What Spider-Man Games Are Backwards Compatible on the PS5?

The PlayStation 5 console sets a new standard for playing previous generation games thanks to exceptional backwards compatibility support. For iconic PlayStation franchises like Spider-Man, this means you can experience the highly acclaimed recent games while benefiting from the PS5‘s incredible graphical power and ultra-fast loading.

Clear Overview on Spider-Man Game PS5 Backwards Compatibility

Below is the current status on what Spider-Man games can be played on the PlayStation 5 via backwards compatibility:

As shown, the only Spider-Man games currently backwards compatible on PS5 are Marvel‘s Spider-Man (2018) and Marvel‘s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Support is limited to more recent PS4 titles only.

Marvel‘s Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales See Huge Improvements on PS5

Marvel‘s Spider-Man on PS4 was already an gorgeous, critically-acclaimed showcase for the franchise. But loading up the PS5 remastered version showcases just how mammoth the next generation leap truly is.

Everything from the intricately detailed city environment to Spider-Man‘s character model itself benefits enormously from enhancements only possible with PS5 hardware:

• Display Resolution boosted to native 4K dynamic resolution at 60 FPS
• Far superior texture quality, materials, level of detail density
• Added ambient shadows, ray-traced reflections, ambient occlusion effects
• Character model for Peter Parker / Spider-Man enhanced with new skin & eye shaders

As analyzed by Digital Foundry, these remastered visuals combined with the PS5 solid state drive‘s near instant load times creates an unparalleled Spider-Man gameplay experience. Swinging through a graphically jaw-dropping Manhattan rendered in stunning 4K HDR at a flawlessly smooth 60 frames per second is an absolute joy.

The vibrant, colorful aesthetic of Spider-Man has never popped off the screen like this before. It feels like the definitive way to enjoy Insomniac‘s beloved Marvel adaptation going forward thanks to PS5 backwards compatibility support.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales Also Shines on PS5 with 4K60, Ray Tracing

Alongside the Spider-Man PS5 remaster, Spider-Man: Miles Morales also takes full advantage of next generation capabilities for a sensational follow-up adventure:

• Native 4K resolution at 60 FPS with ray tracing reflections enabled
• Spatial 3D audio support via Tempest 3D engine
• DualSense controller haptic feedback deepens immersion into Miles‘s powers
• Practically non-existent load times to fast travel across any area of the map

Getting a silky smooth 60 frames per second with ray tracing in a graphically intense open world brawler seemed unthinkable just a few years ago. Yet here Spider-Man: Miles Morales makes it look easy even rendering in full 4K resolution.

Between the two titles, PlayStation 5 cements itself as far and away the best platform to enjoy Insomniac‘s sensational Spider-Man series. Their already phenomenal PS4 versions realize their full visual potential through PS5 backwards compatibility support.

Comparing Xbox Series X/S Backwards Compatibility for Spider-Man

Thus far, Sony has outpaced Microsoft when it comes to enhancing previous Spider-Man games for next generation consoles.

While Xbox Series X and Series S provide general backwards compatibility for select Xbox One / Xbox 360 Spider-Man titles, they do not receive remotely the same level of remastering treatment. There are currently no optimized or graphically enhanced versions of Spider-Man games for Xbox Series X|S.

Instead, Series X/S simply leverage "Compatible Mode" to play last-gen Spider-Man titles in a more stable fashion with some minor performance gains. But image quality, textures, load times all remain virtually unchanged from the original Xbox One releases.

As a result, PlayStation 5 remains the foremost destination for experiencing Spider-Man‘s library including his latest acclaimed adventures by Insomniac Games. Sony is clearly more heavily invested and engaged with optimizing its cornerstone exclusives like Spider-Man for next-gen.

Hopes for Future Backwards Compatible Spider-Man Games

While the current PS5 compatibility situation covers the most recent Spider-Man blockbusters, it would be tremendous to see support extended to past PlayStation exclusives one day.

Titles like Spider-Man 2 and Ultimate Spider-Man have ardent fanbases eager to re-experience these classics on modern hardware. Having them playable in 4K resolution at smooth 60FPS with PS5 load times would be an absolute joy.

One superb option would be "remaster collections" bundling together updated ports of classic Spider-Man PlayStation games, similar to Crash and Spyro Reignited Trilogy compilations.

Regardless, Insomniac‘s upcoming Spider-Man 2 for 2023 will without question flex the full muscle of PS5 hardware for showcasing the most sensational Spider-Man console outing yet. But the backwards compatibility foundations already provide phenomenal added value for revisiting this beloved super hero‘s previous interactive exploits with substantial upgrades throughout.