PlayStation 5 Console
PlayStation 5 Console
Lightning speed
Harness the power of a custom CPU, GPU, and SSD with Integrated I/O that rewrite the rules.
Ultra high-speed SSD
Maximise your play sessions with near-instant load times for installed PS5 games.
Create and share
Create screenshots and videos from your gameplay. Share with other players on PSN or social media.
Haptic feedback
Feel the effects and impact of your in-game actions through dynamic sensory feedback.
Adaptive triggers
Featuring dynamic resistance levels which simulate the physical impact of in-game activities.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Travel to a snowy Marvel’s New York in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, realised in beautiful 4K and HDR.
Demon’s Souls
Experience the original brutal challenge, completely remade from the ground up, all presented in stunning visual quality with enhanced performance.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
The iconic PlayStation hero bursts back into breathtaking action with a huge, fun and frantic 3D multiplayer platforming adventure with friends.
Godfall
Godfall is a brand-new, next-gen looter-slasher, set in a bright fantasy universe filled with heroic knights and arcane magic.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Black Ops Cold War drops fans into the depths of the Cold War’s volatile geopolitical battle of the early 1980s. Welcome to the brink.
The PlayStation Plus Collection
Enjoy a selection of generation-defining PS4 games, included with your PS Plus membership at no extra cost. Access the entire collection on your PS5 at launch.
What’s the difference between the PS5 console and the PS5 Digital Edition console?
The only difference between the PS5 console and the PS5 Digital Edition console is the inclusion of an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive in the PS5 console. The PS5 Digital Edition console does not feature a disc drive.
Are there any performance differences between the PS5 console and the PS5 Digital Edition console?
No. The consoles’ performance is identical, outside the existence of a disc drive.
Can I use both PS5 console models in either horizontal or vertical orientation?
Yes, both PS5 models include a Base that allows users to adjust the console for vertical or horizontal placement. Watch our PS5 teardown video to see how it works.
Can I expand PS5’s ultra-high speed SSD storage?
PS5 features an expansion port that will, in the future, enable players to add M.2 SSD storage to be used for installing and playing PS5 games.
Can I play PS4 games on PS5?
Yes. When the PlayStation 5 console launches this November, more than 99 percent of the 4000+ games available on PS4 will be playable on it.
PlayStation 5The PS5 console unleashes new gaming possibilities that you never anticipated.
” data-position=”triggerHorizontal” />Media RemoteConveniently control movies, streaming services and more on your PS5 console with an intuitive layout.
” data-position=”triggerHorizontal” />HD CameraAdd yourself to your gameplay videos and broadcasts with smooth, sharp, full-HD capture
” data-position=”triggerHorizontal” />Technical specifications
| CPU | x86-64-AMD Ryzen “Zen 2” | 8 Cores / 16 Threads | Variable frequency, up to 3.5 GHz |
| GPU | AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine | Ray Tracing Acceleration | Variable frequency, up to 2.23 GHz (10.3 TFLOPS) |
| System Memory | GDDR6 16GB | 448GB/s Bandwidth |
| SSD | 825GB | 5.5GB/s Read Bandwidth (Raw) |
| PS5 Game Disc | Ultra HD Blu-ray, up to 100GB/disc |
| Video Out | Support of 4K 120Hz TVs, 8K TVs, VRR (specified by HDMI ver.2.1) |
| Audio | “Tempest” 3D AudioTech |
| Dimensions: | 47 x 17.7 x 42.8 cm; 6.1 Kilograms |
| Model: | CFI- 1116A |
| Batteries Included: | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Dimensions: | 47 x 17.7 x 42.8 cm; 6.1 Kilograms |
| Origin: | China |
his was the third PS5 I bought.
first from a local game store that had coil wind, (high pitch sound)
second from Argus that had broken seals and was dusty.
this one I got from Amazon, fortunate seals where intact, product was new and no coil wind.
third time lucky 🙂
Console is good. arrives undamaged. if you wish to lie down your console, the stand is really finicky. you can just not use it but if you want to stand it up later and lose stand you cannot get a free replacement off Sony/PlayStation.
overall though despite what box says you will be hard pressed to find 8K games and not every game on this can push 4K/60fps. It still runs many games great and the software is very well put together.
subscription service is really lackluster. paying for cloud storage is outrageous.
Also headphones plugged into the controller automatically switches the audio of the game from tv speakers to the headphones (!!) Odd thing to notice I know but I was 100% expecting the confusion of ps4 and was so pleasantly surprised that you could just plug in the the headphone jack and play!
Downside is memory, i play a lot of saves in games and like to bounce around a lot and found that ive already practially filled it with the two games i currently have on there, got a new external harddrive for it coming but still wish i could of had more with the console alone.
But overall, I’m just really happy to finally have a ps5.
At this point the competition is very much neck and neck. Microsoft have their pros and cons as do Sony. Been in the Sony camp since the days of of the very first PlayStation and this still doesn’t disappoint.
Yea it’s big, yea it’s bulky but it’s an absolute powerhouse for gaming. Can it compete with a high spec PC no but then it’s a cheaper than those.
4k player to boot, what are you waiting for just buy it and enjoy it.
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is a true marvel of gaming technology, and it lives up to the hype in every way possible.
Performance (5/5): The power of the PS5 is unparalleled. The lightning-fast load times, seamless gameplay transitions, and stunning visuals are a testament to its next-gen capabilities. Whether you’re exploring vast open worlds or engaging in fast-paced action, the PS5 handles it all with ease.
Graphics (5/5): The graphics are nothing short of breathtaking. Games on the PS5 look incredibly realistic, with lifelike details, ray tracing, and HDR support. It’s a visual feast that immerses you in the gaming experience like never before.
Controller (5/5): The DualSense controller is a game-changer in itself. The haptic feedback and adaptive triggers add a new dimension to gameplay. Feeling the subtle vibrations and resistance based on in-game actions is nothing short of revolutionary.
Backward Compatibility (5/5): The PS5’s backward compatibility ensures that you can enjoy your favorite PS4 titles with improved performance and loading times. It’s a thoughtful feature for existing PlayStation fans.
Exclusive Games (5/5): PlayStation has always been known for its exclusive titles, and the PS5 doesn’t disappoint. Games like “Demon’s Souls,” “Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart,” and “Returnal” showcase the console’s capabilities and offer unforgettable gaming experiences.
User Interface (5/5): The user interface is sleek, intuitive, and fast. Navigating between games and apps is a breeze, and the integrated streaming and social features add to the overall experience.
Storage (4/5): While the ultra-fast SSD is a game-changer, the limited storage capacity can fill up quickly with modern game sizes. However, the ability to expand storage with compatible NVMe SSDs helps mitigate this issue.
Price (4/5): The PS5’s price point may be a bit steep for some, but considering the cutting-edge technology and performance it delivers, it’s a worthwhile investment for serious gamers.
Aesthetic Marvel:
The PlayStation 5 isn’t just a console; it’s a masterpiece of design. It’s like a futuristic monolith from your favorite sci-fi epic. The sleek curves, contrasting colors, and bold lines make it a statement piece that demands attention in your gaming sanctuary.
Next-Gen Powerhouse:
Under that elegant exterior lies a beastly core. The PlayStation 5’s hardware is like a symphony of performance and innovation, ready to tackle the most demanding games with ease. The lightning-fast SSD isn’t just a storage solution; it’s a time-traveling device that virtually eliminates loading screens and accelerates your gaming experience.
