The PS5 defines itself as truly next-gen thanks to its DualSense controller, progressive user interface and fast SSD storage solution that allows for bigger, more detailed worlds. The original PS5 Premium and PS5 Digital consoles landed on 12 November 2020, however, they were replaced in November 2023 by PS5 Premium Slim and PS5 Digital Slim variants. These are significantly smaller, and have slightly larger internal SSD drives, but are otherwise the same.
Pros
Actually feels like a next-gen experience when you boot it up
Unique, customised hardware offers stability and speed
The DualSense is an amazing advance in controller technology
Gamers with a long memory may remember the 1970s and the first generation of video game consoles. The Magnavox Odyssey may not be as fondly remembered as the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive or Atari 2600, but it kicked off a tradition that still occurs today.
Ever since, consoles have cycled in generations. Each is expected to bring with it a huge leap in technology and gaming experiences. And that brings no end in excitement.
In November 2020, the eighth generation of consoles closed and the ninth generation began. The two consoles leading the pursuit for gaming greatness were the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5. There is some debate among gamers as to whether the Nintendo Switch was an early entry into the ninth generation or the company's second eighth-generation console, but regardless, it's not trying to compete at the tip of the technical spear like its peers.
For many, it's a case of PS5 vs XSX. In this article we go deep on all the features of the PlayStation 5 and what they mean, but for our general thoughts on the platform itself, check out our PS5 review.
PS5 Specs
Manufacturer: Sony Computer Entertainment Release date: 12 November 2020 PS5 Slim Premium price: AUD$799.95 PS5 Digital Edition Slim price: AUD$679.95 DualSense controller price: AUD$109.95 Estimated dimensions: 26cm(d)×10.4cm(w)×39cm(h) Estimated weight: 4.5kg CPU: 8-core AMD Zen 2, 3.5GHz variable frequency Power: 10.28 teraflops GPU: Custom AMD RDNA 2-based GPU Storage: NVMe M.2 1TB SSD at 5.5GB/s (RAW) to 9GB/s (compressed) read speed Memory: 16GB GDDR6 256-bit with 448GB/s bandwidth Controller: DualSense, PSVR Features: 3D Audio, ray-tracing, 8K ready, HDMI 2.1 Optical: 4K UHD Blu-ray (premium model only) Compatible: PS5, some PS4, some PSVR Predecessor: PlayStation 4
Below, you will find an overview of our thoughts about the PS5. However, we also have a more detailed PlayStation 5 review you can access for a deeper analysis.
Sony cleaned up in the previous generation of consoles, with the PS4 more than doubling the sales of the Xbox One. With that in mind, the company could have played it safe and kept on going in the same direction. But it hasn't; it's taken a risk and looked to innovate. It pays off.
Unlike the Xbox Series X, the PS5 feels like a much different machine than its predecessor. The new user interface brings with it a new way of interacting with the worlds of gaming – one that feels organic and connected. The console is lightning fast while being super quiet, and the 3D Audio brings with it a more realistic experience for your ears.
But it's the DualSense controller that really helps set the PS5 apart. Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers are true game changers, bringing the controller and – by extension – the player into a game's world. It doesn't hurt that the controller also brings great new speakers, a touchpad, a mic and more to the table as well.
The new design is a bit of a shock, but it's a grower. Especially now we know you can customise it with third-party faceplates.
There's no doubting that Sony has the first-party quality to really deliver with exclusives games, too. And while the launch line-up wasn't amazing, Sony boasted significantly more day-one exclusive experiences than its rival. It has since built on that with consistent, varied releases that can satisfy multiple demographics. It also stands the console in good stead that major middleware solution Unreal Engine is in the PS5's court. Plus, the compatibility and functionality of PS VR2 is still a huge win for the PlayStation.
Its biggest issue is the lack of a service as compelling as Xbox Game Pass. That is slowly changing and since launch Sony has closed the gap with it's PlayStation Plus subscriptions, but there's still a gulf.
Yet if we look at the PS5 strictly through the lens of whether it delivers a next-gen gaming experience, the answer is a resounding "wow!"
The PS5 Slim explained
Depending on when you read this, the original PS5 models may be tough to come by. In November 2023, Sony replaced the original model with a new PS5 Slim variant for both its Premium and Digital Edition consoles.
It's important to note that these are not a PS5 Pro upgrade that improves the console's power. In terms of the specifications, the only notable difference is a slight - but welcomed - increase in the internal SSD storage space. It has grown from 825GB to 1TB.
Outside of that, it's all about creating a more svelte design. The volume of both consoles is down 30%. The original model was a behemoth, so this is a good thing. Although even in its new form, it's still bigger than the Xbox Series X.
The Slim variants can be determined from the black horizontal bar across its front plate. The top portion now takes on a glossy look, too, even if the bottom remains matte. You can swap it out with new PS5 covers, with white giving way to Black, Volcanic Red, Cobalt Blue or Sterling Silver depending on your taste.
Intererstingly, the HD Ultra Blu-ray Disc Drive is now sold separately. If you buy the Digital Edition Slim console, you can now at a later date add the disc drive back in for $159.95 in Australia.
When was the PlayStation 5 released in Australia?
The PlayStation 5 released in Australia on 12 November 2020. A thursday! The PS5 launched two days after rival console the Xbox Series X.
What's the difference between PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition?
At the initial reveal event of the PlayStation 5 console, two versions of the system were announced: the PlayStation 5 and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition. Unlike the two Xbox consoles (Series X and Series S), the only difference between the two PS5 consoles is the existence of a Blu-ray disc drive in the premium model. They have the same power inside.
As a result, the price difference isn't as great, but it's still compelling. Do you really need a Blu-ray drive in 2023 and beyond? If you stream all your music and TV and download all your games, then you may as well save yourself the money.
