Minecraft remains one of the most popular video games of all time, with over 140 million monthly active users as of 2022. With the launch of the PlayStation 5 in 2020, many Minecraft fans have been wondering – will there be a native PS5 edition of the game?
While there is no official PS5 version of Minecraft yet, you can play Minecraft on a PS5 through backwards compatibility. This means you can insert the PS4 disc or access the digital version if you previously purchased Minecraft for PS4.
Playing Minecraft on PS5 vs PS4
Thanks to the PS5‘s more powerful hardware, the PS4 version of Minecraft sees notable improvements when running via backwards compatibility on the next-gen console:
- Higher resolutions – Up to 4K on PS5 versus 1080p on PS4
- Higher frame rates – Up to 60fps on PS5 versus 30fps on PS4
- Faster load times – General performance benefits from PS5 SSD
So while there is no specific optimization or upgrade for PS5, you still get an enhanced Minecraft experience simply by playing the PS4 game on new hardware.
Minecraft on PS5: Bedrock vs Java Edition
When it comes to Minecraft, there are two main versions of the game – Bedrock Edition and Java Edition:
- Bedrock Edition – Designed for consoles and mobile. Offered on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile.
- Java Edition – Original PC version with more mods and customization. Only available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
The PlayStation consoles use the Bedrock version. So Minecraft for PS4 and the backwards compatible PS5 edition are both running Minecraft Bedrock. This offers cross-platform play with other Bedrock versions, but lacks some of the customization of the Java PC edition.
Will There Ever Be a Native Minecraft for PS5?
There has been no official announcement of a uniquely optimized Minecraft experience built specifically for PS5 hardware. However, a native PS5 edition makes a great deal of sense and would likely arrive eventually based on a few key factors:
- Minecraft‘s enduring popularity and status as a must-have game for any new platform.
- Sony‘s incentive to entice PS4 Minecraft players to upgrade to PS5.
- Microsoft‘s commitment to expanding Minecraft, even on rival platforms like PlayStation.
While timings are always hard to predict, speculation points to a PS5 edition of Minecraft launching within the new few years. This would align with the typical console generational shift timeline we‘ve seen in the past. An educated guess would expect the PS5 version of Minecraft to release sometime between late 2023 and 2025.
How Does Minecraft on PS5 Compare to Xbox Series X?
With Microsoft owning Minecraft developer Mojang, Xbox platforms often get preferential treatment and early access to new Minecraft updates. At the launch of the Xbox Series X in 2020, an optimized version was released offering the following upgrades:
- 4K resolution at 60 FPS
- Ray tracing support
- Faster load times from the SSD
From a technical standpoint, the PS5 hardware matches or exceeds the Xbox Series X in areas like GPU power, SSD speed, and memory bandwidth. So if a PS5 edition arrives, we can expect near-parity with the Series X version in terms of performance capabilities.
Could Minecraft on PS5 Support Ray Tracing?
Ray tracing is an advanced lighting technique that brings next-level realism and immersion to games. The Xbox Series X edition of Minecraft was one of the first console games to tout ray tracing support.
Despite Sony not pushing ray tracing as heavily as Microsoft, the PS5 hardware is capable of ray traced graphics. Several PS5 games have implemented ray tracing already, like Spiderman: Miles Morales.
If a uniquely optimized PS5 version of Minecraft does arrive, ray tracing support seems like an obvious inclusion to take advantage of the new console‘s capabilities. This would help the PS5 edition stand out and show graphical parity with the Xbox Series X.
Benefits of PS5 Hardware for Minecraft
Even without specific optimizations, the base PS5 hardware provides benefits for running Minecraft compared to the last-gen PlayStation 4:
- SSD – Faster solid state storage cuts loading times significantly.
- Improved CPU – Boosts performance for smoother gameplay.
- Higher Memory Bandwidth – Critical for expansive worlds and textures.
- Upgraded GPU – Enables 4K gaming and advanced graphics options.
These hardware advantages already offer a compelling reason to play Minecraft on PS5. But an edition tailored to leverage the PS5 architecture could push the experience even further in the future.
Will Minecraft Stay on PlayStation Long-Term?
When Microsoft purchased Minecraft developer Mojang for $2.5 billion in 2014, some fans understandably wondered if the game would remain on other platforms like PlayStation. However, Microsoft has kept its promise to continue supporting Minecraft across all platforms.
In 2022, Minecraft remains fully available on PlayStation and Nintendo systems. And Microsoft has given no indication they plan to change this approach anytime soon. The company likely sees the value in keeping Minecraft accessible across the entire gaming ecosystem.
With the game still immensely popular and profitable years later, there is little incentive for Microsoft to pull Minecraft from competing consoles. The game will almost certainly continue to have a stable home on PlayStation platforms well into the future.
Is Minecraft on PS5 Worth Upgrading From PS4?
For dedicated Minecraft players, moving from a PS4 to PS5 can definitely be worthwhile for multiple reasons:
- Improved 4K visuals and faster 60 FPS gameplay
- Faster loading from the PS5 SSD
- Likely future support for PS5-exclusive features like ray tracing
- Access to other compelling PS5 gaming experiences
Casual Minecraft users may be fine continuing on PS4, especially while supply constraints make the PS5 hard to acquire. But for serious Minecraft builders and hardcore players putting in hours of game time, the enhancements provided by PS5 will offer a meaningful upgrade.
Should You Wait for a PS5 Minecraft Edition?
While the PS4 version on PS5 still provides a great experience, waiting for an optimized next-gen release could be worthwhile if you aren‘t in a rush. Here are some reasons to potentially wait:
- Maximized enhancements tailored for PS5
- Possible ray tracing support down the road
- New PS5-exclusive gameplay features or changes
- Can focus time/budget on other games for now
Again predicting an exact release timeframe is difficult, but a PS5 edition likely isn‘t too far off. Unless you need to upgrade to PS5 immediately for other games, holding off to play the new native version of Minecraft could be a viable option.
The Bottom Line – Minecraft on PS5
While PlayStation 5 owners anxiously await an official next-gen Minecraft release, the PS4 version via backwards compatibility still provides enhancements over last-gen systems. And Microsoft seems committed to continuing support across PlayStation consoles for years to come.
For Minecraft fans, the PS5 offers both immediate benefits for existing versions and will very likely receive an optimized edition down the road. So both new and existing players can expect to keep enjoying Minecraft on PlayStation as the platform continues to evolve.