DualSense: A Touch of Magic:
But let’s talk about the real game-changer — the DualSense Wireless Controller. It’s not just a controller; it’s a sensory masterpiece. The haptic feedback and adaptive triggers transport you into the virtual world, making each action feel like it’s happening in your hands. Whether you’re feeling the tension of a bowstring or the rev of an engine, the DualSense turns gaming into a multisensory adventure.
The Lineup of Legends:
The launch lineup is like a treasure trove of gaming wonders. From exploring the haunting landscapes of “Demon’s Souls” to swinging through the New York skyline in “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales,” the PlayStation 5 introduced us to worlds that push the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming.
Backward Compatibility Bliss:
And if that wasn’t enough, the backward compatibility feature means you can dive back into your favorite PlayStation 4 titles with improved performance and visuals. It’s like meeting old friends in a new, dazzling light.
Legacy in the Making:
Owning a PlayStation 5 on launch day isn’t just about being part of history; it’s about being part of the future. It’s about experiencing the evolution of gaming firsthand and witnessing the beginning of a new era of interactive entertainment.
Final Level:
For those who snagged a PlayStation 5 on launch day, you’re pioneers in a digital revolution. You’re living the dream of generations past who marveled at the possibilities of gaming. As you explore new worlds, conquer epic challenges, and create lasting memories, remember that you’re part of an extraordinary chapter in gaming history. The PlayStation 5 — a testament to innovation, a journey into the unknown, and a source of endless adventures. Game on, pioneers, game on!
From launch in November 2020, The Astro Playroom was already installed to test all the features of the duelsense controller,
And it did it well with a fantastic opening with a controller on screen where you can test all features, The adaptive triggers , The haptic feedback where you can feel all the little tiny robots move around,
The playroom game itself is charming, Very fun even if your 5 going on 50,
If you know anything about playstation history then you will get all the references in this game with alot of collectibles that show up,
Now to the Playstation 5 disk edition,
Back in 2020, The build in storage was a problem, It may say 825gb on the box but it was more like 600gb,
You can plug in an external Hard Drive or 2.5inch SSD to a USB port, However that only allows you to play PS4 games from those drives, Native PS5 games can only be played from the internal ssd or from the M.2 PCIE4.0 slot,
(You can hold PS5 games on an external Hard drive or 2.5inch SSD then move across to the internal drive to play if you have slow broadband speeds)
The M.2 slot is easy enough to get to and install more storage, A Crucial P5 Plus 2tb with a heatsink, Or A Seagate firecuda 530 2tb with heatsink,
Those drives have come down in price alot now, A Crucial P5 Plus 2tb is at most 130,
Now the xbox series consoles, Their 2tb expansion storage cards are so over priced I’ve refused to buy one on principle,
Now for the console gaming experience,
As with the PS4 any update for any game you have installed will update in the background, However on PS5 this is vastly improved the “Copying” after you have downloaded the game update is quick, Certainly not 30+ minutes of “Copying” on the dark times of the PS4,
For Native PS5 games, It’s very fast load times,
In final fantasy 7 remake PS5 version the load up a save is less than 2 seconds,
Rachet & Clank Rift Apart , Spiderman remaster/ miles morales these games have the same super fast loading times of less than a few seconds,
If you have a HDMI 2.1 capable tv that can do 4k 120fps Like any LG oled tv from B To G,
Then games like Rainbow 6 siege, Fortnite, Cod, They all have 120fps modes,
Other games such as Horizon forbidden west, God of War Ragnarok, Last of us Part 1, Spiderman remaster/ miles morales,
These have 40fps options if you have a 120hz tv with hdmi 2.1, They also have modes where you can unlocked the frame rate where it can go up to 120fps but most of the time it’s over 60fps but mostly stays at 90+fps,
The variable refresh rate works fine so you don’t really notice the difference, It feels alot more responsive than 60fps,
To the good and the bad points,
Positives
+ M.2 slot to upgrade ssd storage at a more sensible price compared to xbox,
+very fast game loading times,
+Duelsense controller features feels great when games actually use it to take full advantage,
+Background downloading is vastly improved,
+ PS5 Exclusive games made by Sony are very story driven and graphically impressive,
Negatives,
– As you can see from my photo the playstation 5 is just massive much bigger than the xbox series x,
– The Duelsense controller doesn’t get used to it’s full potential by 3rd party games,
– It has 8k Slapped on the PS5 box but as of August 2023 it doesn’t actually support 8k (Why…. marketing that’s why, 8k is pointless you need a screen that’s over 82inchs to notice the difference compared to 4k, It’s only slapped on the box so sony can say that PS5 can do 8k and xbox series consoles can’t)
– The PS5 stand to have the console in horizontal or vertical feels cheap,
My final opinion,
It may be a white giant skyscraper or landscraper, But it is a console that has first class 1st party games, A Duelsense controller that makes you feel the difference while playing those games by the haptic feedback and other features of it,
With the price of PC GPU’s ,A console that can play games at a reasonable cost is worthy of your time and money,
You won’t be disappointed spending your human time credits on the playstation 5
The PlayStation 5 has fantastic framerate, graphics and speed for loading, downloading and updating too! If you are looking for the best performing system you will of course hear the people who say PC is where it is, although this may be true, the PS5 is way ahead of PCs for its price to performance, you’ll need to spend a MINIMUM of 1500 to match a PS5 as mentioned by YouTubers such as LinusTechTips who have done various tests to try and match it, they have also mentioned that their SSD tech is far beyond what PCs can do currently with their speed.
If you are looking for a great system for the next 5-10 years to keep you busy, happy and playing great games, maybe even cross-play with friends then I’d say look no further! Enjoy this fantastic system!
Next-Gen Performance: The standout feature of the PlayStation 5 Standard Console is its next-generation performance. Powered by a custom-designed AMD Ryzen CPU and AMD Radeon GPU, this console delivers incredible speed, responsiveness, and graphical fidelity, taking gaming to a whole new level.
Ultra-High Definition Graphics: Enjoy breathtaking visuals and lifelike details with the PlayStation 5’s support for 4K resolution. The console’s ray-tracing capabilities bring realistic lighting and reflections to your games, immersing you in stunning virtual worlds like never before.
Lightning-Fast Load Times: Say goodbye to long loading screens. The PlayStation 5’s ultra-fast SSD storage ensures lightning-fast load times, allowing you to dive into your games without any delays.
DualSense Wireless Controller: The DualSense controller is a game-changer, introducing haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that provide a more immersive and responsive gaming experience. Feel the impact of in-game actions and experience a new level of interactivity with this revolutionary controller.
Backward Compatibility: With the PlayStation 5, you can enjoy a vast library of games from previous PlayStation consoles. Many PlayStation 4 titles are compatible with the PS5, allowing you to revisit your favorite games with improved graphics and performance.
Innovative Features: The PlayStation 5 introduces innovative features like the Create button, which lets you capture and share your gameplay moments effortlessly. The built-in microphone also enables easy communication with friends and teammates.
Expansive Game Library: The PlayStation 5 boasts an impressive lineup of exclusive titles and a diverse selection of games from various genres. Whether you’re into action, adventure, sports, or RPGs, the PS5 has something for every gaming preference.
In conclusion, the PlayStation 5 Standard Console is a powerhouse of gaming technology, offering next-gen performance, stunning graphics, and innovative features. Experience gaming like never before with its lightning-fast load times, immersive DualSense controller, and an extensive game library. Elevate your gaming adventures with the PlayStation 5 and discover a world of entertainment and excitement at your fingertips.
