All about the Playstation 5

The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is the latest and most powerful instalment in Sony’s PlayStation line of home video game consoles. PlayStation has been one of the most iconic brands in gaming ever since the release of the original PlayStation console in 1994.

The original PlayStation introduced 3D graphics to console gaming and cemented Sony’s position as a major player in the video game industry alongside Nintendo and Sega. This success was followed by the PlayStation 2, which went on to become the best-selling home console of all time.

After the PS3 struggled against the Xbox 360 early in that console generation, Sony came roaring back with the PlayStation 4, which has sold over 117 million units worldwide as of January 2022.

Now in 2020, Sony seeks to continue their momentum with the PlayStation 5. The PS5 features cutting edge specs including an AMD Zen 2 CPU, a custom RDNA 2 GPU that outputs 10.28 TFLOPs of power, 16GB of GDDR6 memory, and a custom 825GB SSD that enables lightning fast load times.

Some of the other next-gen capabilities provided by the PS5 include ray tracing support for enhanced lighting effects, 3D spatial audio, 4K gaming at up to 120fps, and backwards compatibility with most PS4 games.

With powerful performance allowing for more immersive and visually stunning gaming experiences, the PS5 aims to usher in a new generation and solidify PlayStation’s standing as the premier console platform.

Design

The PlayStation 5 features a bold, futuristic design that departs drastically from previous PlayStation consoles. Sony wanted to create something that looked impressive and high-tech, fitting for their next-generation console.

The overall shape is curved and flowing, with the “wings” on each side intended to represent the letter “V” in PlayStation 5. The PS5 has a primarily white color scheme accented by black elements and blue light accents. The white plates can be removed and customized with different color plates sold separately.

In terms of dimensions, the PS5 Digital Edition measures approx. 39 x 8.6 x 26 cm (15.35 x 3.41 x 10.24 inches) and weighs 3.9 kg (8.6 lbs). The standard PS5 with Blu-Ray drive measures approx. 39 x 10.4 x 26 cm (15.35 x 4.09 x 10.24 inches) and is heavier at 4.5 kg (9.9 lbs).

The PS5 is fairly large, eclipsing even the chunky PS3. The considerable size and weight makes sense given the advanced cooling system and powerful internal hardware. Some gamers appreciate the imposing, high-tech look while others wish for a more subtle console. Either way, it’s hard not to notice the PlayStation 5’s bold styling in any gaming setup.

Hardware Specs

The PlayStation 5 contains a custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU running at 3.5GHz. This offers a significant boost in processing power over the PS4’s 8-core 1.6GHz AMD Jaguar CPU.

For graphics, the PS5 utilizes a custom AMD Radeon RDNA 2 GPU capable of 10.28 teraflops and 36 compute units clocked at 2.23GHz. This allows the PS5 to target 4K resolution at 60fps or up to 120fps for supported titles. The GPU also enables ray tracing, allowing for incredibly realistic lighting effects in games.

The PS5 comes with 16GB of GDDR6 memory with a bandwidth of 448GB/s. This high-speed memory reduces load times dramatically compared to the PS4.

For storage, the PS5 contains a custom 825GB SSD. The ultra-fast SSD drastically decreases loading times, with near instant fast travel in games. The NVMe SSD has 5.5GB/s raw bandwidth.

For disc drives, the PS5 Digital Edition contains no disc drive, being an all-digital console. The standard PS5 contains a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive for physical games and movies.

The powerful hardware in the PS5 allows it to target 4K visuals, high framerates, ray tracing effects, and almost non-existent load times. The custom SSD and updated CPU/GPU represent a major leap over PS4 hardware.

Controller

The PlayStation 5 comes with the new DualSense wireless controller, which introduces several innovations and enhancements over previous PlayStation controllers.

One major new feature is advanced haptic feedback and adaptive triggers enabled through the inclusion of voice coil actuators that allow for greater control and dynamic resistance levels. The haptics system provides highly refined sensations that can simulate textures, surfaces, actions and more. For example, you can feel the sensation of pulling back a bow string or driving through mud. This creates a much deeper sense of immersion.

