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Escape from Tarkov PS5: Is it coming to console?

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Gigletter
April 16, 2025

If you’ve been watching Escape from Tarkov from the sidelines, especially as a console player, you’ve probably asked yourself this more than once: “Is Escape from Tarkov PS5 happening?” You’re not alone. Tarkov has built a reputation as one of the most intense, unforgiving, and realistic shooters on PC, and a lot of players are hoping it makes the jump to console, especially the PlayStation 5.

So, is it happening?

Let’s break it down.

|First Things First: It’s Still PC-Only

Right now, Escape from Tarkov is only available on PC. You can’t find it on PlayStation, Xbox, or even on Steam, you have to buy and download it directly from Battlestate Games’ own website. It’s still in beta, and while it’s very playable (and pretty popular), it’s not technically considered a “full” release yet.

|Has Battlestate Said Anything About Consoles?

Yes, actually, kind of.

The lead developer, Nikita Buyanov, has talked a few times about the idea of bringing Tarkov to consoles. He hasn’t promised anything, but he has said that it’s something they’re thinking about. The main thing holding them back? Tarkov is just a really complicated game.

We’re talking about a game with super detailed looting, inventory management, medical systems, weapon modding, and a level of realism that’s honestly closer to a simulation than your typical shooter. Trying to get all of that to work well on a controller? That’s no small task.

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|Why PS5 Might Struggle with Tarkov (At Least for Now)

Even though the PS5 is a beast of a console, Tarkov would need some serious changes to fit on it comfortably:

  • The controls are built for mouse and keyboard. You’ve got so many hotkeys and small interactions that it’s hard to imagine mapping all of that cleanly to a DualSense controller.

  • The user interface (UI) is clunky even on PC, and it’s designed for a cursor, not a joystick.

  • Performance-wise, Tarkov is still getting optimized on PC. Bringing that level of performance to a fixed hardware console would take a lot of reworking.

Some fans think the best chance of seeing Tarkov on PS5 might come from its spin-off project, Escape from Tarkov: Arena. That mode is more of a traditional, round-based shooter, think close-quarter fights without all the survival mechanics. It’s simpler and more controller-friendly, so it could be Battlestate’s first dip into console waters.

There’s also the possibility of a “Tarkov Lite”, a streamlined version of the game that maintains the intensity but dials back some of the complexity. No official word on that, but fans have definitely floated the idea.

|So… Should You Hold Your Breath?

Honestly? Probably not, at least not right now.

Battlestate Games has said they’re aiming for the full 1.0 release of Escape from Tarkov sometime in mid-2025, and all of their energy seems to be going into finishing the PC version first. That means even if a PS5 port is in the cards, it’s likely further down the line.

As much as I’d love to see Tarkov on PS5, it’s just not there yet. The game’s complexity, controls, and UI are still very PC-focused. That said, if Battlestate figures out a way to bring that same hardcore, nail-biting gameplay to console, whether it’s through Arena, a simplified version, or a full-on port, I’ll be first in line to play.

Until then, if you’re curious about the game and have a capable PC, it’s worth checking out. And if you’re strictly console for now? Keep it on your radar, because Tarkov on PS5 could happen, eventually.