Bringing Game Consoles on Planes (Playstation, Xbox, & Nintendo TSA Rules) 2023. Playstation near me

Bringing Game Consoles on Planes (Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo TSA Rules) [2023]

A lot of casual and serious gamers wonder whether or not they can bring their game consoles through TSA security checkpoints and on to the plane. We could be talking PS3, PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch — the list goes on and on.

Luckily, if you want to bring your gaming system on a plane I have some good news for you in this article. Keep reading below to find out everything you need to know about bringing game consoles through airport security and onto a plane.

Can you bring a PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox, or other gaming console on a plane?

Yes, you can bring your game console on a plane but there are some key considerations that you want to think about before doing so.

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TSA rules for gaming systems

TSA makes it clear that you are allowed to bring your gaming system through TSA security and onto a plane. You can bring your game console as a carry-on item which means that you keep it with you as you head through the TSA security checkpoint or you can bring it in your checked baggage which is what you drop off near the check-in desk.

Bringing a game console as a carry-on

The best way to travel with your Playstation, Xbox, and other game consoles on a plane is to bring them as a carry-on.

If you bring your game console to a plane as a carry-on, TSA will essentially treat your console as a laptop.

This means that in many (but not all) cases you will be asked to remove your Playstation or Xbox from your carry-on bag and place it in a bin so that it could be scanned by the x-ray machine individually. This also means that you will need to separate any of your wires, controllers, and game discs from your console.

Tip: Because your game console will be pretty big, it will probably be easiest to put your console in a bin by itself and then put your other items like cables and controllers in a separate bin.

A few things to consider here.

First, if you have TSA Pre-Check you may be able to just keep your console in your backpack and not have to hassle with taking it out with all of the wires.

With Pre-Check you often only have to pass through a traditional metal detector (as opposed to the invasive full-body scanners) and you also get to enjoy the following benefits:

It’s possible a TSA agent may want to take a closer look at your system and possibly swab it for traces of explosives. This will definitely be the case if you get hit with SSSS.

Tips for bringing your console as a carry-on

If you decide to bring your console as a carry-on I would suggest fitting it in a backpack or bag that has a sleeve or compartment where the console can fit snugly.

You want the fit to be snug enough so that the console does not bounce around in your bag but not too tight to where it is an issue taking it out for the security checkpoint.

Some people get dedicated bags like this PlayStation 4 bag to transport their console in. Also, here is an example of a PS5 backpack carrier.

That is a great way to find a nice fit but advertising that you are walking around with an expensive gaming system may not always be a great idea. So something more discrete like this PS5 bag would probably be better.

Also, make sure that you separate all of your gaming items before heading through security so that you can easily get through security without holding up the line. Avoid wrapping your wires around your console or any other storage techniques that would slow things down.

You also want to keep a close eye on your console. You will probably have to head through a full body scanner while your console makes its way through an x-ray machine.

While rare, it is possible for items to get lost or stolen at security checkpoints during this process so try to keep as close of an eye as you can on your valuable electronics.

Some airlines have size or weight restrictions when it comes to your carry-on. For example on JetBlue, each passenger can bring one carry-on that must not exceed:

According to Verge, the PS5 is approximately 390mm (15.4 inches) tall, 260mm (10.24 inches) deep and 104mm (4.09 inches) wide. So your PS5, Xbox, or other common gaming system will be able to fit in these carry-on limits but if you have a lot of additional items or a very bulky bag, it’s possible that you could exceed the limit.

A lot of airlines are not super strict about the carry-on size and weight as long as it is small enough to fit in the overhead storage bin or under your seat.

But every now and again you may run into an agent who will measure your carry-on bag to make sure that it complies with the limitations. If it is too big, the agent will force you to check your bag which means that you will have to run the risk of your console getting damaged.

This is one reason you might at first consider placing your controllers in your checked baggage. The problem with this is that many controllers have lithium batteries which are prohibited in checked baggage. This is also the case with certain Nintendo products as well.

Therefore, I would avoid transporting video game controllers and small game consoles in your checked baggage.

So a better plan of action might be to carry them in your personal item, such as a backpack. Unless you have purchased a basic economy ticket or you are flying with a low budget carrier, you will be able to bring on a carry-on bag plus a personal item. The carry-on bag is typically a luggage bag or some sort of duffel bag while the personal item can be a backpack (usually on the smaller side but not always).

Your console could technically count as a personal item by itself (not inside a bag or case). You will need to make sure that it will fit under your seat, though. I would try to avoid walking around with the console without a bag or case because you could damage it and also call a lot of attention to yourself.

Remember that some airlines like Spirit and Frontier do not allow you to bring a carry-on item for free. So if you want to bring your console on a flight with them expect to pay up extra cash to make that happen.

International travel

If you are traveling at an international airport it is possible that the security agents may want to apply more scrutiny to your luggage if they discover that you have a large electronic item.

This is similar to traveling with a drone — your bulky console is just something that catches the attention of security more often.

They may want to swab your device for traces of explosives and closely inspect other items in your bag but if you have nothing to hide this should be a pretty painless process.

Carry-on or checked baggage

You can also take your gaming console on a plane by leaving it in your checked baggage.

This is NOT recommended for a couple of reasons.

Baggage handlers are not the most graceful when it comes to handling your checked baggage. So if you do decide to transport it in your checked baggage, do your best to wrap it with a lot of bubblewrap, foam or something similar to prevent damage.

The other reason is theft. While it is rare, some items do go missing from time to time after being dropped off with an airline.

A lot of these items tend to be expensive electronics such as cameras, tablets, etc. A gaming system could definitely fall into this category although some of them are quite large and would be more difficult for an agent to steal.

If you keep the gaming system with you the entire time as a carry-on you never have to run the risk of someone stealing it while you are away from it which gives a lot of passengers peace of mind.

Using your console on a plane

Some gamers may want to take things to the next level and power up their gaming console while on the plane. This is not a very good idea because of the power outlets capacity.

Most power systems on airplanes are limited to 75 watts of power per seat. If you wanted to play one of your PS5 games while on a plane you would need more than 140 watts of power. So trying to get your gaming fix while on the plane is not very feasible with large consoles.

However, if you have something like a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite you should be able to play that on the plane no problem.

And in case you weren’t aware, airlines like United won’t allow you to plug in your own TV — you’ll have to settle for the seatback entertainment.

FAQs

Yes, you are allowed to bring your controllers as a carry-on item.

The amount of power needed by a gaming console for active playing exceeds the limits usually available by the power outlets. So while you may be able to plug in your console it is not a good idea in a lot of cases. Some airlines also may prohibit you from plugging in a large electronic device such as a video game console.

Some of the common game consoles that are allowed on planes include:

Xbox OneXbox 360Nintendo SwitchPlayStation 3PlayStation 4PlayStation 5 Super NintendoNintendo Wii

If your console has a game inside it, you can still get it through security but I would recommend removing the game and transporting it in a separate case if possible. This will also help prevent your disc from getting scratched.

Yes, you can play a Nintendo Switch on a plane.

Yes, you can bring CDs, including CD games, on a plane.

