X Tutup
TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open
Tropes Media Reviews Popular Indexes Forums Videos Ask The Tropers Trope Finder Media Finder Trope Launch Pad Tech Wishlist Browse Tools
Cut List Image Fixer New Edits New Articles Edit Reasons Launches Images List Crowner Activity Un-typed Pages Recent Page Type Changes Changelog
Tips
Creating New Redirects Cross Wicking Tips for Editing Text Formatting Rules Glossary Edit Reasons Handling Spoilers Word Cruft Administrivia FAQ
Tropes HQ
About Us Contact Us DMCA Notice Privacy Policy Report Bug Terms Of Service
Go Ad-Free Changelog
  • Show Spoilers
  • Night Vision
  • Sticky Header
  • Highlight Links

Follow TV Tropes

PlayStation 5
11 Following

Go To

Platform / PlayStation 5

Play Has No Limits.

The PlayStation 5 is Sony's entry into The Ninth Generation of Console Video Games. It was released on November 12th, 2020 in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea; it was released November 19th everywhere else.

On top of improved CPU, GPU and memory compared to the PlayStation 4, the system introduces a new NVMe solid state drive and PCIe lane solution that provides streaming of data of up to 5.5GB/s raw and on average 9GB/s compressed. In layman's terms, this means developers can easily sidestep the Loads and Loads of Loading that had been a constant bane of many console games ever since the switch to disc-based media in the mid-90s.

In addition, the system's hardware allows for a theoretical max resolution of 8K, though few games actually render in this resolution due to it being too taxing on the hardware in a practical scenario. Indeed, the advertising for this feature on the console's boxes was quietly removed to downplay the idea. Most games opt for 4K instead, or sometimes 1440p upscaled to 4K. It appears that the machine-learning upscaling of the Pro upgrade will truly unlock 8K resolutions for the first time for the PS5 line. It, along with the Xbox Series X, is also one of the first video game consoles to support ray-tracing. HDR support is carried over from the PS4 Pro.

In response to criticisms that the PlayStation 4 previously received for its lack of backwards compatibility, the PS5 supports software level PS4 emulation as well, allowing the system to run almost the entirety of the PS4 library.note  By extension, the system is also able to run the PS4's emulators for the original PlayStation and the PlayStation 2, though it is only able to play the digital versions of PS1 and PS2 games released on the PlayStation Store. Many PS4 games receive slight upgrades in certain areas when played on PS5 due to the console's stronger hardware (i.e. faster load times, more stable framerates), with the possibility to receive more dramatic improvements via dedicated "next gen" patches. However, the PS5 still retains its predecessor's lack of physical multimedia support, an aftereffect of physical media sales in general being much lower in 2020 compared to ten years prior.

The PS5 further introduces a new DualSense controller, which significantly redesigns the form factor compared to previous PlayStation controllers. It most notably includes enhanced haptic feedback, which allows for improved immersion compared to previous controllers. The controller also includes a microphone, better battery life and built-in speakers compared to the DualShock 4, and USB-C connectivity. A pro-orientated version of the DualSense, the DualSense Edge, was released on January 26, 2023, adding two remappable back buttons, two function buttons, 3-step trigger stops and replaceable thumbstick modules. It includes a dedicated carrying case.

The system's early life was plagued by shortages. While not entirely unheard of in the console market — the Wii and PlayStation 2 famously had similar issues — the problem was exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The pandemic created extremely high demand and low stock due to supply chain issues and a semiconductor shortage, and scalpers took advantage of the situation to buy up what little stock was available. Getting a PS5 early on in its life without going through a scalper and murdering your wallet was extremely difficult. Sony tried to alleviate this by creating a program where PlayStation account holders are randomly invited to purchase a console from Sony's online storefront, but even that didn't guarantee a console since they would send out more invites than how many systems they had in stock (and in some cases, these invites went to people who already owned a PS5). While it managed to become the fastest-selling console in U.S. history despite these shortages — 10 million units sold in 8 months and it broke the record set by the PS4 — it would end up falling behind the PS4's sales trends due to the inability to manufacture enough units. Sony was forced to lower their projections as a result. The PS5 remains extremely rare in many countries as of 2022, with rumors abound that Sony has cut off supply to regions it sees as less lucrative (i.e. countries with less buying power) in order to keep the limited supply flowing to important markets like North America. And even in some high-priority markets like Japan, the console still had to be purchased through a lottery.