Now that’s not to say i like everything about it, Microsoft went through quite a lot of effort to make as many 360 and original Xbox games backwards compatible with One X enhancements or FPS boost available for both Series consoles and well Sony has only focused on it’s last gen games which is extremely disappointing.
Onto gaming it plays games at way higher resolution than my Series S and is really silent whilst doing so. Playing God of war (first one) 4k 60fps is something to behold and whilst there’s a few other games that I’m going to try out out i think I’m going to have fun.
Now would i recommend this? yes. First party offerings are miles ahead of Xbox at this current moment in time. As Xbox offerings have been lacking, disappointing or whatever the hell Redfall is for the last 10 years. Also the always online DRM…Yeah. However Series X/S is better value for money and you can actually emulate PS1/2 games with dev mode on the series consoles.
The PlayStation is better value for gaming in my honest opinion. PSVR is also an option to have an entirely different experience that’s completely none existent over at Xbox. Great selection of first party games, much nicer less marketized home screen and a something i found humorous, it’s own version of game pass with a lot of Bethesda games on XD.
I haven’t really played all that much on it at the moment but i have a few games downloaded from their version of the play pass.
Updated: It’s still good, what I’d like to add is that the PS5 is much easier to clean as it’s not that hard to take apart and blow the dust out.
Ps5 is great but the triangle button on the controller is not responding and not making the usual click sound (see video) so not playing fifa or gta or any other game involving the use of the triangle butto
Got for my sons birthday, can not fault it excellent product and worth the money
Very happy with item came in time at a good price
amazing performance, design and brings attention to it in the room due to it aura.
the controller is a huge improvement on the ps4 one. really impressive from sony
i’ve not experienced any lag whilst posting fifa and demon soul.
The Playstation 5 is a long awaited upgrade from my Playstation 4 Slim, in addition to an updated internet connection, it breathed life back into gaming for me, I have ans always will continue to play single player games on consoles and this console is no exception, an incredible upgrade. Very smooth, enhanced visuals, fit for the gaming world it has pushed everyone into. HDR supports is better than I imagined, and the 4K gameplay is something I didn’t mind the thought of, but once played I will not be going back. Overall a fantastic console.
Looks modern as a console and the processor is just much faster better graphics also, this is new era gaming and so much more!
Gave PlayStation 4 to granddaughter so went without PlayStation for about 2 years. But then fancied trying new generation so brought Xbox serious s first time I had brought Xbox had it for about 6 months good machine but lot of my favourite games are only on PlayStation so gave Xbox to grandson for his birthday and went without games machine for a while, but saw some of my favourite games being remastered to ps5 ,resident evil 4 ,last of us, and uncharted so brought one from Amazon few weeks ago it’s a great upgrade lot better in my opinion than Xbox and looking forward to some great new games love it best games machine I have played
I decided to buy a Ps5 once they came back into stock, I have to say it was a good choice, i previously had the Xbox series X but this kept giving me issues with my Oled, The Ps5 has no problems at all the games look superb and performance is top notch, Then there is the controller which is another piece of superb kit, feedback from it and the triggers, outstanding. I choose the Ps5.
Everyone knows how difficult it was to get a playstation 5, especially in the time of the pandemic. Many scams and even on Amazon until 2021 it happened that couriers lost (or stole?) some orders. For this I was very hesitant to order the console, but I knew that being Amazon I would have guarantees. So while living in Italy I decided to place the order of the PS5, among other things at a very good price. Ordered on January 17th, the package went through customs without a hitch and I received it on January 26th. Everything perfect, intact package, sealed package and perfectly functional console! What can I say, I am extremely happy to have finally managed to get my PlayStation 5 and I advise everyone (Italians included) to place orders from Amazon.uk without fear as it is really worth it! I will definitely be placing more orders from the UK.
The console is a dream. it runs smoothly and quietly. load times are superfast for game’s and the graphics are top notch. I really notice this now over the PS4 as i replay witcher 3. textures and the like are more vibrant and there’s a noticeable shortening of load times between cut scenes etc.
The console is very easy to set up, it’s literally plug and play. If you have a ps4 you can transfer everything from it to the ps5. you can do this wireless or thru a cable. i choose to go wirelessly and it took 23.40 hours to complete. i wish i’d done it thru cable to be honest but i could still play games and use the console while it was doing that to be fair.
It’s such a great upgrade from the PS4 and I couldn’t be happier with it.
The PlayStation Five both builds upon and surpasses everything that the PlayStation Four managed to establish. Its stark, futuristic design distinctly sets it apart from its predeccesors, with an explosion of white complimenting black. The new Dualsense controller, again, takes what the DualShock four gave us and improves upon it, it feels familiar and different at the same time.
Under the hood, the PS5 may not be quite as powerful as the XBox, with a throughput of about 10 TeraFlops/sec, compared to Series X’s 12; BUT, its the way in which it uses those 10 that gives the PS5 a much better all round performance and graphical output; bolstered by double the available ram of the XBox and with much better internal bus connections. Sony’s intention was to harness the speed of the ssd and the whole system has been balanced (and built) in order for that to translate to lighting quick load times on games that are on that ssd. The loading time difference between AC:Valhalla on the PS4 and on the PS5 is a stark contrast.
You can dimiss any thing you may have read about this generation being shorter than others, PS5 will be relevant for at least the next seven years and considering the impact of Covid and the relative slow uptake of users to cross over from PS4 after two years (due to covid and supply shortages), you can extend that to 9. Don’t expect Sony to be comitting to a PS6 until somewhere near 2030; however a PS5 pro may well be on the cards for the medium term. There is unlikely to be a ‘slim’ version of the console, at least not yet, simply because of the need to dispperse heat.
The PS5’s backwards compatability is centered around PS4 and you can play PS4 titles either from disc or an external HD straight away. PS+ will also give you some free PS4 classics. PS4 games can be played from the PS5’s internal ssd, but you will probably wish to keep that for the PS5 titles. What is notable here is that many PS4 games have been ‘game boosted’, so that when you run them on the PS5, the console automatically improves them without needing a new version of the game. For example : Days Gone now looks absolutely stunning, taking full advantage of UT 4 engine, bolstered by 60fps. Other games are cross generational, such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and you will want to download the PS5 version.
Even running the PS5 on an HD ready screen, you will notice the difference. Everything looks sharper, more distinct. The PS5 though, is capable of running 4k at 120fps at a push. That’s pretty impressive for a console that costs less than a quarter of the price of a PC that might be able to do that.
In addition to the high-end PC graphics, you get 3D surround sound, that automatically occurs regardless of headset, on games that support it and the dualsense is capable of delivering a lot of different vibration feedback to further enhance the playing experience.
It would be easy to keep on going, but the overall feeling you get with this console is that its special, that care went into designing and building it. The PS5 will, no doubt, deliver some of the best gaming experiences players have ever had in the next decade. Yes, they did it again.
The PlaySation 5 delivers true next generation experiences, it’s not like previous consoles where it’s just more of the same but done better i.e higher quality graphics and higher display resolutions. The DualSense controller is truly a joy to use and does an excellent job of adding an extra layer of immersion via haptic feedback and adaptive triggers and the SSD makes the entire console a pleasure to use, it not only loads games very quickly but also makes navigating the graphical user interface / menus and settings smooth and snappy. I highly recommend checking out Astro’s Playroom it’s fantastic and a trip down memory lane for long time PlayStation fans.