Final word

TSA is very clear that you are allowed to bring gaming consoles through airport security or in your checked baggage. My advice would to always bring it as a carry-on and to pack it in such a way that it can be easily removed from your bag without being a tangled mess of wires and controllers.

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and creator of the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned full-time credit card rewards/travel expert and has earned and redeemed millions of miles to travel the globe. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.

Choosing the Right Playstation 5

The new PS VR2 virtual reality has finally arrived for the Playstation 5, and we’ve added impressions to this guide.

The Playstation 4 era, which started in 2013, is over. Big Playstation titles will still launch on the PlayStation 4 in 2023, but the PlayStation 4 is expected to cease production by the end of the year. In 2023, new-Playstation shoppers have a better option: the 500 Playstation 5 and its somewhat slimmer sibling, the 400 Playstation 5 Digital Edition.

The best PS5

This version of the PS5 has a disc drive so you can watch UHD Blu-ray movies, as well as play new, or used PS5 and PlayStation 4 game discs. The rest of the features and hardware are the same.

Buying Options

At the time of publishing, the price was 0.

If you have a big collection of physical Playstation 4 games, if you want to watch 4K Blu-ray discs on your console, or if you’re a deal hunter looking for discounted new and used games on disc, you should get the standard Playstation 5 so that you can use its UHD Blu-ray drive.

Same, but no disc drive

The Digital Edition doesn’t include a disc drive, so you can’t watch Blu-rays or take advantage of new or used games, or old PlayStation 4 discs. But if you’re comfortable going all digital, it has the same graphics, CPU, memory, and storage hardware as the standard PS5.

Buying Options

At the time of publishing, the price was 0.

The Playstation 5 Digital Edition costs a hundred dollars less, and other than its lack of a UHD Blu-ray drive, it does everything the standard version does. If you don’t want to spend 500 on a new console, if you don’t buy or watch movies on UHD Blu-ray, or if you don’t care about disc-based games, the Digital Edition might make more sense, especially for anyone who takes advantage of a Playstation Plus game subscription.

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4K represents the next big step in high-definition video, with 3840×2160 pixels—four times the resolution of 1080p, which has been the standard high-def for years.

Most of Playstation’s biggest games in 2022 came to the PlayStation 4, including Horizon Forbidden West, Gran Turismo 7, and God of War: Ragnarok. But Sony has already made a case for the PS5 with high-profile exclusive games like Returnal and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, and we’re starting to see more and more games that take advantage of the PS5’s upgrades. If you have spent a lot of time with your Playstation 4 and are ready for immediately noticeable improvements in console boot times and game loading, as well as some performance and visual improvements in the games you already have, you can get all of that on a Playstation 5 right now and leave virtually none of your Playstation 4 library behind.

The best PS5

This version of the PS5 has a disc drive so you can watch UHD Blu-ray movies, as well as play new, or used PS5 and PlayStation 4 game discs. The rest of the features and hardware are the same.

Buying Options

At the time of publishing, the price was 0.

Same, but no disc drive

The Digital Edition doesn’t include a disc drive, so you can’t watch Blu-rays or take advantage of new or used games, or old PlayStation 4 discs. But if you’re comfortable going all digital, it has the same graphics, CPU, memory, and storage hardware as the standard PS5.

Buying Options

At the time of publishing, the price was 0.

Playstation 5 vs. Playstation 5 Digital Edition: What’s the difference?

The Playstation 5 and the Playstation 5 Digital Edition are almost identical to one another, with the same internal components save the inclusion of a UHD Blu-ray drive in the main version. That UHD drive carries a premium, though—the Playstation 5 is 500, a full 100 more than the Playstation 5 Digital Edition. However, we’re concerned that the hundred dollars in savings for Digital Edition buyers may evaporate in the long run.

As of 2020, digital downloads began to overtake retail discs in sales numbers for high-profile games. Although digital games go on sale more often than they used to, disc games still see steeper discounts in more places more often. And just as important for some players, disc-based games can be bought, sold, and traded. If you can save 20 per game by buying used discs, the more expensive Playstation 5 pays for itself after five used games—something that seems likely over the life of a console. Such savings may be an even bigger consideration this console generation, as Playstation has led the charge with a higher, 70 suggested price for most of its exclusive titles (a step that many other companies have also taken for games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and the Batman spinoff Gotham Knights).

Deciding to upgrade from a Playstation 4

On top of its basic quality-of-life additions, the Playstation 5 has already provided a few new games that aren’t available on the Playstation 4 and Xbox One. But you’re also getting prettier, better-performing versions of games—sometimes significantly better—that will usually be available on other platforms, as well.

Compared to the PlayStation 4 Pro (left), the PS5 is huge. You may need to make room in a new spot near your TV. Photo: Arthur Gies

Compared to the PlayStation 4 Pro (left), the PS5 is huge. You may need to make room in a new spot near your TV. Photo: Arthur Gies

For example, although God of War: Ragnarok offers some high resolution modes and even 120 Hz support for supported televisions on PS5, it’s also on the PlayStation 4. Demon’s Souls looks stunning, but it’s a remake of a Playstation 3 title from 2009. Ratchet Clank: Rift Apart was the first example of something truly, generationally above and beyond games you can play on your PlayStation 4, and since then, PS5-exclusive titles have been slow to trickle out. The next expected exclusive is Final Fantasy XVI, which is scheduled to release in June.

New games with better graphics

The Playstation 5 features a newer, more powerful generation of graphics hardware than in previous consoles, and the results should be noticeable in a variety of ways. In most new games, you can expect higher resolutions, higher frame rates, and more detailed characters and environments than you see on the Playstation 4, with greater amounts of fancy tricks such as smoke and fog that has physical properties and lighting that behaves and reflects more like light does in the real world.

That last part is particularly likely to improve as the generation progresses. The Playstation 5’s GPU is capable of hardware-accelerated ray tracing, a type of graphics rendering that allows for much more sophisticated visual effects and lighting. Launch titles such as Spider-Man: Miles Morales use ray-traced reflections for much more realistic reflective surfaces, as does 2021’s Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart and last year’s Ghostwire: Tokyo. Ray tracing has been referred to for years as the holy grail of video game graphics, but developers have only scratched the surface of what they’ll achieve with it in the next several years.

Higher frame rates and better performance

While developers are still learning to take advantage of all of the PS5’s more powerful graphics technology, the hardware improvements of the Playstation 5 are noticeable elsewhere. The PS5 has a powerful CPU—in the neighborhood of four times as powerful as its predecessor in raw speed and the number of cores and threads, to say nothing of seven years’ worth of efficiency and other improvements. This means a fast user interface, speedy load times, more sophisticated character and game behaviors, and just more stuff on screen at any given moment than the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One could produce.

But the biggest improvements should be most apparent in frame rates, which should hit 60 frames per second much more often than on the PlayStation 4. The more frames per second, the more often the controller and the game are communicating, which means more-responsive controls. The more powerful hardware also helps to build bigger worlds and allow more players in a game, as demonstrated in Battlefield 2042; the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X|S release features larger maps and double the player counts (128) compared with the last-generation version (64) on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

A number of games originally released for the Playstation 4 include “performance” modes that have unlocked frame rates, and these games and many others should exhibit huge improvements in performance and responsiveness on the PS5. In addition, many of Sony’s flagship Playstation 4 exclusives, including God of War (2018), Ghost of Tsushima, The Last of Us Part II, Days Gone, and Horizon Zero Dawn have received updates that upgrade their performance to 60 frames per second (and they also benefit from significantly improved loading times).

