | 4K |
| Graphics | PS4 Visuals | Potential Ray Tracing? |
My Thoughts as Passionate Wasteland Wanderer
As someone with 500+ hours exploring Fallout 4 on PlayStation platforms, I could not be more hyped for this next-gen upgrade arriving in 2024. The jump from 30fps to 60fps completely transforms the feel of first person gameplay.
Everything becomes so much more fluid and responsive at higher framerates. Traversing the detailed wastelands of Boston while gunning down hordes of ferals and super mutants will feel better than ever!
Combine those major framerate improvements with the potential for stunning, upgraded visuals taking advantage of PS5 and Xbox Series X power and Fallout 4 might feel like an entirely new generation remaster this year.
Will we get fancy features like ray tracing reflections added too? As Digital Foundry pointed out in their own Twitter speculation, the Fallout games could lend themselves nicely to advanced graphics upgrades.
One thing is certain – with Game Pass bringing so many new Xbox gamers into Bethesda‘s iconic worlds and the PS5 userbase rapidly growing, there has never been a better time for updated Fallout and Elder Scrolls experiences. Bring on 60fps Fallout later this year!