The only thing you really need to consider is whether you have a lot of PS4 games on discs you still want to play. Obviously, you cannot play them on the Digital Edition console. In fact, even if they're games that come with a free PS5 upgrade, you can't access that upgrade with a Digital Edition PS5 as the game must first be installed.
As mentioned above, you can now choose the Digital Edition console, and install the HD Ultra Blu-ray Disc Drive later if you like. And it's worth noting that patents have also been filed for what would appear to be a mid-generation PS5 Pro console.
How much is the PlayStation 5 in Australia?
The premium PlayStation 5 model (original and Slim) costs $799.95 in Australia. The PS5 Digital Edition Slim is $679.95, while the Digital Edition original is $649.95, if you can find it.
Having to release a console head-to-head with its rival means Sony was somewhat cornered on price with its premium model. There is no advantage to gamers either way when it comes to the top-line models. They're the same price. It means a comparison of features and between games (PS5 games list | XSX games list) is where decisions will be made.
When it comes to the Digital Edition, Sony has been caught out by the Xbox Series S. Microsoft decided on a secondary model that cuts down on power so it can significantly cut down on cost. It means you can play next-gen games, albeit not in all their glory, for a more affordable price.
With the Digital Edition, you can save $120 by ditching the Blu-ray drive, which, as mentioned, is certainly worth considering. But it will still look, on store shelves, like a less compelling option than the Xbox Series S at a glance. Even though, when you compare the power of the PS5 DE and XSS, the former offers significantly more than the $180 price difference would suggest.
How much is a PS5 game?
PlayStation 5 games are more expensive than PlayStation 4 games – at least, when you look at the highest end premium blockbusters. For these titles, you can expect a $10 price jump from old-gen games. For example, the PS4 version of Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War is $109.95, whereas it's $119.95 on PS5.
Design: Does the PS5 look good?
Bold new look
Designed to stand vertically, but can sit horizontally
Type-A and Type-C USB ports
UHD 4K Blu-ray disc drive on premium model only
Customisable faceplates
It took some time for Sony fans to adjust to the bold new design of the PlayStation 5. Whether you stand it vertically or horizontally, it's a spectacle. The rectangular inner box is sandwiched between two angled sails, resulting in a look that's ultra-modern.
But is it too much?
We wanted to do something that was bold and daring almost. We wanted something forward facing and future facing, something for the 2020s.”
The Internet was harsh in its initial reaction, with many commentators throwing vomit emojis in its direction. I wouldn't go that far as I've warmed to it. Especially as more devices in the ecosystem join it, like the PS VR2 headset and the INZONE headsets. You have to give credit to Sony for being brave and trying something new. And the design certainly stands in stark contrast to the pillar-from-the-gods look of Microsoft's Xbox Series X.
The console improves when you get it in your hands. The sail faceplates are much sturdier than they look and have a texture to them that gives it an expensive feel.
Plus the look ties into the announced peripherals in a cohesive way. The new DualSense controller, the Pulse 3D headset, the HD camera, earbuds, a sleek new Media Remote and a DualSense charging station have all been released. As a collective, the feel of the new console is easier to swallow, and you do start to get a better idea of Sony's vision.
One complaint I do have is the decision to put the USB ports halfway up the front of the machine. No matter which way you place the console in front of your TV, using that port will mean having something dangling right in the centre of the machine. Surely it could have been placed at an edge?
How big is the PlayStation 5?
Surprisingly, given the Japanese-based company's previously svelte designs, the PS5 is huge. It's approximately 20% taller and wider than the its PS4 Pro predecesor and you notice it straight away. This is the biggest console of all time and it could end up being an awkward fit in many gamer's entertainment units.
Officially, the original PS5 premium console is 104mm (height) x 390mm (width) x 260mm (deep). It also weighed in at 4.5kg. The PS5 Slim cut that down to 96mm x 358mm x 216mm, and 3.2kg. But that's still big.
The increased size of the console is said to be a result of its cooling needs. Extra power creates extra heat, so that does make sense. I can confirm that the console is very quiet and does not vibrate. But I was surprised during my time with the console how much heat it still produced.
(It's bigger because of) thermals. This generation is like little supercomputers. While the 7 nm processor delivers amazing heat performance for the power, the power is still very extreme.”
PS5 customisable faceplates
After much speculation, Sony confirmed post launch that you can change the faceplates on the PS5. You don't have to have a white console. The faceplates themselves clip off quite easily, allowing access to the console beneath. This will be widely used by gamers looking to upgrade the internal hard drive of the PS5. However, you can also use it to add your own sense of flair to the machine.
Before launch, one third-party company had already hit the market with black, silver, blue, red and camo variations of the faceplates. They look great if generic, but Sony put a stop to it quickly. Within a week, legal threats had forced the company to take the faceplates off sale.
The DualSense controller
Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers are awesome
Controller has a built-in mic, speaker and headphone jack
Touchpad retained and Share button evolved into Create
The PS5 controller will not work with PSVR
Expensive at $109.95 each
The DualShock controller has been a staple of the PlayStation playing experience for 25 years, but it's officially dead. It has been replaced by the DualSense controller for the PlayStation 5, which has a refined shape that is said to accommodate a bigger range in hand sizes. So, ogres and kids will both be happy.
I'm more on the ogre side of things and find the controller to be much more comfortable and sturdier than the DualShock 4. However, my fingers did extend further than I would have liked around the triggers, which made it a bit challenging to shift them up to the bumpers.
Sony believes the name DualSense is more indicative of how the controller behaves thanks to two big additions. And as you will read in our extensive DualSense review, they're awesome.
The first is haptic feedback, which is effectively the next level in force feedback rumble tech. Rather than just being an effect, the vibrations felt through the controller more accurately reflect the gameplay and provide a sensation that has meaning. I've experienced this firsthand and was blown away. You can feel the surface your character is walking on right through the controller, while the precision and kick in the vibration is sublime.
