It only took seven years.
Bethesda has officially confirmed that Fallout 76 will finally receive native versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, marking the first time the online Fallout will get a true "current-gen" release instead of relying on backward compatibility.
The news was revealed in the patch notes for the new season of the game titled Infestation, and along with the announcement, Bethesda also confirmed an upcoming public test in June. Although the exact release date is still unknown, the studio states that the full version of the upgrade will arrive during the summer, after the playtest phase is completed. For players who have been waiting for a serious technical upgrade for years, the news sounds promising. The new PS5 and Xbox Series versions aim for 60 frames per second, bringing improved shadows, greater draw distances, and support for VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 Pro will support 4K resolution, while the standard PS5 will operate at 1440p resolution. It may not sound revolutionary in 2026, but for Fallout 76, it is a significant step forward.
The game originally launched back in 2018 as the first multiplayer Fallout in the series' history. That launch was among the most controversial that Bethesda has ever had. The lack of human NPC characters, technical issues, and sparse content turned Fallout 76 into one of the most criticized games of that generation. However, unlike many other live-service projects, Fallout 76 did not give up. Over the years, Bethesda gradually added NPCs, new quests, factions, expansions, and numerous gameplay systems, which has slowly built a much more positive reputation among fans. Especially after the success of the Fallout TV series, the number of active players has significantly increased again.
Along with the current-gen upgrade, a new season of content is coming. Season 25 brings Infestation events during which large groups of more dangerous enemies will appear at certain locations. Players who manage to clear the area and defeat the mega boss will be rewarded with rare legendary items. Later in June, the long-awaited fishing system will also arrive, and Bethesda has already confirmed that new types of fish related to different seasons will be added in upcoming seasons.
The exact release date for the PS5 and Xbox Series versions is still unknown, but with the Xbox Games Showcase taking place on June 7, many expect that Bethesda will reveal more details there.
For a game that was once the subject of ridicule across the industry, the fact that seven years later it is still receiving major updates may be the greatest success of Fallout 76. It hasn't become the Fallout that fans expected in 2018, but it has slowly become the Fallout that many have learned to love.