My only major disappointment is the lack of 3D audio for AVR / Home Cinema Systems (7.1 or 11.1 Dolby Atmos or DTS X ect…) I understand why they didn’t want to use existing technologies like Dolby Atmos, AURO 3D or DTX S and Tempest 3D audio sounds ambitious and amazing but I’m yet to experience it on a large multi-speaker setup. I’m not a fan of using headphones, I like to experience sound in the room rather than strapped to my ears, I like to feel sound not just hear it, especially bass! Support for AVR 3D audio is being worked on but currently there is no ETA.
The PS1 was my first console and I started with three games, Tekken 3, Gran Turismo 2 and Army Men 3D and I’ve been hooked ever since. When it’s time to relax and enjoy a game I prefer gaming on console, specifically PlayStation consoles. I work with PC’s professionally but personally I find the exclusive games PlayStation offers and the pick up and play experience to be a cut above the rest, of course there are pros & cons to both PC and console platforms but when I weigh them up against each other PlayStaion is the clear winner for me, it’s all about the games!!!
Now more than ever consoles are by far once again the most affordable and cost effective way to enjoy gaming, with graphics cards currently priced ridiculously high consoles are the best option currently. The games the PS5 offers so far are amazing and a good indication of what’s to come in the future! I look forward to seeing what new features they add to the hardware via firmware updates and the games that they are working on in secret, I suspect there will be many pleasant surpises coming!
**May 2022 Update: I have both HFW and GT7 and they are great! Both look amazing and the gameplay is also brilliant (ignoring Polyphony Digital doing stupid stuff with the GT7 economy, that is). I’m still playing more PS4 titles than PS5 titles on it though…**
In full:
To start with, let me say that the hardware itself is great. It runs really well and almost silently most of the time, looks great and functions very well.
What lets it down is the lack of AAA titles. If you like your FIFA, more power to you, but lootbox farming isn’t my thing. I can’t wait for Gran Turismo 7 but honestly, that and the new Horizon Zero Dawn, are the only games I want and the only two PS5 games I am intending to buy (at time of writing). Neither of them are out until 2022.
Sony originally said, as they have done with all other consoles, that they ‘believe in generations’, by which they mean that the latest gen console is their focus. They fairly quickly went against that and decided that most games have to have a PS4 and a PS5 version. That all sounds great but it means that games are made for the PS4 and then upscaled to the PS5, leaving out things like making use of the haptic feedback of the controllers or developing games that are supposed to run at 4k, 120fps that were all touted as PS5 selling points. The 40ish price point for new console games has always been a thing for as long as I can remember but with PS4 still being as much of a focus as PS5, PS4 games are continuing to be at that price point while PS5 games are around 70.
On top of that, games like Cyberpunk, the new PES, Battlefield 2042 and others have all been rushed to release and in most cases are flat out broken. These are not worth 45 in their current state, let alone 80+ for PS5 special editions. Notable exceptions to this are Warframe (free to play) and I have been extremely impressed with Ghost of Tsushima which, despite being originally a PS4 release, seems to have done a fantastic job of using the graphical and controller feedback upgrades of the PS5.
Even as lifelong PlayStation fan, I can honestly say that I regret buying a PS5 when I did (April 2021) because I am basically using it as a PS4. I really hope that things will change in 2022 and we start to see some great games come to the console but I am not going to hold my breath.
If you can’t get one of these for love nor money, don’t worry – until the games line-up gets better, you really aren’t missing out on much over a PS4.
So I was originally a PlayStation fan boy from the start with the PlayStation 1 and loved it then with the PSP and PS2 which again was an amazing device. But then due to friends playing on the xbox 360 I missed out on the PS3 and then became a xbox fan boy. I only came back to PlayStation late in it’s generation of the PS4 as xbox over time was loosing everything that I grew to love. The good exclusive games such as halo and gears of War became average games and alot of my friends also started to move over to PlayStation. Xbox basically had no good exclusive games. I missed out on all the good exclusive games PlayStation was releasing such as God of war, Spiderman, last of us (the first one), days gone etc. And decided to make the leap and get the PlayStation 4 slim it was the fist time I owned both xbox and PlayStation and I didn’t regret it. When I heard about the PlayStation 5 and the innovation and great games that will down the line come out for it I had to have it. I got lucky enough to get a pre-order in on day one and was glad when it arrived. The design of the PlayStation 5 is sleek and has a futuristic look to it although I’d prefer a all black version but that’s just me. The new controller really is strives better than the xbox controller. The new haptic feedback really makes you feel the impact of what you’re doing for example in spiderman you can feel the rumble when swinging from roof to roof. When you are not near a building and you try to swing you feel the pressure from the trigger not allowing you press down, it’s just great innovation and once you are able to get your hands on a PlayStation 5 you’ll just love the new controller. With the SSD games load super fast for example in spiderman miles morales or spiderman remastered it takes from the main menu to load into the game about 3-5 seconds it’s just super quick and if you were to go back to a PlayStation 4 it’s just night and day. One thing I feel I should say is don’t buy from a scalper as you’ll just be paying 3X the price and if you’re patient stock will eventually come in. Can’t wait for Returnal…
Firstly, the styling. It’s hit or miss. You either love it or you hate it. I, personally, love it. It’s definitely an eye-catcher rather than just another console that blends into whatever home entertainment system you have. It’s the only console I have had standing and I think it warrants being left as such. Takes up less space standing and looks miles better.
The SSD. I love it. Not a fan of how small it is, granted, but my god is it fast! On the PS4, loading a game like GTA was something you had to think about. “Do I really want to play GTA? Or can I play something with shorter loading times?”. A thing of the last (for most games anyway). I can load GTA in under a minute. From inserting disc, to loading story mode to then creating a private party. Quick and painless. And it shows when I play with friends still on the PS4. I love it! Can’t wait for the extra SSD slot to be enabled though. The space gets eaten up quick.
The OS is interesting I will say. I love that the PS Store is integrated into the system and actually works now. That being said, it’s not always as easy to navigate, although that could just be me not used to it yet. On the PS4, there was a very clear “Deals” tab that I would spend most of my Store time on. It’s not as apparent on the PS5 sadly. But something I can live with.
It’s definitely more focused around gaming with the game menus and such. However, they definitely missed on a few quality of life things the PS4 had, namely around the party chats. One useful thing being able to quickly switch from all audio or just chat audio going through to the headset. I have a few headsets based on what game I’m playing and that quick-menu feature on the PS4 is sorely missed on the PS5. But I’m a survivor, so I soldier on.
DualSense is amazing and I hope devs utilise it properly. It has so much potential and, if used correctly, can be another level of immersion for gamers. The haptics and the adaptive triggers. They sound like such small changes but they have such a massive impact. Astro’s Playroom really highlights the potential of the controller and I’d recommend playing it. It’s both a celebration of PlayStation’s past while also looking into its future. [Insert chef kiss gif]
I got all the accessories separately and I’ll summarise them quickly for you below:
– Charging stand: Great and would recommend purchasing it, especially if you get more than one controller.
– Pulse 3D headset: Also great. The quality is awesome and I use it for more casual gaming. The mic sucks, granted, but if you’re just looking to immerse yourself in a game and don’t already have a good headset then it’s worth a buy.
– Media controller: Used it once on setup. Will probably never use it again given that I have a smart TV. If you don’t have a smart TV, it’s worth a purchase.