The adaptive triggers also incorporate variable resistance levels, so developers can program the force needed to depress the triggers to align with in-game actions. This allows the triggers to better simulate actions like drawing a bow or accelerating in a vehicle. Some games only use the resistance feature for certain weapons or actions rather than implementing it across all trigger usage.

The DualSense controller also incorporates a built-in microphone, motion controls and improved rumble compared to previous controllers. The integrated microphone enables voice chat without needing a headset. Overall, the advanced haptics and adaptive triggers take game immersion to a new level and showcase the innovative capabilities of the PS5 controller.

User Interface

The PlayStation 5 user interface represents a major evolution from previous PlayStation consoles. The new UI is focused on simplicity and providing quick access to games and media.

The home screen features a control center along the bottom which shows current downloads, notifications, and friends online. The main section displays game shortcuts, recently played titles, and recommendations based on your usage. Sony integrated deep learning algorithms to study player habits and curate a customized space.

The dashboard allows managing your game library, checking notifications, changing settings, viewing your profile and trophies, and shopping on the PlayStation Store. The Explore tab highlights news, games, and entertainment to discover.

Media options are also front and center. There are dedicated hubs for TV, movies, music, and streaming services. The PS5 can play 4K Blu-ray discs and supports major formats like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, and more.

Sony redesigned the system software with speed in mind. Activities make it possible to view/resume specific game levels or challenges without loading the full game. The new user experience takes advantage of the PS5’s ultra high speed SSD and cutting edge graphics to deliver next-generation convenience.

Backwards Compatibility

The PlayStation 5 is backwards compatible with most PlayStation 4 games. This allows PS5 owners to play their favorite PS4 games on the new console without having to keep their old hardware.

Sony implemented backwards compatibility through a Boost Mode which allows PS4 games to take advantage of the PS5’s faster CPU, GPU, and SSD. This can result in faster load times, improved frame rates, and higher resolutions in supported PS4 games when played on PS5.

In addition to PS4 backwards compatibility, Sony provides access to older PlayStation games through PlayStation Now and the PlayStation Store. PlayStation Now is a cloud streaming service that gives subscribers access to a library of classic PS2 and PS3 games to play on PS5 and other PlayStation consoles. The PlayStation Store also offers digital purchases of iconic PS1, PS2, and PSP games that can be downloaded and played natively on PS5.

While not all PS4 games are guaranteed to work on PS5, and classic PlayStation games require additional purchases or subscriptions, the PS5 still provides good backwards compatibility compared to past console generations. This allows PlayStation fans to easily access and replay many of their favorite games from the past 26 years on their shiny new PS5.

Launch Games

The PlayStation 5 launched with a diverse lineup of games to showcase the capabilities of the new console. Sony aimed to have a strong variety of exclusives, multiplatform titles, and VR games available at launch. Some of the most notable PS5 launch titles included:

Key Exclusives

• Demon’s Souls – A remake of the classic and brutally difficult RPG by Bluepoint Games. It features completely rebuilt visuals while staying true to the original gameplay.
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales – A standalone follow-up to the popular PS4 exclusive Spider-Man game, this time focusing on Miles Morales as the hero.
• Sackboy: A Big Adventure – A new 3D platformer starring Sackboy from the LittleBigPlanet series. It can be played cooperatively with up to 4 players.
• Astro’s Playroom – A 3D platformer that comes pre-installed on PS5 and serves as an introduction to the new DualSense controller.

Major Multiplatform Games

• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – The latest entry in the open world action/stealth franchise set during the Viking invasion of England.
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War – The 2020 Call of Duty game developed by Treyarch that returns to the Black Ops series.
• NBA 2K21 – The latest annual sports title in the NBA 2K basketball sim series.
• Watch Dogs Legion – The new game in Ubisoft’s hacking focused open world franchise set in a futuristic London.

So in summary, the PS5 had a robust launch lineup spanning Sony’s acclaimed exclusives, highly anticipated multiplatform titles, next-gen updates to existing games, and PS5 enhanced VR games. This provided a strong variety of launch titles to highlight the new capabilities of the console.

