No game lover can deny that the quality of the sound effects and the dramatic incidence of music play a huge role in how and why we enjoy video games, from the times of pong in the 1970s on a black and white TV and Mono audio to 2021’s Halo with Dolby Atmos or Marvel’s Spiderman: Miles Morales with 3D Sound on PS5. So, Do all games support 7.1 surround sound?
Games before 2000 were in Stereo; from 2003 in Dolby 5.1, and since 2016 on 7.1. Other ways to know if a game supports 7.1 surround sound are the ranking and the price: AAA and III indie games for Xbox X/S support 7.1, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, DTS X, and Sony’s PS5 3D Audio. They cost $70 – $100. AA games support 5.1 sound and cost $10 to $49.
You can also find the Dolby or DTS logos on the game’s case for video game consoles, or on their webpage.
Now, let’s take a look at the main audio queries that we game lovers frequently have:
- How Do I Know if a Game Supports 7.1 or 5.1 Surround Sound
- What Games Support 7.1 Surround Sound
- Do Nintendo Games Support 7.1 Surround Sound
How Do I Know if a Game Supports 7.1 or 5.1 Surround Sound
To know if a game supports 7.1 or 5.1 surround sound first check the year the game was released, and the type of console you have. The more recent the console, the better surround sound it will offer. Also, look for the game case or webpage and see what logos it shows: DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby True HD with Atmos, Windows Sonic, or Sony’s 3D Audio.
Another way to know it is by checking what video console you use and the video games designed for each of them:
Remember that each video console offers the most common audio formats in the menu where you set the kind of sound output you want: headphones, headsets, TV, AV Receiver, etc. The more recent the console, the more audio formats it will offer.
Playstation Consoles, Audio Formats, and Surround Systems
| Console | Year Released | Audio Formats | Surround System |
| PS5 | 2020 | 3D Audio Dolby Digital | 7.1 5.1 2.1 2.0 |
| PS4 | 2016 | Dolby Digital | 7.1 5.1 2.1 2.0 |
| PS3 | 2003 | Dolby TrueHD Bitstream DTS 5.1 | 7.1 5.1 2.1 2.0 |
| PS2 | 2000 | Dolby Pro Logic Dolby Pro Logic II | 4.0 4.0 |
| PS1 | 1994 | Stereo | 2.0 |
Xbox Consoles, Audio Formats, and Surround Systems
| Console | Year Released | Audio Formats | Surround System |
| Xbox Series X | 2020 | DTS 5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1 Dolby TrueHD with Atmos Windows Sonic | 7.1 5.1 2.1 2.0 |
| Xbox One X Xbox One S Xbox One | 2017 2016 2013 | Bitstream DTS 5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1 WMA Pro DTS 5.1 Stereo | 7.1 5.1 2.1 2.0 |
| Xbox 360 E Xbox 360 S Xbox 360 | 2013 2010 2005 | Dolby Digital 5.1 WMA Pro DTS 5.1 Stereo | 5.1 2.1 2.0 |
| Xbox | 2001 | Stereo | 2.0 |
If the Audio Settings in your console show that 7.1.4 is available, that means you can activate it if you have that same version of surround AV receiver and speakers: the .4 means four ceiling speakers at the right location, to provide Spatial Audio.
What Games Support 7.1 Surround Sound
AAA games released since 2013 are compatible with 7.1 surround sound. They are available for PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox One X, and Xbox Series X/S. Most AA games work well with 7.1 although the level of definition of sound effects for the surround speakers may not be at the astonishing level of AAA games.
A good way to know how good a video game is in matters of sound design (sound effects, soundtrack, and 7.1 surround sound mixing) is to take a look at what kind of awards and recognitions it has achieved: BAFTA, The Game Awards, and the Game Developers Choice Awards.
Take a look at the best games awarded by BAFTA in Audio Achievement and Music, which is an absolutely reliable source, if you are passionate about maximum sound quality:
| Game Title | Video Consoles | Year Released | Awards |
| Ghost of Tsushima | PS5 PS4 | 2021 | Bafta Audio Achievement Award |
| Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales | PS5 PS4 | 2021 | Bafta Music Award |
| Ape Out | Nintendo Switch* PC | 2020 | Bafta Audio Achievement Award |
| Disco Elysium | PS5 PS4 Xbox Series X/S Xbox One Nintendo Switch* PC | 2020 | Bafta Music Award |
| God of War | PS4 PC | 2019 | Bafta Audio Achievement Award |
| God of War | PS4 PC | 2019 | Bafta Music Award |
| Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice | PC PS4 Xbox Series X/S Xbox One Nintendo Switch* | 2018 | Bafta Audio Achievement Award |
| Cuphead | PS4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch* PC | 2018 | Bafta Music Award |
| The Last Guardian | PS4 | 2017 | Bafta Audio Achievement Award |
| Virginia | PS4 Xbox One PC | 2017 | Bafta Music Award |
| Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture | PS4 PC | 2016 | Bafta Audio Achievement Award |
| Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture | PS4 PC | 2016 | Bafta Music Award |
| Alien Isolation | PS4 PS3 Xbox One Xbox 360 Nintendo Switch* | 2015 | Bafta Audio Achievement Award |
| Far Cry 4 | PS3 Xbox 360 PC | 2015 | Bafta Music Award |
| The Last of Us | PS4 PS3 | 2014 | Bafta Audio Achievement Award |
| BioShock Infinite | PS3 Xbox 360 Nintendo Switch* | 2014 | Bafta Original Music Award |
| Journey | PS4 PS3 PC | 2013 | Bafta Audio Achievement Award |
| Journey | PS4 PS3 PC | 2013 | Bafta Original Music Award |
Do Nintendo Games Support 7.1 Surround Sound
Nintendo games feature Auto, Mono, Stereo, and Surround sound at 5.1 only. 7.1 surround sound is still not available in 2021. The HDMI output allows selecting the 5.1 surround option through an AV Receiver. Wired headphones or speakers and wireless devices can be connected through the 3.5 mm mini-jack output.