Shorter load times thanks to faster storage

All your games and saves on the Playstation 5 are stored on a PCIe-based drive, which brings a huge improvement in console startup, game bootups, and even in-game load times compared with previous-generation consoles, which used mechanical hard disks. Many PlayStation 4 games run better on a Playstation 5, as well.

A new user experience

The Playstation 5 user interface is designed to take advantage of the console’s solid-state storage and more powerful CPU to allow for faster navigation and some new features. The difference is clear as soon as you boot up the Playstation 5, which transitions from fully powered off to its user login screen in just over 20 seconds. It comes back from standby mode in about six seconds, a considerable improvement over previous-generation consoles.

You can tell the console to default to certain settings in PS5 games—such as inverted look controls, first- or third-person view, and other commonly tweaked preferences—so you don’t have to change them game by game.

Once you log in, you’ll find several quickly accessible groups, including games, media apps, and settings. Hitting the Playstation button on the PS5’s DualSense controller brings up the Control Center, which is intended to immediately surface the most common and important options most players need while they’re using the system. This panel includes notifications, music-playback controls, audio levels for headset wearers, friends lists, and system standby.

The Activities feature allows developers to provide informational Windows and progress trackers in game, including picture-in-picture video playback for titles that support it. Plus, developers can provide instant jumping-on points from the dashboard, so you can, for example, open multiplayer mode without traversing additional game menus—if, that is, the game in question supports the feature. The PS5’s system software also includes a setting that (for reasons beyond our understanding) we haven’t seen since the Xbox 360’s launch in 2005: You can tell the console to default to certain settings in PS5 games—such as inverted look controls, first- or third-person view, and other commonly tweaked preferences—so you don’t have to change them game by game.

The PS5’s OS is an attractive evolution from that of the PlayStation 4, and in some ways it’s faster to navigate than its predecessor. If you’re trying to get to a game or app as quickly as possible, you need to press far fewer buttons to do that. But once you want to do anything more involved, it’s still quite a lot of navigation to get where you might want to go. We appreciate that the Playstation 5 provides a superficial but appealing bit of new-console smell for those coming from a Playstation 4, but it’s not quite at the level of usability found in the Playstation 4 OS.

Choosing accessories for the Playstation 5

Controllers

The Playstation 5’s controller is the new DualSense gamepad. The DualSense retains the touchpad and share buttons from the PlayStation 4’s DualShock 4 pad, along with the same basic layout, but Sony has also made some significant changes. The DualSense is a bit larger than its predecessor, closer to the size of Microsoft’s Xbox controllers of the past decade or so, with bigger face buttons, tighter sticks, and more pronounced triggers. There’s also a light texture on the back side of the controller grips, much as on the Xbox Series X and S controllers.

But the big changes are inside. The DualSense’s triggers feature haptic feedback—in this case that means the triggers can provide additional resistance, as dictated by game developers, to create different kinds of feedback. Instead of using vibrating motors, the DualSense uses coil actuators for a similar though more varied effect. The controller also once again includes a speaker, a built-in microphone array (with a noise-canceling mic on the bottom of the pad), and a USB-C port for charging.

The results range from fun and minor to almost transformative in certain circumstances. The included speaker is of much higher quality and makes sound effects coming out of the controller much more tolerable than they were with the DualShock 4. In turn, these sounds pair with nuanced vibration that provides a level of physical feedback that’s nearly textural. The haptic triggers are also capable of providing a remarkable amount of tension, which games are able to use in a variety of ways. You’ll hear a lot about this controller from PS5 owners, we’re sure, and the PS5 even comes with Astro’s Playroom, a simple-seeming game with adorable platformer gameplay designed to demonstrate all of the DualSense’s various features. In Returnal, you can feel a different level of tension as you pull the trigger tighter and activate a different firing mode; in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, you can feel footsteps dance across the face of the controller.

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Also included with the DualSense controller is a built-in microphone, which works well enough, and there’s a convenient combination indicator light and mute button that lets you see whether the microphone is picking up your audio. And, as with the Playstation 4’s DualShock 4 controller, the DualSense’s speaker is used in many Playstation-exclusive titles during gameplay, including in 2021’s Returnal and Deathloop.

Sony also offers a pro controller called the DualSense Edge, which is a more customizable—and more expensive—version of the standard DualSense. For the first time, it features fully replaceable analog stick assemblies, which allows the user to remove and replace analog sticks that show signs of failure, including stick drift. It also offers swappable thumbstick caps, remappable buttons for the back of the controller, and the ability to adjust the sensitivity and travel distance of the triggers. These features are nice to have if you spend most of your time gaming on your Playstation 5 and you can splurge on a 200 controller, but it’s not necessary for most people. And the battery on the DualSense Edge is significantly smaller than the regular controller’s—we tested its battery life, and found that it lost two-thirds of its charge in only three and a half hours. If you’re not diligent about charging after every session, or if you play wirelessly for long, consecutive periods, this may annoy you.

Additionally, a new accessibility controller kit for the PS5 is in development. Codenamed Project Leonardo, this kit will offer swappable components for gamers with disabilities to customize their layouts and configurations, including options for remappable buttons in different shapes and sizes, a variety of analog stick caps, and flexibility to modify the controller’s physical layout. The kit can be used on its own or combined with a DualSense controller, and it will also have four 3.5 mm auxiliary ports that can be used to integrate third-party accessibility accessories. So far, Sony hasn’t revealed any details about the price or release date, but we will update this guide with more information once it becomes available.

What about Playstation VR2?

The Playstation VR2 is designed as the perfect companion to the Playstation 5. It’s not a standalone headset, as it uses a single USB-C cable to connect to the PS5, but it is comfortable and easy to set up, it looks great, and it comes closer than any other cabled headset to bringing console-level simplicity to VR.

Because it uses a “halo” harness system that rests on top of your head, the PS VR2 is more comfortable than other leading headsets and adjusts more simply. It’s also easier to put on and take off, and it’s the easiest time we’ve had adjusting a headset around glasses. Each eye has a 2000×2040 OLED screen, and supports high-dynamic range. This effective resolution of 4K minimizes “screen-door effect,” and although the image isn’t perfectly sharp in every game, the OLED panels provide a great-looking image with very good black levels at high-refresh-rate modes of 90 Hz and 120 Hz. This should help mitigate VR-induced motion sickness for some wearers.

PS VR2’s goggles also include IR cameras that enable full eye tracking. It works well, judging by something as simple as menu navigation in Horizon: Call of the Mountain (more on that in a minute). It could be a great accessibility accommodation for some users, but we’ll have to see what uses games find for it in the future. Audio-wise, includes a surprisingly decent-sounding detachable pair of earbuds. You can also use your own PS5-compatible headphones.

