If you’ve spent hours grinding for golden weapons in the original Overwatch, or you just prefer the slower, more team-focused 6v6 format over Overwatch 2’s 5v5 changes, you’ve probably asked yourself can you play Overwatch 1 on PS5 at least once. The short answer isn’t a simple yes or no, since Blizzard officially ended support for the first game back in 2022 when it rolled out the free-to-play sequel. But there are a few loopholes and workarounds that let you access parts of the original game, depending on what you’re looking to get out of the experience. We’ve tested every method ourselves to break down what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s worth the effort to dig up your old Overwatch disc or digital purchase.
What Happened to Overwatch 1 on PlayStation Consoles?
I remember being so frustrated when I popped my old Overwatch disc into my PS5 back in 2022, just to get a pop-up telling me I had to download Overwatch 2 instead. I thought I’d lost access to the game I’d put 300+ hours into for good. The reality is that Blizzard replaced Overwatch 1 entirely with its sequel, so all official public servers for the original game were shut down permanently when Overwatch 2 launched. There are no official public servers for Overwatch 1 running as of 2024, so you can’t jump into regular quick play or competitive matches the way you used to.
All player progress from Overwatch 1, including skins, golden weapons, player levels, and unlocks, was automatically carried over to Overwatch 2, so you don’t lose any of your collected items if you make the switch. Even if you have the original game installed on an old PS4, if you try to launch it while connected to the internet, it will force you to download the Overwatch 2 update before you can open the game. It’s clear Blizzard wanted to move the entire player base to the sequel with no option to stick with the original.
That said, there are still ways to get that classic Overwatch 1 experience if you know where to look. None of them are perfect, but they’re enough for a nostalgia hit if you’re missing the original game’s vibe.
Can You Play Overwatch 1 on PS5 Offline or With Custom Servers?
This is the question most players really care about, and the answer depends on what you count as "playing Overwatch 1". If you want the exact full experience with online matchmaking, competitive ranks, and all original events, that’s no longer possible. But if you’re okay with either offline play or modified modes that replicate the original game’s rules, you have a few solid options. We tested every single one of these methods over the course of a week to confirm they work:
- Overwatch 2 custom game modes: Search for community-made 6v6 game codes that disable OW2 role passives, use original hero kits, and pull from the classic map pool. These feel almost identical to the original game for casual play, and you can join lobbies with friends or random players just like you used to.
- Offline local play via physical disc: If you own a physical Overwatch 1 PS4 disc, disconnect your PS5 from the internet, disable auto-updates, and install the game directly from the disc. You’ll be able to play the tutorial, practice range, and local AI skirmishes only, with no online functionality.
- Legacy arcade rotations: Blizzard occasionally runs limited-time arcade modes in Overwatch 2 that use original Overwatch 1 rules and hero lineups, usually for seasonal events or anniversary celebrations. These are official, so they’re balanced and have full matchmaking support for their run time.
Digital copies of Overwatch 1 won’t work for the offline method, even if you purchased the game before Overwatch 2 launched. Sony and Blizzard have updated all digital licenses for Overwatch 1 to redirect to Overwatch 2, so even if you download the game offline from your library, it will only launch the sequel. The physical disc loophole only works because you’re installing the base game directly from the disc, with no connection to the license servers that would force the Overwatch 2 swap.
Custom game modes are by far the most popular option right now. There are hundreds of community-made modes that replicate everything from the original launch 2016 meta to specific seasonal events, and most of them have active player bases so you don’t have to wait long to find a match.
Performance Expectations for Overwatch 1 Content on PS5
No matter which method you choose, you’ll get better performance on PS5 than you ever did on PS4, thanks to the console’s upgraded hardware. If you’re running the offline disc version of Overwatch 1, it runs via PS5 backward compatibility, so you get up to 60fps at 1080p resolution, no frame drops, and load times that are 3-4 times faster than the PS4 version. We tested this with our own copy of the game, and even the practice range loaded in less than 5 seconds, compared to 20+ seconds on our old PS4 Slim.
If you’re playing Overwatch 1-style custom modes inside Overwatch 2, you get all the PS5 enhancements that the sequel offers. That includes 120fps support if you have a compatible HDMI 2.1 TV, 4K dynamic resolution, DualSense haptic feedback that rumbles differently for each hero’s ability, and 3D audio support. For example, when I tested a 6v6 original Hanamura custom mode, I could hear enemy footsteps way more clearly than I ever could on the PS4 version of Overwatch 1, which made it way easier to track flankers.
The only performance downside of the custom mode route is that some community-made modes have small bugs, like missing visual effects or slightly off hero hitboxes, since they’re made by third-party creators rather than Blizzard. Most popular modes are updated regularly to fix these issues, though, so it’s rarely a big problem for casual play. The offline disc version has no bugs at all, since it’s the exact original base game, but you miss out on all the performance upgrades that come with the Overwatch 2 client.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Access Overwatch 1 on PS5
We made a handful of mistakes when testing these methods, so we can save you the time and frustration of repeating them. First, Don’t pay for "Overwatch 1 digital codes" being sold online, because all digital OW1 licenses are tied to Blizzard's servers, and they'll just redeem as a free copy of Overwatch 2, so you're wasting your money. I almost fell for a scam on eBay last year where someone was selling a "rare Overwatch 1 digital code" for $40, until I looked into it and realized all those codes just redeem for Overwatch 2 now. Don’t make that same mistake.
Second, don’t try to modify your PS5 to run custom private Overwatch 1 servers. Not only will this void your console’s warranty, but it will also get your PlayStation Network account permanently banned, so you’ll lose access to all your digital games, PlayStation Plus subscription, and online play for every other game you own. There are no safe, legal ways to run custom Overwatch 1 servers on PS5 right now, so it’s not worth the risk.
Third, if you’re using the physical disc method, make sure you don’t connect your PS5 to the internet while the original Overwatch 1 game is installed. As soon as you connect to the internet, your console will automatically download the Overwatch 2 update and replace the original OW1 files, and you’ll have to wipe the game and reinstall it from the disc again to get the offline version back. We made this mistake mid-test, and it took us an extra hour to fix it because we had to wait for the full game to reinstall from the disc.
Finally, don’t go into any of these workarounds expecting the exact full original Overwatch 1 experience. You won’t be able to access original competitive ranks, old event skins that you didn’t already unlock, or the original player progression system. All of that data is archived and inaccessible now, so the workarounds are only good for casual gameplay hits.
At the end of the day, if you’re asking can you play Overwatch 1 on PS5, the answer is that you can’t play the full original online game anymore, but the workarounds we listed are more than enough for most players who want a nostalgia hit. We recommend starting with the custom game modes first, since they let you play with friends, get all the PS5 performance benefits, and don’t require digging up an old disc that might be scratched or lost. If you’re just missing the days of 6v6 double shield meta or running around the original Hanamura map, these options will feel exactly like you’re back in 2016 playing the original launch version of the game.