If you have PSVR, you need to get in touch with Sony to get an adapter for your VR. You can do so here: https://camera-adaptor.support.playstation.com/en-gb
I will admit, I have not used my VR yet with the PS5 but I’m assuming it’ll still be great.
All in all, it’s a great system. I’m happy with it and will probably continue to be. I’ve only had issues with Cyberpunk but that’s a whole different bag of worms… Thankfully the SSD made loading Cyberpunk less of a headache so I was still actually able to enjoy it!
So having owned and used the PS5 for just over a month now, I thought I’d share my initial impressions via this review.
The console is big, probably the biggest I’ve owned, and I’ve had a fair few. With that said when stood vertically on the supplied stand it really doesn’t take up a great deal of space alongside a TV, or on a desk besides a monitor. Even horizontally it will only take up the same space as traditional HiFi seperate unit. It just feels looks larger due to its design and colour.
Within that large casing it houses a substantial cooling solution. During use the fan is exceptionally quiet and I am yet to hear it step up to levels that are audible in normal circumstances. What can clearly been heard is the optical drive. You know when the BD drive is spinning. It’s a little disappointing compared to the relative serenity of the rest of the system. Thankfully its rare the drive needs to work outside of installation, or initialisation.
Once the system is running you encounter the UI for the first time. Everything is fairly straightforward with games front and centre. Elements will be familiar to former PlayStation owners but equally other will be less so, and maybe a little confusing at first. Once you’re used to it, it’s actually better than the PS4’s but there are shortcomings. One glaring omissions is the lack of folders for your games and media. I am sure this can be added in a future update but it seems odd to exclude it in the first place. Closing games can be a little convoluted. On the PS4 it was a fairly straightforward affair, but. On the PS5 it take at least one to two additional button presses.
Games are what it’s all about and this were the PS5 excels. So far I have played AC: Valhalla, Demon’s Souls, WRC9, FIFA21, Astrobot, No Man’s Sky, Bugsnax and Haven. These are all PS5 builds and a mix Triple A and Indie titles. In terms of performance it’s a big step up. All of these games hit 60fps with ease. This make a big difference to action titles like AC and Demon’s Souls. Couple that with the boost in visual fidelity, and lightning fast load times( thanks to the SSD) and they are joy to play. Then we have backwards compatibility. Many older games receive a significant performance boost and some first party titles receive a graphical upgrade. The now notorious Cyberpunk 2077 serves as a great example of the PS5 power. The game was poorly optimised at release for the PS4 family of consoles, to the point were it unplayable on vanilla hardware. While running the PS4 build, the PS5 can maintain a steady 60fps. Pop in is non-existent thanks to the super fast SSD and RAM, the texture pop in isn’t detectable.
Everything isn’t rosy when it comes to games though. Storage is limited. Of the 825gb only 667gb is usable. There is an M.2 slot for future expansion, but this currently disabled due to no suitable drives being available. You can use an external to store and play PS4 games, however you won’t benefit from the boosted loading times offered by the SSD. Because of the adoption of a standardised M.2 slot this will mean future expansion will be available and get cheaper over time.
Probably the biggest surprise is the Dual Sense. Until you pick it up and play Astrobot you don’t realise how big of game changer this could be. The haptic feedback is fantastic. The fine tuning on Astrobot allows you feel every surface and input. The adaptive trigger add depth to simple actions like drawing a bow. WRC 9 makes great use of this too by adding resistance to the brake trigger to mimic the progression of the pedal. If none of this is your thing, or you feel it will hinder how competitive you can be, it can all be disabled or tones down. Aside from the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, the Dual Sense feels great in the hand. The DS4 was a major step up from the DS3, and the Dual Sense feels almost as big a leap. It’s easily my controller of choice now. My only criticism would be that on both my Dual Senses the R1 and L1 buttons are audible. It isn’t the sound of a micro switch, but more the sound of plastic on plastic.
So overall the PS5 is a great starting point for a promising future.
**Update**
So nearly two years into ownership and things have arguably got better. Many new and useful features have been added as well as some quality of life improvements. It would have been nice to see VRR and 1440p support come sooner but it’s better late than never. I’ve added an internal m.2 NVME and have been using an external HDD for PS4 games. As of yet I’ve not issues with either. Overall the experience for myself remains excellent.
Wow. That’s pretty much the feeling every time I play on it, which is exactly what having a next-gen console should feel like. I’m coming from a PS4 Pro and even from that the difference is night and day – load speeds, fan noises and performance in frame rates are all dramatically improved and leads to a great experience all round.
Firstly the design is big. It occupies a solid portion of my desk and I would love to have it vertical but I’m too worried about knocking it over due to its size. The white futuristic design doesn’t really fit into my room’s aesthetic but the PS5 definitely looks cool and the white theme throughout is consistent. I’ve included pictures of it alongside my PS4 Pro for comparison.
Performance wise it is a massive step up – and I say this having being playing PS4 games. All PS4 games run buttery smooth 60fps IF the game developers have ‘unlocked’ the frame rate (normally a free game software update) but as time goes on more and more games will be able to do this, and certainly all PS5 games will have 60fps as an option. I personally haven’t been too impressed with the launch titles, but replaying PS4 games with the PS5 can at times feel like new games, such is the performance gains – and at the same time will prove to be a cost saving measure as PS5 games have already started to drop in price.
The real change is the controller though. It seems strange to say that the console itself isn’t where the massive noticeable change is – but the new dual sense controller is truly immersive. Adaptive triggers still astound me – in first person shooter games each gun will have different trigger points and recoils and in FIFA 21 as players get tired, holding down R2 becomes harder. It truly adds something which no other PlayStation has had before – and on top of that improved haptic feedback also adds tension to any scene.
I’ve found the PS5 a worthy upgrade to the PS4 Pro, it simply adds features that I didn’t even know the PS4 lacked – but once you’ve used them you will really miss it. Of course stock is a major issue currently (Dec 2020) but there is no real rush in all honesty as the launch titles were disappointing in my opinion. 2021’s lineup with God of War Rangnarok and Horizon Zero Dawn 2 are very exciting however and hopefully by then everyone who wants a PS5 can experience its greatness.
Sony have done a fantastic job with their new generation of console, the PlayStation 5.
I won’t bore with the specifications, however one thing is for sure, this thing is a “beast”, especially when considering the price of a PC with equivalent specifications would cost so much more.
It is important to note that there are two versions of the PS5; both have the exact same internal specifications including memory space (825GB SSD, with around 667GB of that being useable), so it’s down to your preference on how you buy games and whether you see any use in having a disc drive:
* PS5 – Digital Version: This is the cheapest model in the short-term. As this is lacking a disc drive you cannot watch Blu-Ray’s or put in game discs with this version. To purchase games, you will need to connect the console online by Wi-Fi or Ethernet and get them from the PlayStation store; buying games through this method is typically more expensive but it’s the convenience and freeing up space in your home.
* PS5 – Disc Version: Gives you the flexibility of buying physical copies of games or going digital and in addition you can watch DVD/Blu-Ray/UHD-Blu-Ray’s. The disc versions of games will still take up the same amount of storage space as they still need to install, though the bonus about having discs is that you can trade them in or sell them once you are done, unlike the digital copies.
Box Contents & Optional Extras
Whichever version you go for, you will get the following in the box:
* PS5 console.
* Console stand (horizontal & vertical use).