Replacing the involved, unreliable combination of Playstation Camera and Move controllers the original used for tracking and control, the PS VR2 now uses inside-out tracking and custom Sense controllers that should feel familiar to anyone who’s used a VR setup in the last several years. The Sense controllers work well, and the tracking in our experience so far is effective, though picky about the spaces it considers appropriate for room-scale VR.

The result is very good hardware. Currently though, we think the PS VR2 is a tough sell. It retails for 550, which is quite a bit more expensive than an Oculus Quest 2, which doesn’t require a PS5 to use (even if its feature set is worse without a connected PC). On top of that, the PS VR2 isn’t backward-compatible with the last-generation PS VR’s software library, so it lacks the plethora of games you get with Meta’s Quest headsets or other, PC-based headsets. As for exclusives, other than added VR modes to games like Gran Turismo 7 and Resident Evil: Village, options are limited, and mostly available on other platforms as well. The only major exclusive release for PS VR2 at launch is Horizon: Call of the Mountain, which is beautiful but ultimately somewhat shallow, particularly for a full-priced game.

It’s a great device, but until Playstation announces a slate of must-play games that aren’t available anywhere else, most people shouldn’t buy one yet.

The original line of Playstation VR headsets (both the launch version from 2016 and the somewhat streamlined update that Sony released in 2018) are compatible with the Playstation 5, with caveats. The existing, Playstation 4–based VR headsets require the Playstation Camera, and if you want to connect that peripheral to the Playstation 5, you need a special adapter that you can order only from Sony.

Additionally, the PS5 supports the PSVR only in PlayStation 4 games running in the PS5’s backwards-compatibility mode. PS5-native games can’t use previously released PSVR hardware at all. But more importantly, the release of the PS VR2 essentially signals the end of PSVR support, and we can’t recommend it as a new purchase.

Headsets

If you already have, or are planning to buy, a standard gaming headset with a ⅛-inch connector, it will continue to work if you plug it directly into the Playstation 5’s DualSense controller. For game sound and chat via USB, you need an officially licensed headset (though the audio-balance controls may or may not work on a case-by-case basis).

The Playstation 5 (as well as the Xbox Series X and Series S) lacks the optical audio output that the Playstation 4 and other previous-generation consoles included. That means gaming headsets and audio receivers can’t connect to a PS5 via optical audio (the D-shaped port) as they could with past consoles. However, some headset manufacturers have provided firmware updates to enable proper USB support for the Playstation 5 in their existing headsets. If you have a headset that supports USB, do a quick Google search to make sure it’s officially supported. This situation is likely to change eventually as hardware manufacturers have more time to get a handle on the new consoles. Sony has also introduced a version of its Pulse Wireless Headset specifically for the PS5, which provides fully wireless support for the new system and sounds pretty good; it also offers decent construction and reasonably comfortable design (unless you have bigger ears). It’s a bit on the pricey side for a console headset, but it works virtually seamlessly with the console.

Storage

The Playstation 5’s internal storage consists of an NVMe-based custom memory component with a base capacity of 825 GB. However, after accounting for the operating system and other OS files, the PS5 leaves only 667 GB of usable storage space for games. That storage space could fill up quickly, with games like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War eating up 133 GB of that drive and many other games taking up 50 GB or more.

The PS5 includes an expansion slot for a particularly fast type of drive that you’d ordinarily put in a regular desktop PC (an NVMe drive via an M2 expansion slot). You can install a PCIe 4.0 drive there, and you can both store and run games from this expanded storage. The recommended specifications for drives here are fairly strict—a premium-priced fast PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive, which will need a heat sink—but trusted video game technology resource Digital Foundry’s testing with a variety of drives has shown pretty good results with cheaper, good-but-not-cutting-edge drives, with similar performance and load speeds demonstrated across a variety of devices.

We recommend the Samsung 980 Pro NVMe SSD for Playstation 5 owners looking to expand their storage. We bought our own heatsink to install on the version of the drive sold without one, but Samsung now offers a version of the 980 Pro with a heatsink pre-installed, and we’d recommend going that route. The price difference is within a few bucks, and while the aftermarket heatsink installation isn’t nightmarishly difficult, it does take a few minutes and was more than a little annoying. This accompanies the not-especially-difficult-but-still-involved process of opening up the Playstation 5 and installing the drive. Once you install the drive, the Playstation 5 will prompt you to format the drive before you can use the console.

A note: You should make sure that your PS5 has the most current firmware available before installing an NVMe SSD. Firmware versions prior to 21.02-04.00.00 won’t allow the console to fully boot with an additional drive installed, and you’ll have to uninstall the drive, update the firmware, and reinstall the drive (and then format it).

PS5 games can also be transferred and stored on external devices (but not played from them), so such drives can serve as an archive that will let you avoid having to redownload a game in the future.

For backward-compatible PlayStation 4 titles, games can be stored and played via external storage options, and USB SSD options are plenty fast and cheaper than adding an NVMe drive. Just plug in an external, portable SSD drive, such as the Western Digital My Passport SSD we recommend, another similar drive, or a plain SSD attached via a USB-to-SATA cable.

If you’re most concerned about storing a lot of PlayStation 4 games for later, a USB hard drive like the Toshiba Canvio Flex is your most affordable option. Load times will be only somewhat better than on the Playstation 4, and you can’t use such drives for PS5 software, but you can’t beat the price per gigabyte.

Any drives you’re already using with a Playstation 4 console should work on the Playstation 5. Plug them in, and compatible PlayStation 4 games you have installed will appear automatically and should be playable barring any required updates.

Subscriptions

Monthly retail price	Annual price	Online multiplayer access	Free games while subscribed	Stream games to console or PC
Playstation Plus Essential	10	60	Yes	Two per month	No
Playstation Plus Extra	15	100	Yes	Two per month, plus a catalog of up to 400 PlayStation 4 and PS5 games	No
Playstation Plus Premium	18	120	Yes	Two per month, plus a catalog of up to 740 games from the original Playstation, PS2, PS3, PlayStation 4, and PS5	Yes

Playstation Plus

If you’re at all interested in playing multiplayer games on the Playstation 5, a subscription to Playstation Plus remains indispensable. Last year, the PS Plus service absorbed Playstation Now, the on-demand game-subscription service. There are three membership tiers to choose from: Playstation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium. The Essential tier keeps all of the original PS benefits—online multiplayer, free monthly games, and access to the Playstation Plus Collection, which is available to PS5 owners until May. Playstation Plus Extra adds access to a catalog of PlayStation 4 and PS5 games available via download, and Playstation Plus Premium includes all of the benefits of Extra, along with downloadable access to a selection of original Playstation, PS2, and PSP games, and streaming access to a collection of PS3 titles. Currently, Plus Extra and Plus Premium subscribers can access the following PlayStation 4 and PS5 titles, though this list isn’t a complete recounting of all the games available:

First-party titles

Third-party titles

• Alienation | Housemarque, PlayStation 4
• Bloodborne | FromSoftware, PlayStation 4
• Concrete Genie | Pixelopus, PlayStation 4
• Days Gone | Bend Studio, PlayStation 4
• Dead Nation Apocalypse Edition | Housemarque, PlayStation 4
• Death Stranding and Death Stranding Director’s Cut | Kojima Productions, PlayStation 4/PS5
• Demon’s Souls | Bluepoint Games, PS5
• Destruction AllStars | Lucid Games, PS5
• Everybody’s Golf | Japan Studio, PlayStation 4
• Ghost Of Tsushima Director’s Cut | Sucker Punch, PlayStation 4/ PS5
• God of War | Santa Monica Studio, PlayStation 4
• Gravity Rush 2 | Japan Studio, PlayStation 4
• Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition | Guerrilla, PlayStation 4
• Infamous First Light | Sucker Punch, PlayStation 4
• Infamous Second Son | Sucker Punch, PlayStation 4
• Knack | Japan Studio, PlayStation 4
• LittleBigPlanet 3 | Sumo Digital, PlayStation 4
• LocoRoco Remastered | Japan Studio, PlayStation 4
• LocoRoco 2 Remastered | Japan Studio, PlayStation 4
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Game of the Year Edition | Insomniac Games, PlayStation 4
• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales | Insomniac Games, PlayStation 4/PS5
• Matterfall |Housemarque, PlayStation 4
• MediEvil | Other Ocean, PlayStation 4
• Patapon Remastered | Japan Studio, PlayStation 4
• Patapon 2 Remastered | Japan Studio, PlayStation 4
• Resogun | Housemarque, PlayStation 4
• Returnal | Housemarque, PS5
• Shadow of the Colossus | Japan Studio, PlayStation 4
• Tearaway Unfolded |Media Molecule, PlayStation 4
• The Last Guardian | Japan Studio, PlayStation 4
• The Last of Us Remastered | Naughty Dog, PlayStation 4
• Until Dawn | Supermassive Games, PlayStation 4
• Uncharted The Nathan Drake Collection | Naughty Dog, PlayStation 4
• Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End | Naughty Dog, PlayStation 4
• Uncharted: The Lost Legacy | Naughty Dog, PlayStation 4
• WipEout Omega Collection | Clever Beans Creative Vault Studios, PlayStation 4

• Ashen | Annapurna Interactive, PlayStation 4
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla | Ubisoft, PlayStation 4/PS5
• Batman: Arkham Knight | WB Games, PlayStation 4
• Celeste | Maddy Makes Games, PlayStation 4
• Cities: Skylines | Paradox Interactive, PlayStation 4
• Control: Ultimate Edition | 505 Games, PlayStation 4/PS5
• Dead Cells | Motion Twin, PlayStation 4
• Deathloop | Bethesda Softworks, PS5
• Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon: Classic Edition | Ubisoft, PlayStation 4
• Far Cry 3: Classic Edition | Ubisoft, PlayStation 4
• Far Cry 4 | Ubisoft, PlayStation 4
• Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade | Square Enix, PS5
• Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition | Square Enix Co. LTD, PlayStation 4
• For Honor | Ubisoft, PlayStation 4
• Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition | Team Cherry, PlayStation 4
• Kingdom Hearts III | Square Enix, PlayStation 4
• Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy | Square Enix Co. LTD., PlayStation 4/PS5
• Metro Exodus | Deep Silver, PlayStation 4
• Mortal Kombat 11 | WB Games, PlayStation 4/PS5
• Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 | Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., PlayStation 4
• Outer Wilds | Annapurna Interactive, PlayStation 4
• Red Dead Redemption 2 | Rockstar Games, PlayStation 4
• Resident Evil | Capcom Co., Ltd, PlayStation 4
• Soulcalibur VI | Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., PlayStation 4
• South Park: The Fractured but Whole | Ubisoft, PlayStation 4
• Stray | Annapurna Interactive, PlayStation 4/PS5
• The Artful Escape | Annapurna Interactive, PlayStation 4/PS5
• The Crew 2 | Ubisoft, PlayStation 4
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition | Bethesda Softworks, PlayStation 4/PS5
• Tom Clancy’s The Division | Ubisoft, PlayStation 4

Playstation cycles titles in and out of its services every month, so you’ll have to check official channels for the most current list of games. There are also a number of Playstation 3 titles available to Extra and Premium subscribers, though these are accessible only via streaming—this means the games in question will run remotely on a server. It also means access and performance will be dependent on your internet connection and the overall latency between your console and Playstation’s servers, so don’t expect a particularly responsive experience in faster, more action-oriented games. Sony has also stated that it won’t commit to day-of-release availability of its major games for Playstation Plus Extra or Premium the way Microsoft does on its equivalent service, Game Pass, though a limited number of games will offer trials to subscribers.

Though Playstation Plus offers access to at least two free games per month, the quality of those games is unpredictable. You can download them and enjoy them in your library for as long as you have an active subscription, but you lose access to them if you cancel your membership.

Our favorite games right now

In December, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was re-released for the newest generation of consoles. This update is free for anyone who’s owned a previous version of the game, but the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions are also available for purchase for first-time players. Although The Witcher 3 has already been considered one of the greatest games of all time on nearly every list out there since its release back in 2015, the upgraded PS5 version takes it to a new level. Not only has the game been reworked to include performance enhancements like ray tracing, higher-quality graphics, and improved frame rates, but the developers also worked with modders to fix certain annoyances and to make the game’s visuals even more beautiful.

The result is magical. We already loved The Witcher for its well-crafted story adapted from a series of fantasy novels by Andrzej Sapkowski about mutated monster slayers scorned by society, but the game’s copious cutscenes are more engrossing to watch than ever, and the grotesque monsters are almost too detailed. Certain fixes have also made the combat, which blends sword fighting mechanics with the use of magical spells, even more fun. As if The Witcher 3 wasn’t overwhelming enough with its expansive map and overabundance of side quests, brand new content from Netflix’s The Witcher series have also been added with this update.

We’re also playing the new Dead Space remake, which takes the 2008 survival horror game we loved fifteen years ago and completely overhauls the game to modern standards. Dead Space positions you as the engineer of a crew sent to investigate and repair a mining ship in space, but your vessel will quickly be invaded by alien creatures that slaughter the rest of your team—similar to the movie Alien, but way scarier to experience. I’m not sure if it’s healthy for my heart to skip as many beats as it does every time a Necromorph jumps out in front of me, but it’s all made worth it by the striking (and bloody) visuals, tense sound design, and satisfying third-person shooting that feels great on the DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers. The remake is also more than just a pretty, next-generation port—it’s a total reimagination of the original that adds voice acting to the previously voiceless main character, more side quests, and even an alternate ending. It’s phenomenal for both returning and new players alike, and it’s a must-play for fans of sci-fi or horror games.

The Quarry came out last summer, but it’s been the perfect game to play this winter with friends in place of a cozy movie night. It’s not actually a multiplayer game, but The Quarry is designed like a playable horror film that works surprisingly well for groups or couples. The game follows a group of teenage counselors on their last night of summer camp, where they are alone in the woods when spooky things start happening. There’s very little hands-on gameplay aside from some basic movement and quick-time events, and the majority of the time is spent in cutscenes with choose-your-own-adventure dialogue options. But don’t mistake the passive gameplay as boring— The Quarry is cinematically thrilling. The characters look and feel so real that it’s almost indistinguishable from a live-action movie, and the voice acting is excellent thanks to a loaded cast of stars such as David Arquette and Lance Henriksen. It doesn’t have the most original plot, but the story is delivered well, and it’s fun to decide which dialogue or actions you’ll take amongst a group. It’s also entertaining to play solo, especially if you’re a horror movie buff.