The second is adaptive triggers, whereby the pressure required to pull a trigger is reflective of the gameplay. For example, pulling back the string of a bow gets harder as you progress to better get across the tension of that action. This, too, feels incredible. It deepens your immersion in the game world by tangibly connecting you to it.
The haptic feedback has since been adopted into the PS VR2 headset as well.
After launch, a DualSense Edge controller emerged in late 2022. It retains most of the features, but adds plenty of customisation options and extra buttons for pro players.
Returning features evolved
The touchpad is retained, as are motion controls, but the coloured bar that ran along the front of the DualShock 4 has been axed. As a result, the PS5 controller does not work with the PSVR headset – you'll need to stick with your old PS4 controller for that.
The Share button has been renamed Create and with the help of the in-built mic and a new HD camera that is optimised for streaming, you're more empowered to share your experiences with the world. The microphone is also used for voice commanding the user interface, talking to friends online and also in gameplay. For example, you can blow into it to create a wind effect in-game.
Elsewhere the new speakers are a delight, helped by the 3D Audio technology. Rather than weak generic sounds, the audio coming out of the controller really does enhance the gameplay. A headphone jack is also included on the DualSense itself, allowing the controller to work with many existing headsets.
But all this goodness comes at a cost, with the DualSense coming in at a very expensive $109.95.
You need to experience it directly because this is very difficult to explain both verbally and in text, but the DualSense haptics and adaptive triggers felt so good that it made us, the developers, say, 'Woah!' because they allowed for us to feel and experience the various actions and attacks like never before.”
Will PS4 controllers work on the PS5?
It's a case of yes and no. Many gamers had their fingers crossed in the hope that their DualShock 4 controllers from the PS4 era would work on the PS5. Microsoft has announced that the XSX will allow for such flexibility, but Sony isn't being as generous with the PlayStation 5.
Potentially, it's for good reason. The DualSense controller brings a significant overhaul to what we've enjoyed for years with the DualShock series. So much so that Sony argues that the games built for PS5 lean too much on the new controller's features and therefore can't be played with an old DualShock.
That makes sense, but it's still set to hurt consumers' back pockets – especially families keen on local multiplayer.
It's not all bad news. The PS4 controllers will sync with the PlayStation 5 console, so it can be used if you are playing a backwards compatible game. As in, if you play a PS4 game on your PS5, you can get away with a DualShock 4.
Is the DualSense bigger than the DualShock?
If you're wondering what the size and feel difference is between the two controllers, we have an image for you below. The DualSense is definitely bigger, although curved more invitingly. As a result, your hand actually fits it better.
Experience: The PS5 user interface
100% overhaul of the PS4 UI for PS5
Will be much more customisable
To offer Netflix-like speed and integrated store
PlayStation Activities brings faster loads
Picture-in-picture mode lets videos overlay game
Multiple accessibility options
On 16 October 2020, Sony officially unveiled its user interface. As had been previously claimed, the PS5 UI has received a complete overhaul. Unlike the Xbox Series X, which stays true to its existing UI, the experience on the PS5 immediately feels futuristic. Just watch the video below for yourself.
A host of new features come to the table. Customisable cards bring with them easier, instant access to friends, parties and various components of a game. You can even watch a friend's screen in real-time via a picture-in-picture mode or use the in-built help system to get tips on how to get past difficult parts of a game. These can even be video tips, which again can be played in picture-in-picture mode.
Shopping no longer requires going into a separate menu, but the entire game card is viewable on the UI as you browse. Not only can you buy DLC or see shared content here, but you can jump straight into a certain part of the game. This is part of the touted PlayStation Activities feature (more below).
Another neat trick comes from the way the UI and the new DualSense controller work together. The DualSense has a built-in mic, meaning you can chat instantly with friends or other players just by talking out loud – you don't need a headset. Plus, you can dictate commands rather than pressing buttons to input them, which is awesome.
Sony believes that "playing a PS5 game should be as easy as Netflix", pointing towards not just the ease of browsing and discovering experiences, but also jumping instantly in and out of games. This is a feature enabled by the new SSD storage solution and the overall power of the PS5.
Sony has been regularly tweaking and adding to the UI since launch, with many accessibility features and even Dolby Atmos support.
(Expect a) very interesting evolution of the OS. It's practical first, but it's a whole new visual language and a complete rearchitecting of the user interface. A 100 per cent overhaul of the PS4 UI with some very different, new concepts. It's also customisable in ways previous gens weren't. (Overall, the OS is) more subtle than flashy, but no pixel is untouched.”
What are PlayStation Activities on PS5?
Sony has been heralding the speed of its SSD hard drive and how quickly games will load ever since the console was first announced. But the PlayStation Activities feature takes it to another level again.
PlayStation Activities allows specific parts of a game to be quick loaded directly from the UI without going to the main menu. If you want to jump straight to a certain track in a racing game, you can bypass the main menu and jump right onto the circuit. You can also leap directly into the multiplayer mode of a game or straight into a game your friends are already playing.
Indeed, the latter example goes quite deep, allowing individual matches already in play to be populated in real-time. This sounds similar to the pre-matchmaking days of online PC gaming – one where you'd literally see a list of IP addresses you could join, although it looks a lot sexier than that. It's possible this concept could also extend to tournaments or even just spectating.
PlayStation Activities is a big win for Sony, taking the clunkiness away from some of the bigger games and breaking down the barrier to entry. Look at Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. It has a laborious load to the overall main menu, just so you can start the next load to multiplayer, just so you load from the match-type menu. Argh!
Even though it will be fairly fast to boot games (on PS5), we don't want the player to have to boot the game, see what's up, boot the game, see what's up. Multiplayer game servers will provide the console with the set of joinable activities in real time. Single player games will provide information like what missions you could do and what rewards you might receive for completing them. And all of those choices will be visible in the UI. As a player you just jump right into whatever you like.”
What apps are coming to PS5?