* DualSense wireless controller (x1).
* USB-C charging cable for controller.
* HDMI cable.
* AC power cable.
* Instructions (Do read them!).
There are many optional extras you can buy, though not necessary:
* DualSense controller (for additional players).
* DualSense charging station (useful for charging two controllers at one time).
* PS5 HD camera (recommended for those who like to stream/broadcast their games).
* PS5 media remote (a remote that fine-tuned for your media needs should you want it).
* 3D Pulse wireless headset (Utilises the PS5 ‘3D Audio’)*.
* Any headset with a 3.5mm cable is compatible by connecting it to the DualSense controller.
* External HDD (this is recommended if you are downloading PS4 games as it frees up the PS5’s main storage for PS5 games).
There is an internal M.2 SSD expansion slot, however, for the time being this slot is disabled until Sony announce or make available compatible SSD drives that can match the PS5’s on-board storage specifications.
Set-Up & Using
The set-up process is very simple and if you have an existing PS4, it will actually guide you from transferring your accounts, saved data and games directly! This can be done over the same WiFi but recommended to connect the two together via Ethernet cable.
If you’re new, it will guide you through the process including making an account (if you are a parent who wants more parental controls, you can look this up on the official PlayStation website).
The user interface is actually well thought-out and simple to navigate through including the console settings. The only thing I need to get past is my muscle memory of navigating around the PS4 for the last 7 years…
Performance
When it comes to graphics, the biggest jumps were certainly between the first four PlayStation consoles PS1 – PS2 – PS3 – PS4; with the PS5, there are a lot of games (not all) that will look similar in quality to the PS4 but the overall performance has been enhanced from quicker load-up times, more consistent frame-rates and stability, better transitions between cut-scenes (resulting in some being a seamless transition) to name a few, then there is ray-tracing which if a game supports this will blow your mind.
Typically when a PS5 games has ray-tracing, it will give you an option to choose between a lower frame-rate such as 30fps with ray-tracing or have 60fps with ray-tracing disabled. Most my friends including myself feel that 30fps with ray-tracing in the better option as it gives the gameplay a whole new breath of life. There are plenty of videos online to show you the difference of having ray-tracing and I would highly recommend you check it out.
Cooling: The console is extremely quiet despite handing games which are more demanding of specifications. I barely notice any noise being emitted from the console and it’s a nice change playing Call of Duty without my console sounding like a jet engine like my PS4 Pro did… Even after long gaming sessions, my console remains at a good temperature. NOTE: You should always place the console in an open space and at least 10cm away from a wall (if your console cannot “breathe” then it will be your fault to why it may overheat).
SPEED: As mentioned the loading times are brilliant but it’s also how quickly you can jump from one game to another, sometimes in seconds. For example: I was in the middle of playing a game when I got a notification that someone beat my high-score on Astro and with a click of the ‘PS’ button, I was in the other game ready to take on my friends score… Crazy!
Social: If you like communicating with your friends, the PS5 has made this even easier. The group function has been improved and allows you to screen-share to your WHOLE group (unlike the PS4 which limits it to one person) and they can pin your screen to any side/corner they want. My friend and I were both playing a game and we were also BOTH watching each others screens at the exact same time, such a great feature!
DualSense Controller
Since the original DualShock controller, Sony have made considerable improvements over the years as technology got better and better.
I can see why they have diverted from naming this controller DualShock 5 but instead calling it ‘DualSense’, the reasoning for this is certainly key changes such as the old rumble motor and has now opted for dual actuators which can replicate specific frequencies to give a more immersive experience through haptic feedback.
Another key feature are the adaptive triggers which allows the game developer to add resistance to the triggers. A perfect example which has been used many times to explain this is when you draw a bow, initially it’s very easy to pull back until it gets to a point where more and more resistance is applied making it tougher to go any further; developers can simulate these in the triggers.
The DualSense like the DualShock 4 also has an in-built microphone, speaker, touchpad, three-axis gyroscope and a three-axis accelerometer. With all the different sensory elements the new controller has in-built, it makes sense to call it “DualSense”.
Astro’s Playroom
At the time of review, ‘Astro’s Playroom’ is pre-installed on every console. Do not take a blind-eye to this game as you will be surprised at how good it is, despite your age!
This game utilises all features the DualSense controller has to offer and delivers an absolutely incredible experience based on that alone. The game has four main islands which concentrate the theme of each generation of the PlayStation and is packed full of references. It’s also not overly hard to earn a Platinum trophy either.
Final Thoughts
Like any console on launch there are limited options for next-generation games, but the ones that are available are typically getter very good reviews, including ‘Bug Snax’ which initially raised a lot of eye-brows at first. The compatibility with PS4 games is great and if you are a PlayStation Plus subscriber you have instant access to a wide-variety of top selling PS4 games, ideal for those who are moving from Xbox One to PS5.
All in all with the PS5 you are getting a console that can handle upcoming games with ease, a more user-friendly experience and a new controller which is going to upgrade your gaming to a whole new level.
Pros:
Wonderful console design.
User-friendly interface.
Great overall performance.
Better cooling system.
Robust & improved controller.
Neutral:
– Internal storage space is a bit limited.
Cons:
Buying games through the PlayStation store is quite pricey.
I spent six long hours trying to get this machine on release day for my boyfriend and let me tell you, his eyes lit up when he got it the very next day! It is so easy to set up and you can use the PS app on your phone to log in to make it all seamless! As with everything, there are pros and there are cons…
Pros:
– Amazing graphics… seriously they’re outstanding. Especially if you have a 4K HDR TV
– Great design.. though on the large side, I personally enjoy the design, colour and shape
– The controller is PHENOMENAL (apart from a little charging issue which is in the cons section). The vibration, the adaptive triggers in L2 and R2 that stiffen up and increase resistance, the mic in the controller, the design, the buttons, everything! I have very small hands and, though similar to Xbox, it’s smaller so easy for me to use!
– Really quiet… the PS4 used to sound like it was about to take flight
– Fun little PS game to play when you’re installing other games. Great for kids and adults!
– Downloads pretty quick.. COD: Cold War downloaded in just four hours for 80+ GB. On the PS4 this took around 9-10 hours
Cons:
– I don’t think it kicks out enough power to charge the controller when you’re playing. We plugged the charging cable’s USB in to an iPhone plug and this charged it fully
– It is absolutely HUGE!! Luckily we put ours under the sofa as all wires run through our walls so they’re not visible but it is so much bigger than the PS4
Also just to note that If you’re downloading Call Of Duty: Cold War, it will download the PS4 version first and then download the PS5 version. We figured this out pretty quickly and deleted the PS4 version from the download list (PS4 version will have everything individually: online, campaign, zombies etc. whereas the PS5 version has pretty much got everything in one install except campaign. It’s also a bigger download)
It’s just so cool! (remember to keep the back vents and side vent clear of obstructions by at least 5 inches – That’s why I keep it horizontal: to keep it cool too).
[Spoiler alert] The Astro’s playroom game has been a great introduction and active demo to PlayStation 5 – I have helped my 8 year old daughter to play and have enjoyed reminiscing about those PlayStation moments that pop up in the game.
I can’t fully enjoy it as I feel bad for those not able to get one yet (Scalpers should go to …… ) and don’t want to share too much so it’s not like bragging/evoking envy.
I have tried it out with Watchdogs London and it feels and looks great. I have also used it as a media station to watch Amazon Prime with the headphones on and its been a truly awesome experience.
