After months of seeing it in photos and videos, we finally got a chance to test the PS5; we spent a lot of time playing with the new DualSense controller and integrated Astro's Playroom, and can you tell what to expect when you open the box. We'll also be talking, for the first time, about what it's like to play console games... er, well, a singular game, because we only got to try out Astro Playroom. Nonetheless, it has taught us a lot about how the console will play. It's too early to discuss what the console is really capable of and what it looks like to navigate the PS5's interface, but we can finally talk about the console itself, its design, and most importantly, our first impression of PS5's gaming hardware. Sony's next generation. . Welcome to the future of console gaming - this is our first look at the PS5. Get the best PS5 deals before everyone else! We'll send you pre-order details and the best PSXNUMX deals as they become available. Please send me details of other relevant Techradar products and future brands. Please send me details of other relevant third party products. No spam, I promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we will never share your data without your permission.
PS5 unboxing: that's not what matters on the outside
The PS5 box is quite discreet. There are no next-gen game screenshots or cool, cutting-edge images, but it does its job of providing key information: for example, it reaffirms that we have 825GB of storage space. on the console itself instead of a full 1TB, and the PS5 box talks in detail about 3D audio technology. While the Xbox Series X's exterior packaging touts its support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, the PS5 only hits you with three key numbers up front: 4K/120 and 8K, followed by the acronym HDR. . These details show that it's a powerful console, sure, but otherwise the spec information is mostly minimal: the back of the box mentions the console's custom processor and SSD. Inside the box you have the console, a wireless controller, the dock, an HDMI cable that is almost certainly HDMI 2.1 compatible (it's actually the same one that comes with the PS4 Pro), plus the power cable, a USB- AC USB-A for charging the DualSense controller and user manual / warranty information. You'll also technically have a game in the box: Astro's Playroom, which, as mentioned, comes pre-installed on all PlayStation 5 consoles.
PS5 design: welcome to the future of fan-cooled gaming
If game consoles had weight classes, the PS5 would be in the heavyweight division: we measured it around 38,8 x 8 x 26 cm or 15¼ x 3 x 10¼ inches (height x width x depth). - although the curved surfaces make it a bit difficult to get an exact measurement - and it weighed almost 10 pounds (4,5 kg or about 9,92 pounds). Due to its size and weight, you will need to place it on a sturdy base (included with the console) that can support the weight of the console and has enough space for the PS5. The drive tray makes the PS5 slightly thicker on one side towards the base of the console, though if you buy the PS5 Digital Edition your console will not have a drive tray and will be even on both sides. . Even though it's wider, the PS5 still looks pretty sleek with its curved edges, two-tone design, and eye-catching LEDs that run along the inside edge of the console. The all-white shell encloses a reflective black center that, to some on TechRadar, looks like an inverted Oreo cookie. In terms of ports, the front has USB-A and USB-C ports, while the rear has two USB-A, an HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, and a power port. There are no proprietary ports on the console, but it actually seems like a good thing this time around. It's almost identical to what you'll find on the Xbox Series X, but the X also has a slot for expandable storage that the PS5 doesn't. Sony says it's possible to upgrade the internal storage with an NVME SSD, but we expect the PS5 to have external SSD options as well. Our least favorite part of the PS5's design so far is that the mount can be quite difficult to figure out at first. Yes, it can go on the bottom or side of the console, but it's not clear where exactly the console is supposed to sit on the base. We're also not too concerned about all the vents surrounding the console on all sides, but the advantage of this design is that the PS5 is a fairly quiet console and stays surprisingly cool. We haven't been able to put it through a rigorous test yet - we'll probably need Spider-Man: Miles Morales or Demon Souls Remake for that - but so far the system has worked quietly. and it didn't generate a ton of heat.
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(Image credit: future)
PS5 DualSense Controller: The Most Comfortable PlayStation Controller Ever?