Most important apps are available on PlayStation 5. This includes Australian apps like Stan, BINGE and Kayo Sports. Plus all your global apps like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Crunchyroll, Disney+, Netflix, Plex, Spotify, Twitch and YouTube.
PlayStation app updated for PS5
A few weeks after the launch of the PS5 console, Sony updated its mobile app significantly. It brings a new user interface to the app that more directly aligns with the new UI of the PS5 itself. This includes an integrated store, a PlayStation news feed and the ability to manage games remotely. The latter is particularly useful, allowing you to turn on your PS5 and start a game downloading from anywhere.
The app will also double as a social interaction tool. Message integration into the PlayStation app is just the start, as you can also party up with 15 friends and enjoy voice chat through the app. We're sure the Create feature of the new DualSense controller will also connect with the app. You should be able to interact and share your creations.
Will the PS5 have PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now?
Yes, the PlayStation Plus membership program has continned, but it's now broadened into three tiers. The original Essential variant (online play, a couple of free games a month), and the Extra and Premium tiers. We have a full breakdown of the PlayStation Plus tiers and what you get. But the key takeaways is that Extra gives you access to a large game library that you can play on-demand. While Premium also brings in cloud streaming.
Due to the latter, PlayStation Now has been absorbed into PlayStation Premium.
Prices are $11.95 (Essential), $18.95(Extra) and $21.95 (Premium) per month.
Performance and specs
Eight-core AMD Zen 2 CPU
Custom AMD RDNA 2-based GPU
10.28 teraflops of power
Support for ray-tracing
1TB SSD is tight
8K capable, 4K at 120fps and 3D Audio enabled
If you're a regular Joe or Jill, much of the specs listed above will go right over your head. Don't worry, it's like that for most of us. On paper, the PS5 is on a level with the best consumer PCs currently on the market. It would also appear to be slightly behind the Xbox Series X, which claims 12.1 teraflops, in power.
However, that's not the full story. Rather than take off-the-shelf components, Sony has worked to customise not only the way the PS5's power behaves but also the speed of its SSD storage. These two tweaks are said to make the PS5 a lot more powerful than it looks on paper and there is a stream of developers coming forward to crow as much. Look at the above video, for example.
Certainly the read speed of the SSD, which goes up to 9GB/s with compressed files, is impressive. Nearly double that of the XSX! And the argument that the extra teraflops of the XSX are nullified by its slower SSD bottlenecking power makes sense. Microsoft argues it solves this issue with its Xbox Velocity Architecture, of course, so only time will tell if Sony's direction offers better results. It's likely much of a muchness.
Expandable storage on PS5
But there are still reasons to be concerned. The original 825GB internal SSD (and even the Slim's new 1TB stoarge) is very small, only marginally more than the PS4 when it came out in 2013. And that dives by 160GB once the operating system is installed!
Games take up a lot of space – sometimes upwards of 100GB, especially after patches and DLC. So, you'll only be able to have a handful of games accessible at any one time.
In the PS4 era, you could just buy an external SSD to compensate. I have three hanging out of my PS4; it looks horrible. But Sony has made it clear that if you want your game to behave well and look great, it needs to be installed on that internal SSD as it's so unique. This sounds like grounds for a lot of frustrating storage management and multiple re-downloads.
You can buy an additional SSD hard drive equivalent to the internal NVMe M.2, with third-party manufacturers like Samsung and Western Digital lining up offerings. They can be self-installed by removing the faceplates from the PS5 and accessing the slot in the console proper. It's more finicky than the XSX system, where you just insert an SD-like cartridge into the rear of the console, but that's not the big problem. These specialised SSDs are expensive; you're looking at upwards of AUD$800 for 2TB. You can read up on our comparison of the best PS5 SSD drives.
To be fair, the XSX and its gamers are in the same boat, but it still hurts.
What is Tempest and 3D Audio for PS5?
Don't underestimate the value of good sound to a video-gaming experience. If you've never used a top-notch headset or sound system, you may not realise the impact it has on immersion. Not just that, but accurate sound also greatly improves your reaction time in games. It'll boost your frag count significantly!
For the PS5, Sony has developed its own audio engine called Tempest, which is built around 3D Audio. If you haven't heard of 3D Audio before, it's the lesser known alternative to Dolby Atmos (which is being used with Xbox Series X). 3D Audio is considered an evolutionary leap ahead of Atmos, however. That's because it recreates the way sound moves, bounces and refracts on its journey through an environment in relation to the movement of the player's head.
It understands, for example, that when you turn your head, the way the sound hits your ears should be different. The sound doesn't turn with your head. While this is great in general gaming, the way it will improve the PSVR experience, where you feel like you are in the world, is what has us most excited.
How does HDMI 2.1 change gaming?
As of the launch of both next-generation consoles, the latest standard in HDMI technology is 2.1. It's a step up from the HDMI 2.0b most TVs and consoles of the last four years have been using. It can transfer data at much higher speeds, allowing for the consoles to hit the peaks of 8K resolution and 4K at 120fps, as well as deliver lossless audio. Even 4K at 60fps is a struggle on HDMI 2.0b.
So, while it's good news that the PS5 has an HDMI 2.1 port, it also doesn't provide those high resolutions and frame rates unless your TV has a reciprocal HDMI 2.1 port. If your TV has an HDMI 2.0b or earlier port, well, your visuals will be bottlenecked to that speed. It's something to keep in mind; don't dream of 120fps gaming if you don't have the TV to support it.
Accessibility options on PS5
Not all gamers experience our world in the same way and Sony has actively looked to provide multiple accessibility options. This includes voice dictation, screen reader (which reads on-screen text out loud), text-to-voice in party chat, closed captions and button assignment options. You'll also find an array of colour correction options both on the hardware and in games.
The DualSense also plays a role in accessibility. Not only are the mic and in-built speakers used to facilitate some of the options listed above, but you can deactivate haptic feedback and adaptive triggers if desired.
