PlayStation 5 Broadly speaking, the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X discussed by us are not inferior to each other, which makes it quite predictable that after the Series X the PS5 also wins an Excellent award. The PlayStation 5 is also a beautiful device that clearly gives console gamers a step up without having to buy a much more expensive gaming PC. Although there are few games that already show the added value of the hardware well, the first impressions are fine. However, it is mainly the DualSense controller that leaves a lasting impression, thanks to the adaptive triggers and the haptic feedback. It is a pity that there is no support for variable refresh rate, Dolby Vision and a 1440 p resolution, but apart from that there is little to criticize on this console that PlayStation gamers should provide thousands of hours of gaming and media enjoyment for gamers over the next few years.

Last week we published the review of the Xbox Series X which, together with the Xbox Series S, has appeared on the market. With that, the next generation of game consoles has officially arrived. Sony will also release its new console, the PlayStation 5, this week, but not yet in Europe. Just like the countries around us, the Netherlands and Belgium have to wait until 19 November before the PlayStation 5 arrives. However, Tweakers already received its review copy from Sony at the end of October. This allowed us to work extensively with the futuristic-looking machine and subject it to the necessary tests, just as we did a little earlier with the Xbox Series X. Partly because there are still few optimized games for both consoles, it is still far too early to identify a ‘winner’. Instead, in both reviews we specifically looked at what both ruffs have and offer on board. For the PlayStation 5, that means: a renewed user interface, waiting for next-gen updates for games, an excellent – strongly renewed – controller and a striking look. With the latter we kick off.

Futuristic design A spaceship. The Tower of Doom. The Eye of Sauron. A student collar. It may be clear that the appearance of the PlayStation 5 has been quite stirring since its unveiling. Indeed, there is plenty to say about the exterior of Sony’s new device. Where Microsoft opted for a safe, perhaps even somewhat modest design, Sony chooses a more daring path with which it can potentially also count on more negative reactions. The console not only has a striking design, but also striking dimensions. At 39 inches, this is the longest console you’ll ever own. Even the first Xbox One, which was compared to a VCR, was shorter. Partly because of that considerable length, the PS5 looks fairly slim. What you think of the design will be a matter of personal taste. One person thinks the futuristic look is cool, another thinks it hideous. Fortunately, a ‘console war’ is not decided on looks, although aversion to appearance may be a reason for some not to put a device in the living room. For a game console, the latter is of course a problem.

The appearance of the PlayStation 5 is characterized by the shiny chest on the front, flanked by two white panels that protrude slightly. . The blue-ray drive can be found on one of those white sides, unless you have the Digital Edition of the console. Unlike Microsoft, Sony doesn’t release two very different machines. While the Xbox Series X and S are very different devices with different capacities, the PlayStation 5 versions only differ in terms of the physical carrier, so: a disc drive or not? The version without a Blu-ray drive is cheaper, of course, but limits gamers to one store. It goes without saying that the price development of games will develop in the coming years, but at the moment games – regardless of offers and promotions – are rarely cheaper in the PlayStation Store than if you were to buy them from another store. That’s an important detail should you consider purchasing the PS5 Digital Edition.

The PlayStation 5 comes with cabling, one DualSense controller – more on that on a later page more – and a foot. Sony recommends that you always mount the base, regardless of whether you place your console vertically or horizontally. Assembly is quite simple, by hooking the base to the grille at the back and then screwing it on with the supplied screw. Of course, all this ensures that your console becomes a little higher, but also that it is more stable, especially in a vertical position, while in a horizontal position you mainly prevent scratches on one of the sides. Those scratches are also a problem on the high-gloss black part of the console. After two weeks of use, there are already some small scratches on the console at the Tweakers editors, while of course you can also see all (oily) fingers very well.

On the front you will find In addition to the aforementioned disk, an on / off button and a USB port, which can be used, among other things, to charge the DualSense with the supplied cable. In particular, the rear takes up a lot of space for the grille that dissipates heat, but there is of course also a connection for power, along with an HDMI port, Ethernet adapter and two additional USB ports.

Nice foot You would almost miss it, but the mentioned foot is a very nice detail to the design of the PS5. When using the console vertically, the base is therefore absolutely recommended, but even if you want to use it horizontally, the base is almost indispensable. The great thing is that the base has a compartment where you can store the screw that you use to screw it to the narrow bottom so that it can stand upright. If you want to put the console down, you don’t need the screw and to avoid losing it, there is that box. The nice thing is that you can rotate the two parts that make up the foot. This ensures that a small cover slides over the cavity for the screw, so that it cannot fall out.

Due to the sloping side of the PS5, it is actually not so suitable to be placed horizontally. But Sony has thought of that. If you close the slider in the base, it immediately causes the base to rise slightly on one side, precisely compensating for the sloping shape of the PS5. Then you click the foot on the side of the console and you can use it lying down. The white side panel indicates where you need to click the foot. No matter how beautiful the idea is, it doesn’t work completely flawlessly. We call it clicking here, but the foot is not firmly attached. Especially if you want to move the console a bit, the foot comes off very easily. Or it shifts slightly so that the console is no longer straight. Moreover, the wide console is a bit shaky on the then suddenly somewhat narrow base. So placing it vertically is better, but it remains a nice detail.