As a package, it’s incredible. It’s peripherals with their signature nano PlayStation icons/grip texture are something special too:
1) The remote is cool, can spin like a fidget spinner, allows simple one button access to media platforms: Neg, can use controller instead so it could be an unnecessary cost? But it saves valuable time and effort, even if it’s seconds and ‘minimal’ – it’s worth it for me. Nano icon grip on rear shell/cover only – I wish it was on the front too.
2) The headset is awesome – I have never played/watched like this so find it great, can get into things more, hear more details. I never had a ps4 but think the idea to plug into the controller for audio was great, and now this wireless feature is perfect: Neg why does it need the usb adaptor for wireless… it can plug into the back of the ps5 and be hidden away but I still feel it should be built in than the way it is. Also, the nano icons grip texture is on the inner band. Again, I wish it was all over it but then again, maybe I just need to take the rough with the smooth.
3) The controller is great, can feel a variety of movements and the lighting bar is cool too. It’s amazing how the trigger buttons force feedback – I can imagine the realism as to not being able to pull a trigger as the trigger would be jammed – the button doesnt allow you to press further. The nano icons grip texture is on the rear shell – Again, I wish it was all over it.
4) The console itself looks a bit odd with the disk slot (you could buy the digital more symmetrical one), I have it horizontal to let heat dissipate upwards than up and across the board, the face of it looks a bit like a teenage mutant ninja turtle, slot as mouth, power and eject button as eyes behind the black eye band. I like the white ambient light when its on. I’m generally happy with it so far. It’s raised bit (on this disc version) even allows for a neat space to put your current games disc case away. Smart design! The nano icons grip texture is on the inner side of the top and bottom covers – Again, I wish it was all over but am beginning to see the advantage of the smooth sides – easier to wipe clean of dust etc.
First off, I’m not a devout fan of any console. I have absolutely no allegiances to one brand over another, so I hope my opinion is measured and impartial. As I say in the video, I’ve been a gamer since 1982 and the ZX Spectrum which I still have, and owned and still own most of the major consoles from Sega, Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony since then. If anything, I despised Sony originally for pretty much killing off Sega as a console manufacturer so believe me when I say I don’t give them an easy ride.
So, what do you get in the box? There’s the new DualSense joypad, a plastic stand to place the console on, the power cable, a HDMI cable, some literature and the PS5 itself. Nothing else bar the packaging. The reason I say that, is because there was no USB-C charging cable for the DualSense joypad in the box. Now, I don’t know if this is an oversight by Sony, whether there’s meant to be one or not, but there definitely wasn’t one in the box. And that’s important because within 20 seconds of you turning the PS5 on for the first time it tells you to connect the DualSense pad to the console by USB-C cable to allow pairing. Fortunately, I have spare cables knocking about, but they’re quite a new type of cable so not everyone will have one to hand. Please, if you’re buying this as a Christmas present, make sure you have the means to overcome this otherwise you’ll have some very grumpy children/partners throwing Brussel sprouts around.
There’s been a lot said about the size of the PS5, and yes it is taller/wider than the PS4 but not deeper. It’s a similar size to the PS2 in my opinion. What is more apparent is the odd shape of it. It’s a contoured, sculptured creation which is up to the beholder to decide whether it’s pretty or ugly. I’m still trying to make my mind up about it, but what I do think is that it’s just a little bizarre. I admit to having not realised for a while I’d actually got it upside down. And it rocks when you place it down horizontally. It’s most peculiar, and really looks better standing vertically. In my office/games room I’ve tucked it away on a bookshelf where it’s sitting quite discreetly, but in a living room it’s going to be conspicuous. It’s going to stand out certainly, and I think that might have been what Sony were hoping to achieve. And, if I’m totally blunt, it’s certainly no worse than the two new Xboxes which seem to have been designed with the least amount of effort possible. It’ll be interesting to see how the white case and DualSense controllers weather and age. I suspect they’ll end up quite dirty and horrid over time, and I’d much preferred to have had a black console like the PS4.
Moving on to the first boot-up, I wasn’t sure what I was going to find. I was hoping for a seamless transition, such as you’d get when you buy a new iPhone when everything just appears with virtually no interaction from yourself, but it’s not quite like that. Assuming that you have your PS4 saves and data either in the PS Plus cloud or on an external drive it’s relatively straightforward but not entirely painless. During the first boot you’ll need to pair the DualSense, log on to your PS account, select what data you want to transfer from your PS4 if you have one, choose some apps to install and select various privacy, family and T&C options. When you arrive at the home screen it’s a little different to what you might be familiar with. Much of it is very slick and I quite like it, such as the dedicated location for streaming apps which make it quicker to boot up Netflix of Spotify for example. But, there are a few things I’m not so much of a fan of. There seems to be several instances where there are more button presses to accomplish an action than on the PS4. Closing a game down fully or turning off the console take several key presses and I feel may become irritating. On the whole though, it is a strong user interface. In operation the PS5 has performed almost silently. It was on for 9 straight hours earlier and if it wasn’t for the illuminated chassis, I wouldn’t have known it was on. Certainly no banshee-like scream of the PS4.
Game wise, I can only comment about PS4 backward compatibility because I’ve not bought any PS5 games. I’ve been quite disappointed by the games available at launch, but that’s been true of virtually every new console. Spider-man Miles Morales is the headline game, but with the very best will in the world it is a very expensive, if very good, DLC expansion to the great Spider-man game that came out two years ago on PS4. Is it a game to buy a PS5 on the strength of? No, it isn’t. However, the 2021 line up of games including the sequel to the sensation Horizon Zero Dawn and God of War are enough for me to choose the PlayStation over the Xbox, but throw in Gran Turismo 7 and I’m all in. But, until then, I’m sticking with playing my large library of PS4 games. I’ve got dozens of games I’ve not even played yet, so I’m now going to be playing them at a higher frame rate and with quicker load times.
Load times. There’s another feature that there’s been a lot of talk about. The PS5 uses a supremely fast SSD (Solid State Drive) which is so much quicker than the traditional drives found in previous consoles. The PlayStation has always had a poor load time, but now it promises to be much better. As you can see on my video, I did a side-by-side test of the PS4 and PS5 to see how long it would take to power on the console to the home screen, then open up Dirt Rally 2 and load up a stage. The PS4 clocked in a 1 minute 47 while the PS5 was 1 minute 25, with a few extra page scrolls to get the correct stage. If I’m honest, while it is quicker, I was expecting it to be even faster. I don’t know if that’s because it’s a PS4 game and not optimised to take advantage of an SSD drive, but I suppose any improvement in speed is a good thing.
What isn’t so good, however, is the capacity of the drive. It’s only 825GB, which by the time I got to the screen to select what games to install was only 513GB of space available. This really will cause problems. I had to have a long discussion with myself as to what games I wanted to have installed on the PS5, and it was like choosing a favourite child. GT Sport alone is 105GB! I installed 6 games and had 45GB leftI’m kind of glad I’ve not installed any PS5 games. My PS4 had a 2TB drive installed, and even then I had to keep cleaning it up. I’m not sure how I’m going to survive with a quarter of that available to me. Now, yes, there is potential for expansion drives. At the time of writing though Sony are only allowing the use of those for PS4 games as they say no third-party hard drive performs fast enough to allow PS5 games to work at optimum speed. So, as it stands, be thrifty with your installations.