The shortages forced Sony to support cross-gen game releases despite claiming they would quickly move on from the PS4 after the PS5's launch. While first-party PlayStation 3 games had been quickly abandoned after the immediate success of the PS4, PS4 versions of PS5 games from Sony's own developers would continue to be released over 2 years into the PS5's life. Some third-party devs would even release PS4 games without bothering to make PS5 versions. This is due to the combination of the PS5's backwards compatibility with its predecessor, the prevalence of the widely successfully PS4, the existence of the PS4 Pro, which shares some hardware features — like 4K and HDR — with the PS5note , and the fact that there is a supply shortage of PS5 consoles.

In November 2023, Sony released the PS5 Slim. This model, in keeping with revisions of previous hardware generations, was smaller than the original and had additional USB ports note . It also distinguishes itself by boosting the internal storage capacity to 1TB and featuring a detachable disk drive for the physical version. The digital version can also be upgraded by the purchase of a separate disk drive unit, exactly matching the form and function of the physical version.

On February 22, 2023, Sony released the Playstation VR2 (PSVR2) as an add-on to the console. It upgraded its predecessor's lens displays to 4K clarity and also streamlined its hardware interface, now only requiring one USB-C cable to be attached to the PS5 as opposed to the complicated array of cabling, a breakout box and a camera which the PSVR necessitated. The VR controllers were also upgraded, with the Sense controllers being more like those used by competitors than the somewhat primitive Move controllers note  which lacked analogue sticks and sophisticated finger tracking. There is the option of buying the headset with a download code for Sony's showcase game, Horizon: Call of the Mountain note  included. Because of the deviation in terms of control mechanisms, the VR2 is not backwards compatible with software for the original VR. The PS5 is compatible with the PlayStation 4's VR software but to use it requires the entire PS VR system be connected to the console (and the camera must be attached via a converter that changes the PS4's proprietary camera interface into a standard USB-A interface).

On November 15th, 2023, Sony introduced the PlayStation Portal accessory. As discretely implied by its name, it is not an independent handheld console but rather a client device designed to stream the user's PS5 content remotely, for situations where the TV is already occupied or they are not at home. This is absolutely upheld by the device's locked-down nature, such that no games or any software beyond official firmware can be installed on it as default. Visually, it looks like a Dual Sense controller attached to either side of an 8-inch 1080p touchscreen. Reviewers have noted that a high quality internet router is required for good streaming quality (unlike the PS4 and Vita, the PS5 and Portal can't be directly connected via WiFi, a router is required as an intermediary) and otherwise the experience can feel compromised. In November, 2024, Sony began to roll out the ability for the Portal to stream content from their cloud gaming servers, making it, along with budget PCs, an inexpensive ($199.99 MSRP) way to enjoy Playstation Plus Premium games from across Sony's history with no PS5 actually required to be owned. Note that, like with the Vita before it, media content such as Netflix, Prime Video, Spotify (or even Blu-Rays which the user owns) is not streamable due to HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection).

Sony finally confirmed one of gaming's worst kept secrets, the PS5 Pro, on September 10th, 2024. Even compared to the earlier PS4 Pro upgrade, this new and improved model represents a significant enhancement in terms of performance and visual fidelity, not least due to using AI-upscaled resolution. Ray tracing will also see significant gains. Mark Cerny, the lead architect of the PS5 family of consoles, stated in the video announcing the Pro version that a major goal was to not ask gamers to choose between settings targeting either frame-per-second performance or graphical quality (as with the earlier models), but rather to see the best of both worlds as much as possiblenote . Thus, the Pro mode it introduces will combine 60fps performance and 4K visuals. However, the console comes at a steep entry price ($699.99USD/£699.99/€799.99/¥119,980, all values including tax apart from in USD) and does require the detachable disc drive released alongside the Slim model for gamers who prefer physical game purchases over digital ones, representing an additional cost of entry. This model was released on November 7th, 2024, with pre-orders opening on September 26th, 2024. Externally, it distinguishes itself from other models by having three ridged lines/vents across the body of the faceplates instead of a single onenote , and is similar in dimensions to the original model (but will be larger if the disc unit is attached). To the relief of gamers everywhere, the Pro has not seen anything like the supply and scalping issues seen with earlier versions of the hardware, and scalpers have actually been forced to liquidate their stock at a loss. However, this is unfortunately not the case with the disc drive unit, which is seeing a new scalping push as players are forced to purchase it to play their physical games and watch UHD movies. And good luck for anyone who hopes to obtain the very note  limited edition 30th Anniversary Pros, Slims, Portals, Dual Sense and Dual Sense Edge controllers, styled after the original PlayStation.