What is PS5 Game Boost?
In response to Microsoft's Optimised for Xbox X|S feature, Sony has PS5 Game Boost. This feature utilises the additional power of the PS5 to improve the playing experience of PS4 backwards compatible games. The notable focus being better (or at least more stable) frame rates, improved resolutions and faster load times. Some, but not all, games will also benefit from new UI features such as PlayStation Activities and DualSense support.
Sony has made a point, however, of saying such benefits will only come if the developer of the game adds PS5 support via a patch (except for improved loading times). So, whether PS5 Game Boost offers a tangible difference to the backwards compatible game you want to play or not is unclear.
What games are on the PlayStation 5?
New Gran Turismo, Spider-Man, Horizon, God of War and Ratchet & Clank games
Backwards compatible with the "overwhelming majority" of PS4 games
Free backwards compatible games offered at launch via PlayStation Plus
Japanese studios supporting the PS5
Motion control and virtual reality game support
Sony has won the initial battle when it comes to best launch line-up, although not without a bit of luck. Microsoft had hinged its Xbox Series X launch on Halo Infinite, but the blockbuster game eventually succumbed to the struggles of coronavirus and was pushed back into 2021. It leaves the console barren of major exclusives and reliant on big multiformat games.
Of course, those same multiformat titles are coming to PlayStation 5, with games like Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Watch Dogs Legion, NBA 2K21 and Dirt 5 leading the charge. But they're supported by a substantial collection of diverse exclusive titles, too.
PS5 exclusives
The big, marquee release is a follow-up to mega-hit Marvel's Spider-Man, called Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales. It's not a true sequel in that it uses the existing game engine and world, but it still delivers a full new story experience. And after the original game became the most successful superhero game of all time, we can expect it to be one of the PS5 launch's most played games.
Elsewhere, every player will get the free, built-in platformer Astro's Playground. It's not a huge game, but it is a lot of fun (I've played it!) Families can also dive into Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Bugsnax (which is free in November for PlayStation Plus members), moody indie title The Pathless and racer WRC 9. There's also an exclusive Demon's Souls remake and an intriguing online looter-brawler Godfall to explore.
Continuing with a focus on exclusives, a host of big-name franchises will come to the PS5 in 2021. New games in the Gran Turismo, Horizon, God of War and Ratchet & Clank series are announced. The delayed first-party vehicular combat game Destruction AllStars is also due in February. And despite being bought by Microsoft, Arkane still plans to launch its upcoming Deathloop title as a timed PS5 exclusive.
As we've seen in previous generations, third-party support from leading Japanese studios also looks strong. Square Enix (Project Athia), Tango Gameworks (Ghostwire: Tokyo) and Capcom (Pragmata, Resident Evil 8: Village) are all on board. A revamped version of GTA V was also heavily leaned on during the initial PS5 reveal.
There are still over 130 games in the pipeline for PS5, and you can check the full list here.
What about VR games?
Sony has stayed very quiet on the VR front. As we've detailed elsewhere in this guide, PSVR is compatible with PS5, but only just. You have to use the PS4-era controllers and camera. And none of the PS5 launch games heralds virtual reality support, which is a shame given VR is a huge point of difference for the PS5.
It will be interesting to see if PSVR gets any benefits from the PS5's power, and how long Sony will wait to provide a long-overdue revamp of the peripheral.
Will the PS5 offer backwards compatibility?
The PS5 has been designed to play PS4 games. We're going through the process with the publishers and developers testing that rather exhaustive library of over 4,000 games. We're happy with the progress that's been made.”
Yes, the PS5 is backwards compatible for the PS4's titles. However, it will not be compatible with PS3, PS2 or PSOne games.
Unlike the PS4, the feature will be available at launch; however, not every PS4 game will be backwards compatible initially, with more titles drip-fed over time. Sony has declared it will focus first on the Top 100 PS4 games as ranked by playtime.
Ultimately, though, 99% of video games made for the PS4 will also work on the PlayStation 5. In fact, Sony has put an edict on developers that any game released after 12 July 2020 for the PS4 must work at launch on the PS5. Sony says that PS4 games running on PS5 will benefit from "a boosted frequency" and "higher or more stable frame rates and potentially higher resolutions". We go into this Game Boost feature in more detail elsewhere in this guide.
Remember that some developers are working on PS5-specific versions of their games. These are more than just backwards compatible; they are built for PS5. Examples include Fortnite, Cyberpunk 2077 and Dirt 5.
Does the PS5 have Game Pass?
In what could be a deciding factor for many gamers, Sony isn't offering a competing service to Microsoft's Game Pass. The subscription games-on-demand offering for Xbox is great value for money and makes next-gen gaming much more affordable. Sony isn't giving up completely, however.
The PlayStation Plus Collection is Sony's tactic to help gamers get playing with minimal cost. The Collection refers to the following 18 high-profile backwards compatible PS4 games that will be made available to PlayStation Plus subscribers ($79.95) for free at launch – you just need to download them:
Batman: Arkham Knight
Battlefield 1
Bloodborne
Days Gone
Detroit: Become Human
Fallout 4
Final Fantasy XV
God of War
inFAMOUS: Second Son
The Last Guardian
The Last of Us Remastered
Monster Hunter: World
Mortal Kombat X
Persona 5
Ratchet & Clank
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
Until Dawn
PlayStation 5 peripherals
New Pulse 3D headset revealed
DualSense charger is a boon
New HD camera is cute
Will support PlayStation VR headset, kind of
While there is still plenty more to learn, we have some information on some of the key peripherals that will accompany the PS5 into the market. All of them follow nicely in the wake of the core console's design, with sleek, white aesthetics. The fact that the PSVR headset released in 2016 also fits this design shows Sony has been thinking about it for a while.
