Homebrew developer sword_pdf announced that a modified PS5 can now read PS2 and PS3 game discs, decrypting and processing them to run the games. Upon first insertion, the system extracts and saves an image, after which the game launches from the console's internal storage.
This development targets modded consoles and is a demonstration by homebrew developers, not an official backward compatibility feature launched by Sony for retail PS5 units. Current information also does not provide a complete list of compatible games or individual test results.
Original PlayStation game discs use CD media, which the PS5's existing optical drive cannot read directly. sword_pdf stated that an external CD drive might resolve this media limitation.
Recent advancements in the PS5 homebrew environment also include the Slopkit project and a jailbreak method for firmware 13.60. These developments are related to reading old game discs, but they do not mean that all PS5 users can access this functionality through regular system updates.