Technical Specifications

    open/close all folders 

    PlayStation 5 system 
Processors
  • CPU: AMD Zen 2-based CPU with 8 cores running at a variable frequency up to 3.5GHz
    • The PlayStation 5 Pro model uses the same processor but sees a moderate increase in speed in the High CPU Frequency Mode, up to 3.8GHz
  • GPU: RDNA 2 based GPU with 36 CUs at a variable frequency up to 2.23GHz, for a performance up to 10.28 TFLOPs
    • The Pro includes 60 CUs. Allegedly it's RDNA 3 based with some RDNA 4 features, allowing for up to 45% faster rendering compared to earlier models
    • The Pro is also said to feature a custom "AI Accelerator" to power the console's machine-learning based upscaling solution, a proprietary system known as PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), akin to Nvidia's DLSS. This unit will allow 300 TOPS of 8 bit computation or 67 TFLOPS of 16 bit floating point calculations. As the PS4 Pro introduced "checkerboard" rendering boosts via software, this is a similar goal but this time using a hardware approach, providing the most ambitious upscaling technology seen in any console to date.
    • The original models see 18 Work Group Processors running BVH4 traversal shaders, but the Pro boosts this to 30WGPs and leveraging BHV8 traversal shaders. In more plain language, these clusters of GPU cores help determine in ray tracing how the rays interact with objects in a scene efficiently, and the BHV8 shaders will permit larger clusters of objects to be grouped at a time and also more quickly.
  • AMD SmartShift technology allows the console to balance its power budget between the CPU and GPU.

Memory/Storage

  • 16GB of GDDR6 RAM running at 14 GHz with a total bandwidth of 448 GB/s . The Pro model bumps this up to 576 GB/s, a 28% increase in speed
  • 825GB NVMe based SSD with a raw throughput of 5.5 GB/s, though a custom decompression chip can raise the effective read throughput to about 9 GB/s on average. The slim models increase the total capacity of the internal SSD to 1TB. The Pro model includes a 2TB SSD.
    • This SSD can be augmented with an off-the-shelf PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, as long as it meets Sony's specifications, which require that the SSD physically fits inside the console, has a heatsink, and supports the fast read/write speeds needed by the system. As of firmware version 8.00, the maximum capacity of the NVMe SSD that the PS5 can support has been increased from 4 TB to 8 TB.
  • USB storage device support for PS4 games
  • 4K UHD Blu-ray drive on the standard edition, but not present on the Digital Edition.
    • Compatible with both PlayStation 5 format UHD BD-ROM discs and PlayStation 4 format BD-ROM discs. The drive can also play movies from these formats as well in addition to DVDs. Like the PS4, there is no support for CDs.
    • The slim and Pro models require the one-time DRM internet connection to pair the removable disc drive (included or separate). This is due to the DMCA's 17 U.S. Code § 1201 law which makes console manufacturers illegal to "circumvent a technological measure that controls access to a copyrighted work", and Sony are forced to pay the royalty fee per activation as the disc drive also treated as a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player. In other words, it must be an authentic model and not third-party drives such as USB disc drives.