Let’s talk for a moment about the new DualSense joypad, something that has gotten a lot of people excited. And rightly so. The shoulder triggers have haptic motion feedback which feels more natural than the whole pad vibrating. For firing weapons, or racing games, it works really well and I think that game developers will come up with ways to make the most of it. However, it wasn’t all perfect. After using the pad for the last few hours I’ve had a few reservations, mostly down to it being quite a different device to the old DualShock pad that we know and love. Firstly, it feels very different in the hand. It’s a bulkier unit, filling the hand more than the DualShock. It reminded me very much of the Xbox pad in many ways, which may or may not make you happy. I also felt that it didn’t have quite the same balance as the Dualshock, a pad that was weighted a little towards you while the DualSense just leans away a little. The right thumb buttons and left thumb direction pad buttons are a very smooth clear plastic, and my thumbs didn’t seem to grip the surface quite so well as the old pad. When playing a Resogun, a classic left-right scrolling shooter with quick changes of direction, I didn’t feel quite so positive in my movement. Quite the opposite was true of the analogue joysticks though, which have quite a rough texture to them which I have to be totally honest was starting to feel just a little uncomfortable after really not that long playing. The PS button in between the sticks is no longer round, but in the shape of the PS logo that makes it easier to locate it, which is needed because there is a microphone mute button directly below it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve turned the mic off today. Lastly, the charging port on the top for a USB cable means that some third-party charging docks have to have the pad placed upside down or have an extra dongle attached, both of which are unsightly. The vast majority of my issues with the new DualSense, however, are unfamiliarity. I’ve used DualShocks for so many years that a change is difficult to absorb. One thing I’ll add to the controller discussion is that happily the Logitech G29 steering wheel is compatible with the PS5. Owners of the G27 will remember that they weren’t compatible with the PS4 when that came out, so it’s nice to see that issue hasn’t re-emerged.
So, what are my thoughts in conclusion? I would never suggest it’s better or worse than an Xbox, it’s up to you to look at the games coming out in the next year or so to decide which best appeals to you. It will also take a significantly larger investment to get a PC that outperforms these latest consoles, and trust meI have spent thousands upon thousands on gaming rigs over the years and seen little in return at the end of their lives.
I hadn’t been carried along in the hype about the PS5 as I felt there was a lot of things that could have been better. The size of the hard drive, the lack of Dolby Atmos support, question marks over Variable Refresh Rate support and 8K compatibility for example. I bought the PS5 as an early investment because my PS4 Pro retains good value at the moment and I can lessen the impact of buying the new console. After a couple of days in the PS5’s company I have yet to catch fire with excitement. At this very moment, it’s a PS4 Pro Extreme. It’s going to be a few months, certainly well into next year, before the games will come along that will truly make us all go “wow, this is awesome”. Which is why I say to you that if you are able to get your hands on one, by all means do it. The potential of this thing is immense, and it’s going to blow us all away. But while that remains just potential, I suggest then that you not be disappointed if you can’t get hold of one. Don’t feel that you’re missing out on something, because in truth right at this very minute you’re not.
I was able to buy a PS5 just before they run out of stock and I do not regret buying it.
The size of the console is huge and the design is incredibly detailed. Huge, white and black, the shape reminds me of a building in Dubai. And the design and size of the console is unforgettable as I can see that Sony is trying to represent the future of gaming. Gaming will continue to have an impact over the years, even during the COVID era.
The one thing I was excited about the console is opening it up. And when I did, I was impressed. The UI is magnificent, so good I can’t stop looking at it and even playing with it. I liked that the console had Astro Playroom pre installed on it and what surprised me the most was that I’m able to continue a game without losing progress. Even the console has PS4 games in the PS stores, thus fulfilling their promise of having backwards compatibility for their console even though backwards compatibility is still lacking from Xbox but I do hope they will continue to make this better over the years.
Now for the performance, it blew my mind with it’s HDR and 4k resolution. I bought Spider Man Miles Morales and Call of Duty Cold War as my first games for the console and the console took advantage of the performance and quality of the games. It felt like I was watching a movie when playing those games with the most magnificent quality held by the most powerful console in the world. And what makes it even better is the controller. Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers were one of the things that made my gaming experiences in this console much better as I felt like something is happening when playing a game with their controller known as the Duelsense.
People would say that this console suffered a download bug, luckily it didn’t happen to me as this problem was fixed. But the only problem I had was the prices of the games that Playstation Studios have made. 70, man that is too expensive for a game but I understand since developers have been making games for the next generation and that games are getting more expensive. An expensive game is too much but I hope they make it I don’t know 60 or 50, not 70 as it’s too much.
PS5 is one of the best consoles I have ever played and I recommend this to people who want to experience the next generation of gaming.
One thing to beware of indeed a HDMI 2.1 cable is included but it’s quite short.. it’s long enough to go from my TV to the PS5.. however if I didn’t have a second shelf as in the photograph and the PS5 was where the PS3 is in the photograph the included hdmi cable wouldn’t reach!!!
As for settinf up the console there is some very important things I need to describe that you must do and must not do!!. Firstly obviously turn it on.. make sure the controller is connected to the PS5 via the included usb-c cable.. the PS5 will power on.. it’ll ask for your WiFi details.. it’ll then ask if you want to download software update… You do!!! That’ll update etc etc.. then it’ll ask for your PSN account email and password… Next is the important part.. it will ask if you want to transfer all of your data from your PS4 to your new PS5!!.. Now you can do this over your WiFi or by means of connecting both consoles to each other via an ethernet cable!… In both cases both consoles have to be powered on, connected to your same home WiFi and both consoles must be signed into the same PSN account!!!.. now I stupidly decided to do this over wi-fi as I couldn’t find an ethernet cable…. It literally took 17+ hours from 4pm till 7am to transfer all data… Now what I couldn’t find until 1am is how long is left till it’s finished… To do this on the PS5 home screen press the black PlayStation logo on the controller, at the bottom of the screen you’ll see a bar of icons that used to be at the top on PS4, go along till you see an icon with dots and an arrow at the bottom.. click that and it’ll tell you how many hours are left!!.. it also gives the option to cancel and delete the tranfer. I HIGHLY recommend you don’t do that, as there has been many reports of consoles bricking due to currupted SSDs!!!. While the transfer is doing you must leave both consoles on.. and you cannot turn the PS4 off even if you press the power button at the front.. DON’T DO THIS as it’s likely to currupt your new PS5 and possibly your PS4…. Find a ethernet cable plug one end into the back of your PS5 the other into the back of your PS4 choose that option on the PS5 screen and it’ll literally transfer everything in 30+40minutes not 17+ hours!!.
Once that’s done the consoles wonderful it runs very quietly to me it’s silent, games load very quickly currently I’m only playing PS4 games some look slightly better than on PS4pro some appear to run smoother… Astros playroom is fantastic for a free tech demo it’s actually quite a long game.. and my gosh the new duel sense controller really is incredible you have to play this game to try it it’s amazing!!!!!
Other than that highly recommend it, just while new until further system updates are released do not put the system into rest mode and turn off power saving options to put the console into rest mode after X time left idel as there has also been reports systems put into rest mode are crashing and bricking!!!
So yes summing up highly recommend it’s great, I’m looking forward to playing next gen games, will buy spider man MM when it goes down in price and legion etc. If you can get one buy it.. DO NOT buy from nasty scalpers wait out for Amazon to have stock incase you do get a defective unit Amazon’s returns and customer service is incredible!. Highly recommended!.