Accessibility settings for our favorite games right now

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt does not have a standalone accessibility settings tab, but the Options menu includes the following:

• A Controller Settings tab, where in-game controls can be referenced but not remapped
• On/off toggles for automatic camera centering, enemy upscaling, and assisted camera rotation in combat
• Sliders to adjust the camera distance during exploration, combat, and horseback
• An on/off toggle for color-blind friendly Witcher Senses
• An on/off toggle for the fish-eye effect
• An on/off toggle for vibration, and a slider for vibration intensity
• Adjustable font sizes for subtitles, NPC chatter, and dialogue choices
• An on/off toggle for motion blur, blur, chromatic aberration, and vignetting

Dead Space has a standalone accessibility settings menu, which includes the following:

• An on/off toggle for audio narration of the game’s menus
• Three options for color blind modes for Protanopia, Deuteranopia, and Tritanopia
• An on/off toggle to show content warnings prior to potentially disturbing scenes
• An on/off toggle to hide disturbing scenes, which covers visuals but not audio
• An on/off toggle for single press quick time events
• A press/hold toggle for sprint mode, aim mode, and map zoom mode
• An on/off toggle for aim assistance, aim assist friction, and aim assist magnetism
• A slider for aim assist magnetism duration
• An on/off toggle for menu motion
• An on/off toggle to show kinesis symbols and persistent dots on screen when aiming
• A slider for subtitle font size scaling
• An on/off toggle for subtitle capitalization
• Subtitle color options for white-on-black, or black-on-white
• A slider for subtitle background opacity
• An on/off toggle to display speaker names in subtitles
• An on/off toggle to add color to speaker names in subtitles
• An on/off toggle for camera shake
• Remappable controls, or a choice of three controller presets

The Quarry has a standalone accessibility settings menu, which includes the following:

• An on, off, or auto-succeed toggle for simple quick time events
• Adjustable timers for quick time event speeds and interactive choices
• Tap, hold, or auto-succeed options for button mashes during encounters
• An on, off, or auto-succeed toggle for aim assist
• An on/off toggle to enable the death rewind feature
• Three options for color blind modes for Protanopia, Deuteranopia, and Tritanopia

Related news

Sony has announced that the Playstation Plus Collection, a catalog of more than a dozen PlayStation 4 games such as God of War and Fallout 4, will no longer be offered after May 9, 2023. This collection has been available for Playstation 5 owners with an active PS Plus subscription of any tier, and players can still claim these games for their library before it disappears. As long as you remain a Playstation Plus member, you’ll be able to keep your access to the games you claim from this catalog even after it disappears. Instructions on how to access the Playstation Plus Collection can be found on Playstation’s website.

The new PS5-native VR headset, called the Playstation VR2, went on sale on February 22, 2023. This headset is lighter than the original and supports haptic feedback, 4K HDR, and eye tracking to follow your line of sight in games. The PSVR2 costs 550, and a bundle that includes a code for the upcoming Horizon Call of the Mountain game is also available for 600.

At CES 2023, Sony revealed a new accessibility controller kit for the Playstation 5, codenamed Project Leonardo. The kit will offer swappable components for gamers with disabilities to customize their layouts and configurations, including options for remappable buttons in different shapes and sizes, a variety of analog stick caps, and flexibility to modify the controller’s physical layout. The Project Leonardo kit can be used on its own or combined with a DualSense controller to meet the player’s needs, and it will also have four 3.5 mm auxiliary ports to support third-party accessibility accessories. It will also come with a software suite on the PS5 for players to create saved profiles and remap controls. Because Project Leonardo is still in development, Sony has yet to announce any details about pricing or availability.

Frequently asked questions

When will I be able to buy a Playstation 5 or a Playstation 5 Digital Edition?

The Playstation 5 and Playstation 5 Digital Edition were released on November 12, 2020, and have been in short supply ever since. This supply shortage is related to pandemic-induced issues and other production problems, but at CES 2023, Sony stated it believed supply constraints for the console are likely resolved, which means it should be easier to find a console in 2023.

How much does the new Playstation cost?

In the US, the Playstation 5 (with a UHD Blu-ray drive) is 500, while the Playstation 5 Digital Edition (without a disc drive) is 400.

Is the new Playstation backward compatible with older games?

The Playstation 5 is backward compatible with virtually all of the Playstation 4’s library, and some backward-compatible titles see some degree of improved performance. The following games, however, do not work with the PS5:

• Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma Volume One
• TT Isle of Man. Ride on the Edge 2
• Just Deal With It!
• Robinson: The Journey
• We Sing
• Hitman Go: Definitive Edition
• Shadwen

A number of other games, such as Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, may also exhibit visual or performance issues. Overall, this is still a comparatively small number, but it’s worth checking to see if any of your favorites are affected before getting rid of your PlayStation 4.

As Sony introduces more legacy titles via Playstation Plus Extra and Premium, Playstation owners who have previously purchased digital versions of those games should receive access to them as well without the need for a subscription. The number of games this policy would apply to is likely to be limited, however.

Does the new Playstation support 4K?

You’re going to hear a lot about 4K if you’re shopping for video games or a TV. It represents the next big step in high-definition video, with 3840×2160 pixels—four times the resolution of 1080p, which has been the standard high-def for years. Both the Playstation 5 and the Playstation 5 Digital Edition support 4K resolutions, meaning that the signal sent to your television can be up to 4K. Also, video apps like Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video can play back 4K titles (with HDR).

Does the new Playstation have UHD Blu-ray?

The Playstation 5 has a UHD Blu-ray drive, which can play back both standard Blu-rays and UHD discs. The PS5 Digital Edition does not have a disc drive, so it can’t play back Blu-ray discs.

Does the new Playstation support Dolby Vision?

The Playstation 5 does not currently support Dolby Vision content in video apps, UHD discs, or game content.

Does the new Playstation support Dolby Atmos?

For games, the Playstation 5 does not currently support Dolby Atmos 3D surround audio, nor does it support DTS:X for 3D surround. However, for Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray (4K) disc-based movie playback, the PS5 can “pass through” Atmos audio to a compatible device. It does support Dolby Digital and DTS output, and its audio hardware includes support for 3D audio for headphones using a variety of profiles.

Do I need a new HDMI cable?

The Playstation 5 ships with an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, which is required for features like 4K resolutions at 120 fps in HDR. If you attempt to use a non–HDMI 2.1 certified cable with your PS5 on an HDMI 2.1 display, you might experience problems such as a blinking black screen or even no signal at all.

Does the Playstation 5 support Wi-Fi 6?

The Playstation 5 features a gigabit LAN port and also supports the 802.11ax wireless protocol, also known as Wi-Fi 6.

Does the Playstation 5 support Bluetooth?

The Playstation 5 supports Bluetooth 5.1 for its controllers. The PS5 does not support Bluetooth audio directly, though some USB Bluetooth adapters are compatible with the console, which in turn can sync with a pair of Bluetooth headphones.

Will my old Playstation accessories work?