Graphics

  • Max resolution is 7680x4320 (8K), though most games render in 4K or 1440p upscaled to 4K instead. The Pro is much more capable in targeting an 8K resolution at around 60fps, due to the PSSR upscaling technology it introduces. This feature has been confirmed to be compatible with all games, even PSVR2 ones, with no patch required.
  • Supports ray tracing via the RDNA GPU, but this can be unenviably taxing for it, compromising other graphical quality and performance. These calculations will see a two, or even threefold increase in performance for the Pro model, likely using a dedicated hardware block ala the AI Accelerator. This frees the upgraded GPU to target non-RT related features such as boosting texture resolution, level of detail draw-in and framerates. Global illumination and reflections should also see improved quality with this ray tracing block.
  • Performance and graphical quality in the standard models is reflected even for PS4 games (sometimes offering enhanced PS5 ports playable if the user has a copy of the PS4 game, even introducing ray tracing), but this should boost yet further with the Pro version.
  • HDR10 support (Dolby Vision is not supported)
  • VRR support (with firmware update)

Audio

Connectivity

  • 1 HDMI output port
  • 1 USB-C with USB 3.1 Gen 2 port along with a USB-A with USB 2.0 port on the front of the console; 2 USB-A with USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports on the back.
    • The Pro model adds another USB-C port to the front, and another to the back (this one appears to have replaced one of the USB-A's on the original models).

  • 1 Gigabit Ethernet port
  • 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6 standard) and Bluetooth 5.1 wireless capabilities. The Pro model upgrades to the Wi-Fi 7 standard.
  • The PS5 Camera uses a basic USB 3 cable rather than a proprietary one as with the PS4 (note that that console's camera requires a special adaptor if you wish to use it with the PS5)

    PlayStation Virtual Reality 2 
PSVR2 HMD
  • Dual 4K, 2000x2040 OLED 5.7 inch panels with 90 Hz refresh rate and 110° field of view (fov/FOV), one for each eye; their spacing can be adjusted to account for user IPD (the distance between their pupils) via an adjustment dial.
  • Forgoing external camera tracking like its predecessor used, it instead has four cameras mounted on the headset itself. This makes head tracking more accurate, and likewise allows for accurate tracking for the Sense controllers. They can also be used to obtain an external or "see-through" view of the player's surroundings.
  • Inward-facing IR cameras used to track eye movement for balancing rendering resources and also e.g. inputs controlled by looking in a certain direction.
  • "Foveated"note  rendering used to concentrate system resources such that wherever the user is directly looking at has the best render resolution, and the periphery is accordingly reduced. Akin to the natural focusing of human vision on specific targets.
  • Ray traced rendering from the host hardware is currently deprecated because it causes a performance hit for the virtual reality display, except for instances of 2D/"flat" images such as playing a normal game in the headset without VR mode. However, the PS5 Pro upgraded model could conceivably be powerful enough to fully leverage ray tracing in VR without it being taxing on the framerate or resolution, as a unique selling point for the upgraded hardware.
  • Force feedback is integrated into the headset for a touch of haptic effects, enhancing the immersion from the VR scenario.
  • Integrated cooling system to protect the internal electronics, and also to reduce lens fog during play.
  • Includes a basic pair of earbuds for 3D sound, but the user can substitute a different headset.
  • Only one integrated USB-C cable is required to interface it to the PS5. Note that if the host console's USB-C port is unfunctional, an adaptor can be used to connect it to the other USB 3 ports instead.
  • Formerly not supported at launch, the PS VR2 was later made compatible with PC, though it requires the PlayStation VR2 App on Steam to be installed, as well as the dedicated PS VR2 PC adapter or a graphics card with a VirtualLink-compatible USB-C portnote  for the headset.
    • Furthermore, features like headset feedback, eye tracking and HDR, are unsupported on PC.

Sense Controllers

  • To facilitate greater approximation of hand and finger movements, these controllers come in mirrored left and right hand pairs, fully facilitating ambidextrous use. Each features its own analog stick (with L3/R3 clickable buttons), two buttons from the traditional Sony controller front button pool (Triangle and Square, and Circle and Square respectively) and index (L2/R2) and middle (L1/R1) finger buttons. Each button has capacitive sensors, allowing finger movement (from the thumb to the middle finger) to be sensed without the button having to be depressed.
  • Haptic feedback.
  • Adaptive triggers, like the regular DualSense controllers.
  • 14 IR LEDs optimally placed around the central ring, which are tracked by the headset's cameras.
  • Charged by USB C ports, but most users tend to prefer first or third party charging docks to cut down on the cables required.
  • Similar to the headset itself, it was later made compatible with PC, though it requires a Bluetooth adapter or dongle and must be used in conjunction with the headset itself.