To navigate this brave new world of console gaming, you'll need a new controller, namely the new Sony DualSense that was introduced earlier this year. The controller is similar to the DualShock 4 that came with the PS4 and is incredibly comfortable to hold for long periods of time. Gaining the upper hand, the DualSense is fairly light and balanced, with most of the weight resting on the controller handles. While most controllers have a matte white plastic finish, the underside of the handles have a slightly rougher texture that makes the controller easier to hold and less likely to slip out of your hands. On the face of the controller, you'll see the traditional D-pad and shape buttons, now with a clear plastic coating that matches the console's futuristic aesthetic, along with the options, share, and buttons. PlayStation and microphone. The front of the DualSense also has two new concave joysticks with a rubber finish on the outer edges that feel easier to hold, while the trackpad that has an LED light underneath is similar to the one found on the DualShock. 4. Flip it back and you'll find the bumpers and triggers along with the USB-C port you'll use to charge the controller. After spending a bit of time playing with it, the bumpers feel a little soft, but the triggers are absolutely fantastic thanks to adaptive feedback that allows developers to program the resistance of the triggers to more accurately simulate actions. , reproducing sensations like stepping on a car pedal or pulling a bowstring. This is a huge step forward for haptic technology in Sony hardware. Lastly, there's the 3,5mm audio jack that will allow you to plug in your own headphones should you decide not to use the controller's built-in microphone.
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(Image credit: future)
PS5 game first impressions: Astro's arcade is silly, fun... and pretty forgettable
While everyone is looking forward to playing Demon's Souls and Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales at launch, their first official PS5 game will be the one that comes pre-installed on the console: Astro's Playroom. We won't mince words: Astro's Playroom is silly, fun... and probably won't win Game of the Year 2020. A full sequel to Astro Bot: Rescue Mission, Astro's Playroom is a platformer that uses exotic locations to hide artifacts from the Sony's PlayStation hardware catalog. You'll find a PlayStation VR aiming controller hidden in a snow bank somewhere in one level, for example, while another level might hide the PlayStation Portable in a haystack. This second one is a made up example because we can only talk about the first level, but you understand. The first full level of the game includes roughly what we consider to be 25% of the game, and much of that serves as an introduction to what the new DualSense controller can do and acts as a showcase for longer load times. fast console, smoother frame. adaptation rates and triggers. The level we got to see was called Cooling Springs and it was very reminiscent of an ice scene in a Super Mario Galaxy or Mario Odyssey game, with little collectibles scattered all over the place and secrets hidden off the beaten path. There are different types of enemies, many of which you might have seen if you've played the previous Astro game, and you'll also get into other modes of transport, like a giant spring, which will help mix up the gameplay of Every Now and Then. . What stood out to us the most in our time in terms of tier is how well it plays on our 4K/60Hz TV with HDMI 2.1 and how fast everything loads. No, we couldn't get the damn 4K/120Hz gameplay that Sony has been hyping for the past few months, but even at 4K/60, the PS5's frame rate was rock solid and felt like butter. We probably won't spend any more time than necessary beating the game over the next week and then uninstalling it to reclaim the 10GB of storage space it takes up on the console, but we're glad we tried Astro. Game room, although it was only for that half hour or so.
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(Image credit: future)
Early verdict
Without even turning it on, the PS5 looks futuristic. The design case of the PS5 is a bit heavy, but it looks like high-end hardware. Similarly, the new DualSense has the same space-age aesthetic as the console, but feels very comfortable to hold for an extended period. The features added to the controller, such as the mic mute button and adaptive triggers, are great additions to Sony's controller design, and we can't wait to see how other games implement them in the future. to upload. Finally, our first taste of gaming is amazingly smooth on a 4K TV with HDMI 2.1. Astro's arcade certainly isn't a god of war, but it's a fun way to learn more about the new console's capabilities while celebrating the legacy of Sony PlayStation. We can't wait to see what else the console has in store for us.