The Pulse 3D headset ($159.95) will provide a solution for those hoping to enjoy the top-end 3D Audio the PS5 supports. Unless you have a 3D Audio-friendly home theatre set-up, this headset is a wise consideration as it offers quality at a reasonable price. It's wireless, too, but uses a USB dongle so be aware it will take up one of your USB slots.
The PlayStation 5 HD camera ($99.95) is a very neat looking piece of kit designed to clip onto the top of your TV. It's not mind-blowing, capping out at 1080p, but it does have dual wide-angle lenses and does feature background-removing software to make it easier for you to stream yourself talking over a game world. The new Create button on the DualSense controller will tie into that, as does the background-sound removal software that supports the mic.
You'd think the camera's most obvious use would be for VR gaming, but the new camera isn't actually compatible with PSVR.
Less exciting, but still welcomed, is the Media Remote ($49.95). Its most interesting feature is a microphone for voice control, similar to magic remotes from smart TV companies like LG. The remote also comes with built-in Netflix, YouTube, Spotify and Disney+ buttons. However, it's not required as you can use the DualSense as your remote if you don't mind its inelegance.
We're also happy to see a dedicated charging station ($49.95) that can hold two DualSense controllers at once. The lack of available USB ports for charging – especially after you connect VR and external HDs – was the bane of the PS4 era, and hopefully, this will be its solution.
Does PSVR work with PS5?
Yes, you can use your PSVR headset with your PlayStation 5 console, but there are caveats. You cannot use a PS5 controller with the PSVR headset as it doesn't have the required light bar. Therefore, you will need a DualShock 4 from the PS4 and/or the PlayStation Move controllers to use PSVR on PS5.
The new PS5 HD camera also does not work with the new PSVR headset, nor does the PS4 camera as it was originally sold. You will need to get an adaptor that converts your PS4 camera for use with a PS5. Thankfully, Sony is providing these for free, although the details on how you redeem your adaptor have not yet been revealed. Also, new PSVR bundles come with the adaptor included if you're thinking of picking up thebest console VR headset in Australia.
There has also been no word on whether PSVR games will receive any sort of upgrade when played on the more powerful machine. Power was the big limiter for PSVR on the PS4 and that should no longer be an issue. Hopefully, we will see some of the bigger PSVR games receive updates that allow them to capitalise on the PS5's added power with improved resolutions.
Indeed, it's unclear if any VR games will even be backwards compatible during the launch window. Sony has avoided mentioning the peripheral in its console launch plans, perhaps as an acknowledgement that, while compatible, the number of VR games could be light over the first six months or even longer. A recent quote from Sony's CEO suggested VR on PS5 won't come into its own until at least 2022.
I think we're more than a few minutes from the future of VR. PlayStation believes in VR. Sony believes in VR, and we definitely believe at some point in the future, VR will represent a meaningful component of interactive entertainment. Will it be this year? No. Will it be next year? No. But will it come at some stage? We believe that.”
What are the best games on PlayStation 5?
Well before the PlayStation 5 launched, we already knew about hundreds of games coming to the system. However, what are the best PS5 games? Below we've picked out the most likely top sellers on the next-generation console. Click on the title to open the details and see the trailer.
Sony's big launch game for the PlayStation 5 is a sequel to Marvel's Spider-Man. It's something of a surprise choice given it's not one of Sony's more entrenched, legacy brands. It's not necessarily a system seller, so to speak. However, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales will follow the most successful superhero game of all time. The original sold over 13 million units and is one of the most popular games of the generation.
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales is being developed by Insomniac Games again. It looks like it will keep the core gameplay and mix of blockbuster cinematics and action set-pieces. The story will follow on from The City That Never Sleeps DLC, where Miles Morales – another citizen of New York City – is bitten by a genetically-enhanced spider and gets his own superpowers.
Keen to follow in Peter Parker's footsteps, Miles looks to influence a gang war in Harlem as a high-tech army of criminals battle an energy corporation. There has been conjecture as to whether the game is a true sequel or more of an expansion. Insomniac has stated it's a standalone game, but more of a side story that's smaller in scale and scope than the original. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy has been used as a comparative title.
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales video trailer
One of the big success stories of the PS4 era was Horizon Zero Dawn and its heroine, Aloy. A sequel, Horizon Forbidden West has been announced for the PS5 and will be developed again by Guerrilla Games. However, it won't be out until 2021 at best.
The game's title refers to a "mysterious new frontier" that runs along the western edge of the USA, albeit a post-apocalyptic one. In fact, in the initial trailer, we can see what appear to be the Golden Gate Bridge and the Yosemite Valley as well as a landscape with a lot of verticality. It also continues the story of Aloy rather than switching to another character.
As well as a larger and more detailed world, we're also promised basically no load times in Horizon Forbidden West. The land will be filled with a host of new machines and human tribes, some of which have also mastered the ability to tame the robotic beasts. There will also be underwater play as well as jungle, beach and snow biomes at the very least.
Horizon Forbidden West video trailer
For every generation of PlayStation console, the Gran Turismo series has been front and centre. Taking the concept of a race simulation to levels unmatched anywhere else in gaming, it's always pushed the console's performance with stunning visuals and frenetic speeds. However, on the PS4, Gran Turismo Sport turned out to be a bit of a swing and a miss for Polyphony Digital.
As such, Sony has been quick to reveal that the PlayStation 5 will be blessed with Gran Turismo 7. However, with no release date and the developer being legendarily poor at getting games out in a timely fashion, who knows when we will be able to play Gran Turismo 7. We tend to think it will be 2022 at best.
From the initial reveal, Gran Turismo 7 will look to reinvigorate fans by merging the best features of Gran Turismo Sport with classics from yesteryear like Gran Turismo 4. This includes the return of popular modes and a greater variety of cars. Known modes include Special Events, Championships, Driving School, Tuning Parts Shop, Used Cars dealership, GT Auto, GT Sport Mode, Brand Central and Discover.