    DualSense and DualSense Edge 
DualSense
  • While the button layout remains the same as previous PlayStation controllers, the DualSense has a more ergonomic design.
  • Like the DualShock 4, it has a touchpad for touch control and accelerometers and gyroscopes for motion-sensing control.
  • It has resistance-based adaptive triggers, powered by small motors and gears.
  • Instead of the standard rumble motors, the DualSense has a pair of large voice-coil actuators (VAC in short) in their place.
    • The VACs actuates on the more detailed, audio-based haptic feedback signal sent from the console.
  • Unlike the DualShock 4 which has a Micro-USB port, the DualSense has a USB Type-C port for wired connectivity and charging.
  • Just like DualShock 4, the DualSense can be used on PC as a DirectInput controller, with some of its features supported by selected PC games.
    • However, the audio-based haptic feedback is only possible when the controller's audio device is exposed to the host PC. The controller's audio device is only exposed when connected via USB-C and when the controller is connected via Bluetooth, the VACs only actuates on the less detailed standard rumble signal.
    • In addition to this, not all supported PC games can utilize the controller's adaptive triggers when connected via Bluetooth.

DualSense Edge

  • Many of the features of the regular DualSense are present.
  • It has a pair of user-replaceable stick modules.
    • On the front of the module is the FN button, used for various functionalities but mainly for switching built-in profiles when used in conjunction with the right face buttons.
    • On the top of the module is a pressure-fit stick cap, which can be swap for the different ones that come included in the carrying case.
  • It has 3-step triggers stops to reduce the trigger travel for quick actuation. Note that switching to shorter travel will also disable the adaptive triggers.
  • On the back of the controller are the remappable buttons, which can be swapped between the lever type and the half-dome type.
    • When the controller was launched, the remappable buttons can only be used by using the customizable built-in profiles, which can only be customized when connected to a PS5. This was changed in August 2024, when the controller firmware updater on PC was updated and rebranded as the PlayStation Accessories app, allowing PC user to customizes the controller's built-in profiles.
    • Certain controller wrappers on PC, such as Steam Input, can utilize the remappable buttons, provided that the controller is set to the default profile.
  • Comes with a carrying case for storing the controller and associated accessories.
  • Due to having a different hardware ID than the regular DualSense, not all DualSense-supported PC games support the DualSense Edge's features on PC.

    PlayStation Portal 
  • 1920 x 1080, touch-enabled, 8 inches, 60Hz LCD screen. Doubles as an input device ala a regular Dual Sense's touchpad.
  • Operating system is a customised, locked-down version of Android 13 "Tiramisu".
  • Controls are effectively identical to a Dual Sense controller, including adaptive triggers, motion controls and haptics.
  • USB-C connectivity for charging, and 3.5mm audio jack.
  • 16.6 Wh lithium battery, achieving about six hours (more if you tone down features such as rumble, screen brightness and sound) of streaming time.
  • Qualcomm SG4150P system on a chip.
  • RAM: Samsung LPDDR4x, 4GB according to reports.
  • Storage is 6GB, ordinarily reserved for the OS and firmware updates.

Games announced or released:

    Games #-F 

    Games G-M 

     Games N-Z 

 
Feedback

Video Example(s):

Astro Bot

Youtuber Circle Toons HD praises the game through rap

Example of:
Gratuitous Rap

Alternative Title(s): PS 5

Previous

Index

Next

  • Show Spoilers
  • Night Vision
  • Sticky Header
  • Wide Load

Important Links

Ask The Tropers Trope Finder Media Finder Trope Launch Pad Tech Wishlist Browse Go Ad Free!
Crucial Browsing
Resources
Top

Astro Bot

Youtuber Circle Toons HD praises the game through rap

How well does it match the trope?

5 (13 votes)

Example of:

Main / GratuitousRap

Media sources:

Report

X Tutup