Fallout 76 Finally Gets Native PS5 and Xbox Series X/S Versions This Sum

Bethesda is finally preparing to launch native PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of Fallout 76, nearly six years after the current generation of consoles first arrived.

The company announced that a public playtest for the upgraded versions will begin later this month, with a full release scheduled for this summer.

The update is expected to deliver a smoother gameplay experience and several visual improvements for console players, bringing the online role-playing game more in line with modern hardware capabilities.

Performance Improvements for Current-Generation Consoles

According to Bethesda, the new PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions will target a frame rate of 60 frames per second (fps), a significant improvement for players seeking smoother gameplay.

The update will also introduce enhanced shadow quality and improved draw distances, allowing players to see more detail across Fallout 76's post-apocalyptic world.

In addition, all current-generation console versions—including PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S—will support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), a feature designed to reduce screen tearing and improve overall visual fluidity on compatible displays.

Resolution Differences Between Platforms

While performance improvements will be available across all current-generation systems, Bethesda revealed notable differences in resolution support. The standard PlayStation 5 version will run at a maximum resolution of 1440p, matching the PlayStation 4 Pro version. The same limitation will apply to the PS5 despite its more powerful hardware. Meanwhile, Fallout 76 will support 4K resolution on the Xbox Series X, Xbox One X, and PlayStation 5 Pro.

The decision has sparked some discussion among players, as the standard PS5 will not receive 4K support while Microsoft's Xbox Series X and even the older Xbox One X will offer higher-resolution gameplay. Base PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles will continue to run the game at 1080p.

A Long-Awaited Upgrade

The announcement comes years after the launch of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles, leading some fans to question why Bethesda waited so long to release dedicated versions of the game.

The timing is particularly notable given the recent popularity of the Fallout franchise following the success of the television adaptation, which helped attract renewed interest in the series and boosted player numbers across several Fallout titles.

A native current-generation release could help Bethesda further capitalize on that momentum by offering a more polished experience for console players.