Pricing and Models

The PlayStation 5 is available in two models – a standard edition with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive, and a Digital Edition without a disc drive.

The standard PlayStation 5 with disc drive retails for $499.99, while the all-digital PlayStation 5 retails for $399.99. This is a $100 price difference between the two models.

Alongside the release of the consoles, Sony offered several additional bundles and special editions. These include:

• PlayStation 5 Bundle – Includes extra DualSense wireless controller and media remote. Sold by retailers for $559.99.
• PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Bundle – Includes extra DualSense wireless controller and media remote. Sold by retailers for $459.99.
• Godfall PlayStation 5 Launch Day Bundle – Includes Godfall game voucher and DualSense controller. Sold exclusively through GameStop for $749.94.
• Demon’s Souls PlayStation 5 Bundle – Includes Demon’s Souls game and DualSense controller. Sold through various retailers for $569.96.
• Sackboy: A Big Adventure PlayStation 5 Bundle – Includes Sackboy game and DualSense controller. Sold through various retailers for $559.99.

There were also limited edition themed consoles available, like the Spider-Man: Miles Morales and God of War Ragnarök editions, which included custom aesthetic designs on the console and controller. These special editions retailed for the same $499.99 and $399.99 as the base models.

Overall, the PlayStation 5 launched at price points comparable to past PlayStation console releases, with the standard edition and Digital Edition providing two pricing options for consumers. The special bundles added value for those looking to get additional controllers or launch games with their new systems.

Reception

The PlayStation 5 received very positive reviews upon launch from both critics and gamers.

Reviewers praised the PS5 for its incredibly fast load times thanks to the solid state drive, as well as the new haptic feedback and adaptive triggers on the DualSense controller which enhanced immersion. Many also commented on the sleek yet bold futuristic design of the console.

In terms of critical reception, it currently holds a score of 90 on Metacritic based on 65 critic reviews, making it one of Sony’s highest rated consoles. Critics highlighted the powerful hardware, near silent operation, innovative controller and enjoyable launch titles like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls.

Gamers seem very satisfied with their PS5 purchases so far, with many loving the new user interface, visually impressive games and lightning fast loading. Backwards compatibility with an extensive PS4 game library has also been appreciated. Some minor complaints involve the size of the console, limited storage space and lack of VRR support currently.

As for sales, Sony has not officially released exact figures but estimates put PS5 sales at around 13.4 million units sold as of January 2022. This makes it the fastest selling console in US history according to NPD data. Stock shortages amid high demand have impacted availability. The PS5 is projected to match or exceed the immense success of the PS4 which has sold over 117 million units to date.

The Future

The PlayStation 5 is still in the early days of its lifecycle, so there is much more still to come for Sony’s next-gen console. Looking ahead, there are some key things PS5 fans can anticipate.

Upcoming Games

While the PS5 launched with some big titles like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon’s Souls, there are plenty more exclusive games in development. Highly anticipated titles coming soon include Horizon Forbidden West, Gran Turismo 7, God of War Ragnarök, Final Fantasy XVI, and a new Ratchet & Clank game. Beyond exclusives, most major third-party games will also launch on PS5. So the future is bright for PS5 games.

Accessories

Sony will likely release updated versions of accessories like the DualSense controller and Pulse 3D headset. There may also be new accessories unveiled, like VR peripherals, an updated PlayStation camera, or media remotes. Accessories help expand what you can do with the console.

Potential PS5 Pro Model

As with previous PlayStation generations, Sony will probably release a mid-cycle upgraded model. This hypothetical “PS5 Pro” would offer technical improvements like 4K gaming at higher frame rates. Based on past consoles, a PS5 Pro could arrive around 3 years into the PS5 life cycle. But nothing has been confirmed yet.

The PS5 has an exciting future ahead. With cutting-edge graphics and fast loading, upcoming PS5 games will continue showcasing the new console’s impressive capabilities. And possible accessories and hardware refreshes would only expand functionality down the road. The next few years will take full advantage of everything the PlayStation 5 has to offer.