Nvidia has revived a long-dormant capability through its latest Game Ready driver version 591.44, restoring PhysX compatibility for a curated list of legacy PC games.
This update holds particular importance for users with GeForce RTX 50-series graphics cards who favor vintage titles featuring intricate physics simulations.
Over the years, PhysX has played a key role in enhancing PC games by delivering lifelike simulations of elements like cloth, fog, and debris in experiences such as Borderlands 2 and Batman: Arkham City. However, starting in early 2025, Nvidia discontinued GPU-based PhysX acceleration for 32-bit applications on the RTX 50 lineup, forcing these computations onto the CPU and causing substantial drops in performance relative to earlier GeForce generations.
In response, some players devised a practical yet quirky solution by installing a previous-generation Nvidia graphics card solely to maintain PhysX enhancements.
The newest driver marks a shift in approach, implementing a 'Custom Support' mechanism. Rather than fully reinstating broad 32-bit PhysX compatibility, it provides tailored configurations for a limited set of highly regarded PhysX-dependent games.
A total of nine titles now regain access to GPU-accelerated PhysX processing.
Nvidia has further committed to extending this support to Batman: Arkham Asylum during the initial months of 2026.
The company has not confirmed plans for additional titles, noting that the initial effort targeted enduringly popular older games that continue to attract players.
PhysX originated with Ageia, which pioneered a dedicated physics processing unit about two decades ago. Following Nvidia's acquisition of Ageia in 2008, the technology was embedded within the CUDA cores of GeForce GPUs, eliminating the need for standalone hardware while linking its performance closely to Nvidia's ecosystem.
Beyond the PhysX revival, the Game Ready driver 591.44 includes various other enhancements.
Users can obtain driver 591.44 through the standard Nvidia application or directly from the company's official site.
For those engaging with PhysX-enabled older games, the update delivers clear gains, including boosted frame rates and restored visual effects. Meanwhile, enthusiasts of contemporary releases will appreciate the broader performance tweaks and resolved issues.