Introduction

The fall season is almost upon us and that means the new console generation is right around the corner. With the PS5 slated for a late 2020 release, a ton of information has been revealed so far. In this buyer’s guide, we’ve got all the details you need to know if you’re planning on picking up the next Sony console.

Tech Specs

The PS5 has been shown to have a lot of powerful tech under the hood. While most console gamers aren’t that fussed about teraflops and ultra high-def resolutions, it’s worth noting some of the key specs that make the PS5 an absolute beast.

• Custom High-Speed SSD - One of the first tech parts of the PS5 to be revealed, this ultra-fast SSD is what many developers have been calling a “game-changer”. This nifty component is capable of incredibly fast - almost non-existent - loading times. In fact, it’s capable of loading entire levels with all their denizens instantaneously. We caught a glimpse of these crazy loading speeds during the big PlayStation 5 reveal event with Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.
• 3D Audio - Sony has revealed another proprietary piece of tech. Called the Tempest Engine, this tech makes the PS5 capable of processing thousands of sounds at once. This enables audio environments that are far more immersive than what we’re experiencing in current gen consoles.
• Hardware-level Ray Tracing - The PlayStation 5 event had plenty of titles that showed off incredible lighting effects. Naturally-looking reflections and shadows were a big focal point of their game worlds, all powered by the PS5’s ray tracing tech. Gran Turismo 7 stood out the most with cars that were looking more realistic than ever.
• Resolutions & Frame Rates - In terms of max performance, the PlayStation 5 is capable of generating images at up to 8K resolution. The upcoming console is also able to achieve a staggeringly smooth 120 frames per second. While these numbers depict the max potential of the PS5 as separate values, they are impressive, to say the least.

PS5 Games

In terms of hot new game titles coming to Sony’s next gaming baby, there’s a healthy mix of stunning AAA games, first-party exclusives and inspired indie titles. Here are some of the most noteworthy games coming to PS5 with release dates ranging between holiday 2020 and mid-2021.

• Gran Turismo 7
• Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
• Godfall
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
• Horizon Forbidden West
• Project Athia
• Demon’s Souls Remake
• Deathloop
• Ghostwire: Tokyo
• Astro’s Playroom
• Bugsnax
• Returnal
• Sackboy: A Big Adventure
• Stray

PS4 Games Getting Free PS5 Upgrades

Some of the most exciting news recently have been developers announcing free PS5 upgrades for games bought on PS4. This is amazing for PlayStation 4 owners who’ve been hesitant about picking up titles coming out later this year with next-gen around the corner. Here are all the PS4 games confirmed to be getting PlayStation 5 free upgrades.

• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
• Control: Ultimate Edition (no upgrade for the base game)
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Dead by Daylight
• Destiny 2
• DIRT 5
• Doom Eternal
• Far Cry 6
• FIFA 21
• Hitman 3
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits
• Madden 21
• Marvel’s Avengers
• NBA 2K21
• The Elder Scrolls Online
• Watch Dogs Legion
• WRC 9

How this upgrade system work will depend on how each developer wants to handle it. Digital copies of PS4 games will be upgraded almost instantaneously via PSN. With discs, you’ll likely have to hold onto your copy and download the PS5 version.

Backwards Compatibility

There’s been a bit of confusion surrounding the PS5’s backwards compatibility situation. The console itself is being touted to have BC capability. Here are the details that we know so far.

• Backwards Compatibility with PS4 - The PlayStation 5 will be backwards compatible with 1000s of PS4 games from launch. Sony has confirmed that PS4 games will be fully playable on PS5 without any tinkering necessary. This goes for both digitally purchased games and discs.
• Boost Mode - While, in Sony’s words, the “overwhelming majority of PS4 games” will be playable on PS5, there are some games that will be getting an extra oomph by being played on the next-gen console. This will be done via a special Boost Mode. While not available for all games, it’s said to apply to over 100 titles currently on PS4. We expect this will include most PS4 exclusives and first-party games.
• PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP and Vita BC - At the moment, it’s not seeming likely that the PS5 will be backwards compatible with games from consoles that came before the PlayStation 4. The majority of remasters and rereleases on PS4 will be playable on PlayStation 5. However, you won’t be able to use your old-school discs or play digital versions purchased for past consoles on PS5.

DualSense, The PS5 Controller

The next generation of the now-iconic PlayStation controller will be called the DualSense. With a new name comes a whole host of new and immersive features to complement the PS5’s awesome capabilities. Here’s what we know so far about the DualSense controller.

• Haptic Feedback - Like rumble but way better. This tech produces tactile feedback that is more precise, giving you more accurately defined sensations you experience in the game world.
• Adaptive Triggers - This is going to be a fun one. The two triggers on the PS5’s DualSense can dynamically change their resistances depending on what’s happening or what you’re doing in the game. A developer recently stated that your trigger will get blocked every time your weapon gets jammed.
• Microphone Array - The DualSense will have a built-in microphone array that will make it so you don’t need a headset to play with others. The PS5’s controller will still have a headset jack if you prefer but it’s no longer a necessity.
• Create Button - Replacing the DualShock 4’s Share Button on the DualSense, the Create Button is being touted to “pioneer how players share their gaming experiences with others”. We still don’t know what the entails exactly but we’re hoping for better editing features for clips and screenshots.

PS5 Services and Accessories

The PS5 so far has been revealed to be fully compatible with services like PS Plus and PlayStation Now. We don’t know if PS+ will be getting any PlayStation 5 games added to its mix of Free Monthly Games. We’re quite certain that the bonus deals, discounts and other content will be getting some PS5 love for sure. 

As for accessories, the PS5 reveal event showed off several cool accessories that match the console’s aesthetics.

• HD Camera
• PS5 Remote
• DualSense Charging Station
• Pulse 3D Wireless Headset

PS5 Release Date

As of this writing, there is no confirmed concrete release date for the PS5. Sony has been standing firm on a “holiday 2020” release window. Any interviews and State of Play videos haven’t changed this statement so far. There’s been some speculation that the hot upcoming next-gen Sony console will be seeing a November 2020 release but that’s all hearsay. We’ll be updating this post accordingly should new information come to light.

PS5 Pre-Orders

Without a solid PS5 release date, it stands to reason that pre-ordering has yet to begin. Recently, Sony have opened a page where you can sign up with your PSN ID for a chance to get invited to pre-order their next-gen console. This came along with an announcement that the PS5 will see a limited supply launch. We don’t know what criteria Sony will be using to determine who gets invited to pre-order their upcoming console.