Gran Turismo 7 video trailer
Sony has always done a great job of providing attractive games for a broad range of demographics. It's pulled in both young gamers and the young-at-heart with the return of the fantastic 3D platformer, Ratchet & Clank. It's also by Insomniac Games so, given the studio has a Spider-Man game to focus on launch, we're unlikely to see this Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart until 2021 at best.
As its title suggests, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart sees our heroes using rifts to travel instantly between different planets. This includes familiar old planets and all new ones. This jump is possible thanks to a new gadget called the Rift Tether that fits like a glove. It's also how Ratchet gets his new move, a side-dash, allowing the pair to dodge quickly to the left or right in battle.
Utilising ray-tracing hardware, the initial gameplay footage looks stunning. It's vibrant and colourful. More details will emerge soon, including information about the female Lombax character that will be playable in the game. Does this mean Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will feature co-op play?
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart video trailer
Whenever we head towards a new generation of consoles, we must suffer through a number of disappointing game delays. Publishers often want their next big game coming to the new consoles rather than those that are being phased out. Such is the case with Ubisoft's long-coming Watch Dogs: Legion. However, in this case, the game delay is set to make the story all the more enticing.
Watch Dogs: Legion's story follows an underground resistance fighting back in a future where the British government's control of its people, aided by private security firm Albion, has become overly oppressive. It's a concept that feels suddenly very real to many gamers. Look what's happening in Hong Kong and elsewhere around the world in response to COVID-19.
The open-world action, futuristic gadgets, hacking and ability to recruit (read: take control) of any citizen could see this viewed as a futuristic GTA. But the game certainly has a style all its own and we're very happy by the inclusion of four-player co-op. Watch Dogs: Legion will arrive first on current-gen console on 29 October 2020 and then will follow on next-gen machines.
Watch Dogs: Legion video trailer
The next big entry in Ubisoft's Far Cry series is coming to the PlayStation 5 on 18 February 2021. Far Cry 6 is set on a huge, open-world island called Yara. Filled with tropical jungles, farmlands, cities and coastal towns, it's based on the Caribbean nation of Cuba. You play freedom fighter Dani Rojas, who is looking to topple the country's dictator and return the nation to its people. You can learn all about this game at our Far Cry 6 hub.
Far Cry 6 video trailer
Sony announces PSVR 2.0 headset
On 24 February 2021, Sony finally confirmed the rumours of a PSVR 2.0 headset. No image has been revealed, and Sony stopped short of offering a release date outside of saying it won't come in 2021. Many of the rumours were confirmed, however. The upcoming headset is said to offer:
A higher resolution
Wider field of view
New controllers with Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers
Only one cable connecting the device to the PS5 (no separate box).
With details so thin on the ground at the time of writing, we won't speculate further. However, Sony said in the announcement that as of January 2021 over five million PSVR headsets had been sold.
What is Suspended Gameplay and how is it helping climate change?
Sony has long been partnered with Playing for the Planet, an initiative charged with aligning video gaming with the goals of the UN Environment committee. As part of that, Sony has been working first on the PS4 and PS4 Pro, and now with the PS5, to implement hardware that can reduce power consumption.
We have made substantial commitments and efforts to reduce the power consumption of the PS4 by utilizing efficient technologies such as System-on-a-Chip architecture, integrating a high-performance graphics processor, die shrink, power scaling, as well as energy saving modes such as Suspend-to-RAM.”
For the PS4 generation, Sony claims its efforts have reduced carbon emissions by over 16 million metric tonnes.
For the PlayStation 5, Sony has revealed that its new Suspended Gameplay feature will make the console even less power-hungry than the PS4. The company has not detailed how this feature will work, but it would be fair to assume that when a game is paused, the console will not stay running at full operational power, but will instead micro-sleep in some way.
Sony has said that for every 1,000,000 players that implement this feature, the equivalent carbon emissions of 1,000 homes will be saved. Considering it will also save players money, it would seem like a no-brainer.
Sony buys stake in Fortnite and Unreal Engine creator, Epic Games
On 10 July 2020, just a handful of months before the launch of the PlayStation 5, Sony made a huge move to help bolster the fortunes of the PlayStation 5. The Japanese giant acquired a US$250 million (approximately AUD$360 million) stake in Epic Games.
Epic Games is arguably the biggest third-party entity in the video games industry. In part, that's due to the success of Fortnite and Rocket League, but also to IP like Gears of War (now owned by Microsoft), Unreal Tournament, Shadow Complex and Infinity Blade.
However, perhaps more important is the Unreal Engine middleware that is at the heart of thousands of video games. By holding a stake in Epic Games, Sony is ensuring that Unreal Engine 5 – revealed so spectacularly alongside the PlayStation 5 – will work more organically with the console. This could help not only first-party games but many third parties making titles for the PS5, too.
If that wasn't enough, the Epic Games Stores has also quickly become a major force in the PC retail space. Sony titles have been more frequently appearing on PC, giving the IP a greater market to connect with. Epic also has had success in the mobile market.
We can also see a future here where Sony can use Epic Games' strengths with cloud and server technology as well as its blockchain-driven marketplace to bring the PS5 up to speed with the XSX and perhaps to even create rival services to xCloud and Game Pass. This partnership could also see more Sony IP appear on PC and mobile platforms.
List of first-party PlayStation developers
Sony has always kept under its watch a large posse of first-party developers. By first party, we refer to developers who are owned by Sony, and who are charged with making video games specifically and exclusively (ignoring PC) for the PlayStation consoles. It's only since 2019 that Microsoft has made a concerted effort to catch-up in this regard, meaning that for decades the number of quality exclusives on PlayStation have seen it get a huge advantage in the market.
First-party developers tend to make the best games on a platform. This is because they have intimate access to the actual hardware maker, ensuring that their code can be perfectly optimised and that console-specific features are fully utilised.
