If you’ve recently upgraded to a PlayStation 5 and can’t wait to jump back into high-octane soccer-car matches, you’ve probably asked does rocket league have a ps5 version at least once while scrolling through your game library. As a long-time Rocket League player who switched from PS4 to PS5 two years ago, I’ve tested every version of the game on Sony’s latest console, from backward compatible runs to the official next-gen release. I’ll break down everything you need to know, from upgrade eligibility to hidden features most players miss, so you can get the best possible experience every time you queue for a match.
Does Rocket League Have a PS5 Version: Official Next-Gen Release Details
The short answer is yes, Rocket League has a fully native PS5 version that was released by developer Psyonix in late 2022, replacing the older backward compatible PS4 version that many players used in the first two years of the PS5’s lifecycle. The native version was built from the ground up to take advantage of the PS5’s more powerful hardware, so it delivers far better performance and extra features you won’t get from running the PS4 copy on your new console. You don’t need to buy a separate copy of Rocket League to play the official PS5 version if you already owned the game on PS4 before it went free-to-play. Even if you’re a new player who never bought the PS4 copy, you can download the PS5 version completely for free from the PlayStation Store, since Rocket League switched to a free-to-play model back in 2020. If you have a physical PS4 copy of the game, you can still upgrade to the digital PS5 version for free, as long as you have a PS5 with a disc drive to insert the original disc when you play.
Key PS5-Exclusive Features You’ll Get With the Native Version
The biggest draw of the native PS5 version is the massive performance boost over the old PS4 build, but there are a handful of other exclusive features that make the upgrade worth it even if you only play casual matches with friends. 4K/120 FPS support is the biggest upgrade for competitive players, as it cuts input lag drastically and makes fast-paced plays feel far more responsive. On the PS4 version, you were limited to 1080p at 60 FPS, which felt smooth at the time, but you’ll notice the difference immediately once you try the PS5 version, especially when going for aerials or tight dribbles. All of these features are only available on the native PS5 version, not the backward compatible PS4 build:
How to Upgrade to the PS5 Version of Rocket League (Step-by-Step)
Upgrading to the native PS5 version only takes a few minutes, even if you’ve been playing the backward compatible PS4 version on your console for months. If you own a digital copy of Rocket League from the PS4 era, first head to your PS5 game library, find the Rocket League tile, and select the three small dots next to the game title. From there, select “View Product” and you’ll see both the PS4 and PS5 versions listed; choose the PS5 version and hit download. The file is roughly 25 GB, so it won’t take long even on a slower internet connection. Make sure you set the PS5 version as your default launch option after downloading, otherwise your console might still open the PS4 backward compatible version by default. If you have a physical PS4 copy of Rocket League, just insert the disc into your PS5’s disc drive, head to the Rocket League game hub, and select the free upgrade offer that appears at the top of the page. Download the PS5 version, and you’ll just need to keep the PS4 disc inserted every time you want to play, same as any other disc-based upgrade. For new players who never owned the PS4 version, you can skip all these steps and just search for Rocket League on the PlayStation Store, select the PS5 version, and download it for free directly. Your cross-platform progression will also sync automatically, so you can keep playing with friends on Xbox, Switch, or PC without losing any progress. All your ranks, car customizations, and in-game items will carry over immediately as long as you’re logged into the same Epic Games account you use for cross-play.
Common PS5 Version Issues and How to Fix Them
The PS5 version of Rocket League is very stable for most players, but there are a handful of common issues that pop up for new upgraders, most of which have simple fixes. The most frequent complaint is unexpected frame rate drops, even on high-end TVs that support 120 FPS. In almost every case, this is caused by incorrect console settings, not a bug in the game. Head to your PS5’s “Screen and Video” settings, make sure “120 Hz Output” is set to “Automatic”, then go into Rocket League’s in-game settings and set the frame rate limit to 120 FPS and turn performance mode on. Most frame rate issues on the PS5 version come from incorrect console settings, not the game itself, so double check your display settings before reporting a bug. Another common issue is missing haptic feedback or adaptive trigger support. If you’re not feeling any feedback when you boost or hit the ball, first check that you’re using an official DualSense controller, not a third-party PS4 or third-party PS5 controller, which don’t support these features. If you are using an official controller, head to your PS5’s “Accessories” settings, select “Controllers”, and make sure haptic feedback and adaptive trigger intensity are turned up to at least medium. I ran into this issue myself when I first upgraded, and it turned out I had turned adaptive triggers off for a different shooting game and forgot to turn them back on. If your save data doesn’t transfer over from your PS4, first make sure you’re logged into the same PSN and Epic Games accounts you used on your old console. If you still don’t see your progress, you can upload your PS4 save data to the cloud from your old console, then download it to your PS5, or reach out to Psyonix support for help recovering your account if you no longer have access to your PS4.
At the end of the day, if you were still asking does rocket league have a ps5 version, the answer is a resounding yes, and it’s well worth taking the few minutes to download or upgrade if you haven’t already. The performance improvements alone make it a no-brainer for competitive players looking to climb the ranks, and the extra immersion features make casual matches with friends feel far more fun. If you run into any snags during the upgrade process, don’t hesitate to check the official Rocket League forums for fixes from other players who’ve run into the same issues. Now go queue up for a match, and enjoy the smoother, faster experience on your PS5.