Playstation 4 controllers and accessories will work for Playstation 4 software played on the PS5. However, PS5-specific titles will not work with PlayStation 4 controllers like the DualShock (though racing wheels and fight sticks are expected to work with PS5 racing and fighting games, respectively). The Playstation 4’s camera peripheral—which is required for the PS VR headset—needs a special adapter for its USB cable to work on the PS5, but PS Move peripherals will function natively. Other peripherals are being handled on a case-by-case basis, so you should do a Google search for more information on any other devices you’re hoping to use.

Will my current audio receiver or speaker system work?

If your receiver or soundbar uses HDMI for audio, it should be fine with the Playstation 5. However, the PS5 lacks an optical port, which could be a problem for older soundbars or receivers. There are probably other options for your circumstances, including optical outputs on your television, eARC support for soundbars, or USB audio support for officially licensed headsets on the Playstation 5. Note that a receiver that supports HDMI 2.1 is required for features like 120 Hz and variable refresh rate, assuming you can find one that actually works for that purpose at this time.

What output formats does the Playstation 5 support?

The Playstation 5 supports output resolutions of 1080p and 4K at up to 120 Hz and can support 8K signals up to 60 Hz. We were not able to test this capability at the time we published our most recent update, and we cannot confirm that this resolution is supported at launch.

Does the Playstation 5 support a “quick resume” feature?

Although you can switch between an active PS5 or PlayStation 4 title and media applications such as Netflix, at this writing starting a second game terminates the first game’s active processes.

Does the Playstation 5 support HDMI-CEC?

The Playstation 5 supports HDMI-CEC with supported televisions and other AV equipment. Judging from our tests so far, this support includes the console’s ability to turn displays on or off or to be turned on when its respective video input is selected on supported televisions, as well as to control the volume of an attached HDMI-CEC audio device.

Will my apps still work?

The Playstation 5 has a new suite of entertainment apps covering the most popular options. These include the following, as of March 2022: Amazon Prime Video, Apple Music, Apple TV, BBC iPlayer, Crunchyroll, Disney, ESPN, Funimation, Hulu, MyCanal, Netflix, NFL Game Pass, Peacock, Plex, Spotify, Twitch, WWE Network, YouTube, and several region-specific video streaming apps.

Does the Playstation 5 support variable refresh rate?

The Playstation 5 received variable refresh rate support at the end of April 2022, with support for most HDMI 2.1 displays with a minimum framerate of 48 fps. Many games have received patches to natively support the feature, and you can also force the PS5 to apply VRR to all titles. Your results may vary, however, and you might want to Google whether your VRR-ready television model plays nicely with the PS5’s implementation of the feature. You can read more about the PS5 and VRR in this Digital Foundry article.

Can I move my Playstation 4 games and saves to a Playstation 5?

If you have a PS account on the Playstation 4, you can upload your game saves to the Playstation Network, and they will then be available when you sign in to your new Playstation 5. You can also transfer games and saves from a PlayStation 4 to a PS5 over your local network or via a USB hard drive, which is your only option if you don’t have a paid PS subscription.

How big are the Playstation 5 and Playstation 5 Digital Edition?

Playstation 5 (with UHD Blu-ray drive):

• Dimensions: 15.6 by 4.16 by 10.4 inches (WHD)
• Weight: The launch model of the PS5 weighs 9.92 pounds. The most recent version weighs 8.59 pounds.

Playstation 5 Digital Edition:

The above measurements do not account for the base attachment, which is approximately 6 inches in diameter.

Consoles That Lasted The Longest ( 6 That Lasted The Shortest)

The following list will detail consoles with the longest lifespans and those that barely started teething before being put out to pasture.

Getting into the console game is a tough business. The last company to do it and truly succeed was Microsoft with their Xbox line. Before then, Sony made its entry into the space with the Playstation and revolutionized the medium.

Most others aren’t so lucky, however, and whimper out in obscurity due to low sales and a weak hardware lineup. To celebrate both sides, the following list will detail consoles with the longest lifespans and those that barely started teething before being put out to pasture. The latter consoles were not necessarily bad, but poor marketing decisions and other factors contributed to their downfalls.

Updated December 3, 2022 by Jason Wojnar: Making a bad game is one thing, but having an entirely failed console generation is a particular blight on a company’s reputation. Just as one example, people will always point out the Wii U and the Virtual Boy to poke fun at Nintendo despite all their success and contributions to developing gaming as a medium.

This list likes to keep things fair, though, so it is necessary to update it and add a couple of more consoles, including a massively successful piece of Nintendo hardware. Ironically enough, some of these failed consoles are more valuable now and highly sought after by collectors precisely because they lasted so few years. It does not make the games any more fun to play, though.

Longest: Playstation 2 (2000. 2013)

Everybody who owned one has nothing but fond memories of the PS2. Its lineup started strong in the first couple of years with titles like TimeSplitters, Metal Gear Solid 2, and Silent Hill 2, and maintained a steady trajectory with later releases like God of War and Shadow of Colossus.

Its price cut, later on, continued its relevance even after the PS3 launched, finally being discontinued in 2013, the same year the PlayStation 4 launched. Many of its best games have been ported to modern consoles, ensuring its greatest software lives on.

Shortest: Playstation TV (2013. 2016)

Playstation TV was basically a Playstation Vita hooked up to the living room setup. Unfortunately, some titles were incompatible, as several features from the Vita only worked when on the go.

The base console wasn’t a magnificent success, so one should not have expected an offshoot to fare any better. In Japan, the micro-console lasted from 2013 to 2016, while in the United States and Europe it stayed on the shelves only from 2014 to 2015. With this lifespan, it’s a surprise anybody in those territories remembers it at all.

Longest: Game Boy (1989. 2003)

The Game Boy was not the strongest handheld on the market, but Nintendo understood the perfect compromise between power, convenience, and price. At 89, it was one of the cheapest handhelds on the market. It launched with Tetris packaged in, and later titles like Pokemon Red and Blue ensured its staying power for many years.

Few handhelds last even half as long these days, but the Game Boy’s audience expanded far beyond the typical gaming demographic, giving it astronomical sales numbers. Even though the games are extremely simple by today’s standards, there are some titles that hold up well today, like Pokemon, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, and Final Fantasy Adventure.

Shortest: ColecoVision (1982. 1985)

The gaming market was a totally different beast in the days before the NES hit western shores. Atari dominated the scene and several consoles came and went in a short span. ColecoVision tried to take on the Atari beast but came a little too late.

It had a strong start and was beating out its competitor, the Atari 5200, but the 1983 video game crash caused the company, Coleco, to back out of the industry altogether, ultimately discontinuing the console in 1985.

Longest: Nintendo Wii (2006. 2020)

The Nintendo Wii had an incredibly impressive launch, attributed to its low price point, accessibility, and family-friendly launch lineup. However, it did not maintain momentum throughout its life and was discontinued in 2013, a perfectly respectable console lifespan.

The story of the Nintendo Wii does not end here, though. The console continued to receive support from publishers and studios for years afterward. Most notably, Just Dance 2020 was released on the console. The Wii still maintained popularity in hospitals and nursing homes, and games like this are perfect for the residents there. The Nintendo Switch was three years old by the time the last games came out on the Wii in 2020.