Sony also tends to get a lot of other exclusive titles from second-party (developers making games subsidised by Sony) and third-party (independent studios), too. This is largely due to Japanese publishers (Capcom, Sega, Namco-Bandai and FromSoftware) having an affinity to the Japanese-based Sony. But also due to large brand awareness established with the PSOne and PS2, both of which dominated their generations with exclusive titles.
Here is a list of the 13 first-party PlayStation developers and the games they're known for:
Bend Studio (Days Gone, Syphon Filter)
Guerrilla Games (Horizon Zero Dawn, Killzone)
Insomniac Games (Marvel's Spider-Man, Ratchet & Clank, Resistance)
Japan Studio (Astro Bot, Everybody's Golf, Knack, The Last Guardian)
London Studio (SingStar, Blood & Truth, The Getaway, Wonderbook)
Media Molecule (LittleBigPlanet, Dreams, Tearaway)
Naughty Dog (Jak & Daxter, Uncharted, Last of Us)
Pixelopus (Entwined, Concrete Genie)
Polyphony Digital (Gran Turismo)
San Diego Studio (MLB: The Show, ModNation Racers)
San Mateo Studio (Farpoint, Helldivers, SOCOM)
Santa Monica Studio (God of War)
Sucker Punch Productions (Infamous, Sly Cooper, Ghost of Tsushima)
PlayStation Indies program coming to PS5
The PS4 had a very strong indie library, but in terms of Sony's continued support of up and coming developers, it wasn't as strong as the Xbox One. Short on its own first-party developers for most of the last generation, Microsoft put plenty of funding into the indie scene. The ID@Xbox program was the conduit through which many aspiring developers found the support they needed to get seen.
On 2 July 2020, Sony announced it would match the Xbox program with its own indie-focused initiative. It's called PlayStation Indies and will look to nurture, support and showcase indie games on the PS5. Nine games were revealed alongside the PlayStation Indies announcement.
Worms Rumble (PS5, PS4)
Haven (PS5, PS4)
Carto (PS4)
Recompile (PS5)
Where the Heart Is (PS4)
Maquette (PS5, PS4)
Heavenly Bodies (PS5, PS4)
Creaks (PS4)
F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch (PS4)
Our goal is to make PlayStation the best place to develop, find and play great indie games. I have been working closely with all departments at Sony Interactive Entertainment to elevate our efforts to help make indie developers' lives easier and their titles shine in this super competitive videogame market.”
PS5 FAQs answered
Yes, it does, but only on the premium PS5 model. While the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition has no optical drive, its fully-fledged bigger brother does. And unlike the PS4, the next-generation console will play 4K Blu-ray support.
Yes, they are. Although it differs with each game, the premium AAA titles will retail for $10 to $15 more in Australia than their PS4 counterparts. This is a common occurrence at the start of new console generations, albeit frustrating. Usually, prices come down as we go deeper into the generation.
Sony has kept the design of the PlayStation 5 game box art pretty similar to what we saw with the PS4 and with Blu-ray discs in general. The masthead, however, has changed from blue to white. This supports the white design choice in both the PS5 design and the DualSense controller. Here is a comparison of the PS5 vs PS4 box art.
Yes, it is 8K ready. While most gamers around the world are still upscaling their way to 4K, we are starting to see the emergence of 8K TVs. The customised AMD Ryzen chip and Radeon Navi GPU have the required power, but it remains to be seen if developers will look to make 8K games. The delivery size of such titles would be massive, and key developers – such as Gran Turismo's Polyphony Digital – have stated that they'd rather focus on frame rate, indicating 4K is good enough.
There has been no official announcement of a PS5 Pro console, and nor would we expect one this early in the life cycle. In recent generations, the arrival of a Pro edition of a PlayStation console has come deep into the life cycle, where advancements in technology have begun to make the original console feel its age.
We do expect a PS5 Pro at some point, which will likely be optimised for 8K gaming at a time such a resolution has become more commonplace in homes.
Yes, you can, but it's a bit restricted. If you want to capitalise on the power of the PS5 and, in particular, features like instant load times and quick resume, you can't just put in any old SSD. It needs to be an NVMe M.2 drive. Like the PS4, you can plug in USB external drives, but again, you will not get the benefits of having a game installed on the NVMe M.2 internal SSD.
Sony is expected to follow a similar strategy with PlayStation 5 console reviews as it has with previous generations. Journalists from major gaming sites, including Finder, will receive a PlayStation 5 premium edition console in the weeks before its public release. There will be an embargo we will be expected to adhere to before we can release any comments on the console. This will likely be in the week before launch.
Some features, such as online play, and some games, may not be in the initial PlayStation review. This is because they may require the console to be in the public domain before they can be robustly tested. If this is the case, it will be explicitly referenced in the review.
Early access to review units of technology and video games is common practice and does not indicate preferential treatment or premeditated partnerships with manufacturers.
For all your PlayStation needs
Get ready for the PS5 by stocking up on all your PlayStation essentials from these retailers.
Get up to 80% off NBA 2K23, Dead Space, The Last Of Us, Hogwarts Legacy, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and more at Amazon. Hurry, while stocks last. T&Cs apply.
Get the PlayStation 5 console bundled with the critically acclaimed video game Horizon: Forbidden West for $1,099.99 at Amazon this Black Friday. Offer available now. (T&Cs apply.)
Chris Stead was the innovations editor at Finder. He is a gaming, tech and sports journalist with more than 24 years of writing and editing experience. Chris has a Bachelor of Advanced Science in Biology from the University of Sydney. A father of three, Chris has a passion for travel, photography and surfing.
Microsoft has announced a price and prerelease date for the developer edition of its Hololens augmented reality device.
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![Where to buy the PlayStation 5 in Australia: From $649 [Updated]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSI5IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjUiIHN0eWxlPSJiYWNrZ3JvdW5kLWNvbG9yOiAjRjVGNkY3OyIvPg==)
