Sony’s PlayStation 5 is officially here!

Thousands of gamers across the globe will soon have their hands on Sony’s slick new machine. Not only is the PlayStation 5 dropping, but so is Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (perhaps the best launch title for any console of all time, in my opinion). Be sure to read my review for Spider-Man: Miles Morales for the PS5 here.

After playing the PlayStation 5 for about a week, I can confidently say it is the epitome of a ‘next-generation console’. The PS5’s software coupled with its powerful hardware not only make it a worthy follow-up to the PlayStation 4, but pushes gaming to the next level by providing incredible speeds, stunning graphics, exciting games and a revolutionary controller. 

The Console

The Playstation 5 is definitely the biggest of the modern home gaming consoles. The packaging lists 8K capabilities, 4K 120 FPS (Frames Per Second) and High Dynamic Range (HDR) support. Although its design is drastically different from the previous consoles, it is far from a boring box with its unique shape.

As you might expect, the front of the console features USB ports – a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A and a Type-C port with clearly marked power and eject buttons. On the backside, there is an HDMI 2.1 output, two additional Type-A  USB ports, an ethernet jack and the power port. Also included in the box is an easily adjusted stand that holds the PS5 vertically or horizontally. Be sure to check out my unboxing here.

DualSense Controller 

The reason the Playstation 5 feels like a leap into the next generation is its new controller. The DualSense is as good as or better than advertised. Similar to the console, the DualSense controller looks drastically different in comparison to its predecessors. PlayStation is betting big on immersion, but to be clear the DualSense is easily the best controller Sony has ever created.

To give an example, without having it in front of you, the DualSense controller is virtual reality for your hands. It is bigger than the DualShock 4 (especially in the grip area) which makes the controller more comfortable to hold. There is no text on the controller itself giving it a smoother look and the ‘share’ button has been replaced with the new ‘create’ button which acts in a similar role, but provides new and improved functionalities. The ‘create’ button allows for screen capturing, as well as video capturing of recent activities or activating manual recordings. From the adaptive triggers to the haptic feedback to the 3D Audio, the DualSense controller is the future.

User Interface 

The PlayStation 5 UI is beautiful with a simple aesthetic that matches the overall tone and feel of the console. The layout is understated but works perfectly to make sure the user experience (outside of games) is more pleasurable. With their simple layout, Sony made sure to highlight separate sections for other media and entertainment such as streaming services. Each game on the dashboard has its own mini-theme that adds to the overall excitement before you’re about to launch.  

Launch Games 

Astro’s Playroom: Astro’s Playroom is PS5’s Wii Sports. It is a follow-up to the critically acclaimed PlayStation VR game Astro Bot Rescue Mission. In the game, you explore four different playrooms that show off the capabilities of the PlayStation 5 DualSense Controller. 

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales: Although Spider-Man: Miles Morales isn’t necessarily a next-gen exclusive (check out our PS4 review), it does a fantastic job of showing off how powerful the Playstation 5 is – especially when playing on a 4K monitor or television. Miles’s adventure on PS5 has a noticeable boost to load times and start-up that takes advantage of the ultra-high-speed SSD. From its ray-tracing to the stylish swings, to its graphics and motion, Insomniac Games has created a must-play launch title. Seeing this new hero fling across the city is breathtaking. 

Ghost of Tsushima: The optimized version of Ghost of Tsushima takes full advantage of the PS5 controller by displaying a surprising “pitter-patter” type of vibrations when the samurai lands on his feet compared to the PS4 controller that is more of a rumble for the same action. Ghost of Tsushima was already visually stunning on the PS4, however, it reaches new heights on the PlayStation 5.

Verdict 

We could not recommend a system more! With a superb line-up of launch games, a slew of incredible game exclusives coming (Final Fantasy XVI, God of War: Ragnarok, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Horizon: Forbidden West), a sleek design and a game-changing controller, the PlayStation 5 brings us next generation now.

The PlayStation 5 launches on November 12th (in the United States, Japan, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, and South Korea). Unfortunately, the rest of the world will not be able to get their hands on Sony’s next console until November 19th.