Well, at long last we have the official console reveal, and it’s far more exciting in appearance than expected.
Not only that, we also saw the surprising dual-console reveal, with Sony springing an All-Digital version on us, too.
And that’s not all: An HD Webcam, Media Remote (still not sure on these, they come across as gimmicky), charging station and headset were all showcased.
Meet the family…
Sony have really gone all-in on the white on black colourway, and like the controller, it’s sure to be divisive. Pete, our resident Sony fanboy, loves it. I like it in it’s upright position, even if it is a bit OTT, but it looks weird when lying horizontal.
Digital Edition
I’ll be honest, this was a curve ball. Is this a way for Sony to come in at a price-point below that of the Xbox Series X? Does this hint that the PS5 with the drive will cost more than the Series X, and Sony want to compete?
Regardless of the reason, it’s a really good idea for many consumers (I literally own zero games on disc this gen). As long as the only difference between the two is the removal of the drive and the digital isn’t under-powered, this will be my console of choice from the Sony stable.
Let’s be honest, it looks way better without the disc drive, too.
No rear view?
Call me weird, but I’m a fan of an impressive IO array. Sure, the case is curvy and bedecked with fancy blue lighting, but what we haven’t seen are the ports on offer. Is there an S/PDIF out, or have they gone the way of Xbox and removed it? How many USB ports does it have? Where is the SSD expansion bay/slot? So many questions left unanswered…
Extra, extra!
Not content with letting 3rd party manufacturers steal all the thunder, Sony has wisely got in there first with official, complementary styled peripherals. This could be seen as Sony milking the early-adopters. After all, they are the ones most likely to throw big bucks at the console.
But, why shouldn’t Sony get the action? As long as they perform and don’t turn into neglected gimmicks (I’m looking at you, media remote), there’s a huge market for add-ons. I can see these accessories filling lots of online baskets this holiday season.
Charging Station
It’s a charging station. I’m not going to waste your time prattling on about it. They aren’t really necessary, but they’re very convenient. <Adds to basket>
HD Camera
Consoles have a rocky history with webcams. PlayStation Eye, Kinect, Kinect again. If this was anyone other than Sony, I’d be crying out about it being a shameless money grab. When you consider that Sony is heavily invested in VR, though, it makes a lot more sense.
It’s an elegant design, and the twin-cam setup certainly points toward it being designed for VR use. I predict a lot of these to be mounted under TVs or on desks this Christmas. Now we just have to wait for the announcement for the new VR headset.
Pulse 3D Wireless Headset
These interest us. We review a lot of premium headsets, and there is a huge number already on the market. Sony, of course, have been in the audio game for decades, and they produce fantastic headphones.
The eagle-eyed will have picked up there is no boom mic. Is it then a detachable one, or is it integrated into the ear cups? Could they even be reliant on the microphone integrated into the controller?
It’s hard to imagine Sony releasing a mid to low end headset after how much they have touted the 3D processing of the PS5. So, will these be a premium set of cans, with a premium price? Given the quality of the Sony WH1000XM3 (£249.99 RRP), we’re expecting something special. It may be wishful thinking, and they certainly wouldn’t be cheap, but if they can incorporate that sound into a gaming headset at a reasonable price then Sony could put a lot of cash in their pocket.
Media Remote
When I was younger, and had far more disposable income, I bought pretty much every accessory going. Some got a lot of use, like the Chatpad for the Xbox 360. Others, not so much. I’m sure I’ve got a box with barely used, unloved media remotes from all manner of forgotten devices.
They seem like a great idea, but when you’ve got a perfectly functional controller sat there, I personally never see the point in them. I’m sure some people get a lot of use out of them, and the tasteful styling has appeal, so no doubt they’ll be picked up by the thousand, but I’m a gamer. Even binge-watching Netflix is done controller in hand.
The future is bright and ray-traced
With a mixed showcase of games from the recent event (although with some outstanding titles mixed in for sure – cough, Horizon, cough), it’s safe to say the internet commentators have a lot more ammo in their bags for the console wars now.
From our perspective (annoyingly platform-agnostic, according to trolls), whichever console you choose for the next generation you can expect phenomenal performance from the consoles themselves. If you are a true gaming fan, of course, you should have both – as well as a beefy PC gaming rig.