Shortest: Nokia N-Gage (2003. 2006)

In the time before smartphones reached a universal design standard thanks to the iPhone, many companies were trying their hand at revolutionizing the mobile market. Nokia put a lot of faith behind the N-Gage and pushed it hard with marketing and a lineup of games from popular IPs like Tomb Raider and Red Faction.

The device itself looks more like a console than a phone, but it did not hit all the marks to be a comfortable gaming device. The screen was small, the games played poorly, and the buttons did not feel comfortable to press. After just three years the system was discontinued and became a punchline for many gamers.

Longest: Atari 2600 (1977. 1992)

Before the video game crash of 1983, Atari was king of the video game industry. Other consoles made notable entries into the market, but the 2600 had the largest library and the brand became synonymous with video game goodness. After the NES rejuvenated the market, Atari hung in there as the budget alternative to Nintendo’s cutting-edge hardware.

Games like Pitfall, Kaboom, and River Raid gave kids endless hours of fun. After the crash, there was still demand for new games, even if it was not the hot new item anymore. Its two successors, Atari 5200 and 7800, couldn’t come close to the original’s victories in the market and ended up being discontinued before the 2600 finished its impressive fifteen-year lifespan.

Shortest: Dreamcast (1999. 2001)

Sega’s last effort into the console space crashed and burned after just two years despite its impressive capabilities and a legendary lineup of games including Shenmue, Resident Evil: Code Veronica, and Soul Caliber. It also had the ability to surf the Internet, years before any other home console let owners browse the World Wide Web

While a technically impressive machine, the PS2 came out shortly after its launch and ate its lunch in every way possible. While it was sad to see it go so early, its best games have since been re-released on modern consoles. Still, there’s something special about being able to play these titles on the original hardware, even if the controller design was slightly awkward.

Longest: NES (1983. 2003)

The NES and its lineup revolutionized the medium. Just a couple of years prior to its release in the west, gaming was in a low spot, and most considered its heyday to have long since passed.

When it hit North America and people got their hands on now-legendary games like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, gaming proved it was here to stay. Even after the SNES and N64 brought new advancements to the medium, the NES stayed alive until 2003. A surprising amount of its library still holds up today.

Shortest: Gizmondo (2005. 2006)

Before the age of smartphones, numerous handheld platforms came out touting multimedia services. Of them, only the PSP got off the ground, and more for its brand recognition and library than its ability to play music and video.

The N-Gage was a famous failure, but Gizmondo crashed so hard, few remember the name. It was said to have moved less than twenty-five thousand units, an impressively small number. We feel it should win some sort of reward for that alone. Just looking at the design, it looks more like a Tiger Electronics toy than an honest handheld gaming device.

Longest: Master System (1986. Present)

Sega’s Master System doesn’t have the same recognition as its successor, Sega Genesis, but it has the distinction of being the longest-living system ever made. Its library lacks the company’s trademark mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog, but the influential RPG franchise Phantasy Star got its start on Sega’s premiere console.

Its apparent immortality is attributed to the continued production in Brazil, where it still manages to move units on an annual basis.

Shortest: Virtual Boy (1995. 1995)

Nintendo often touts the Game Boy Color as the Game Boy’s successor, but they had another handheld platform beforehand. The Virtual Boy was technically a portable console, even though one had to rest the device on a table and look through a view piece to achieve the advertised 3D effect. It didn’t work well, unfortunately, and even gave some gamers headaches.

The man behind it, Gunpei Yokoi, designed the Game Boy and produced several Metroid games beforehand, but Virtual Boy turned out to be a dud, ending production in the same year it started. Yokoi would tragically pass away just two years later in a traffic accident.

How to connect PS5 controller to PlayStation 4: Two working methods

Force the DualSense to play nice with an older console.

If you’re the proud owner of both a PS5 and a PlayStation 4, you might’ve wondered if you can use that shiny new PS5 controller with your trusty old PlayStation 4 console.

In official terms, Sony’s FAQ page states: “The DualSense wireless controller is not compatible with the PlayStation 4 console.” If you try to plug in a Playstation 5 controller to the USB port on your Playstation 4 console, you’ll notice that it doesn’t work (although it might charge up).

Despite that, gamers around the globe have found a number of ways to work around the official rules and get the PS5 controller working on a PlayStation 4 console. Keep on reading and we’ll tell you how it’s done!

How to connect PS5 controller to PlayStation 4

One way of using your PS5 controller to play the games on your PlayStation 4 is by using the Remote Play app. You’ll need to have access to your PS5 or a PC/laptop, as well as your PlayStation 4, if you want to make this work.

The steps you’ll need to follow are:

• Connect your PS5 controller to the PS5, PC or laptop you’re planning to use
• Open the Remote Play app on your PS5, PC or laptop
• Use the Remote Play app to take control of your PlayStation 4

You can now use your PS5 controller to control the games on your PlayStation 4, with the Cloud-based capabilities of the Remote Play app allowing you to bridge the gap between console generations. If you’re struggling to make any of that work, this video should help!

Read more on Playstation:

• The very best PS5 games
• What is PS Plus? Price and perks explained
• Can you play PlayStation 4 games on PS5?
• PS5 controller charger. best ways to charge your DualSense
• PS Plus free games. full list and when the next ones come out

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Can I pair my PS5 controller to PlayStation 4 with Bluetooth?

If you want to cut out the Cloud-based middle man and connect your PS5 controller to your PlayStation 4 using Bluetooth, you’ll need to add a different sort of middle man into the mix.

The PS5 controller and the PlayStation 4 console do not naturally work together, but there are adapters on the market that can force them to play nice with each other.

In the video below, you can see a player using the Titan Two adapter to make the connection work. This adapter has a product page on Amazon, but it looks to be low on stock at the moment, so you might have to stick with the Remote Play method for the time being.

Latest deals

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Where to buy a PS5 in Australia: the best outlets and sweetest deals for May 2023

PS5 is no longer tough to get, but we’re here to show you where to look for deals.

Good news: the world of waiting patiently (or otherwise) for PS5 restocks might be over! For most of 2023 it’s been extremely easy to pick up a PS5 console or bundle in Australia, whether you’re after the standalone disc or digital version, or the popular God of War Ragnarok bundle. That means there’s never been a better time to sail through checkout, and we’re showing you exactly where to head first.

While it’s never been so easy to buy a PS5, you should expect to pay more than the launch price: The RRP for the PS5 in Australia has risen from AU749 to AU799 for the disc model, and from AU599.95 to AU649.95 for the digital model. If you’ve not yet got a PS5, the bad news is you’re going to have to fork out more cash for it than you would have last year. Inflation bites, but on the bright side, at least you don’t need to queue for them anymore. On the even brighter side, we’re finding more and more steep discounts on PS5 consoles, especially on the bundles, which can sometimes be grabbed for cheaper than the standalone RRP.

If you want a console right now: all relevant retailers are listed below.

What’s the best PS5 deal in Australia right now?

PS5 God of War Ragnarok bundle | AU904.95 AU723.79 at Amazon Amazon currently has a good deals on the popular God of War bundle, which rarely goes this cheap, ie, cheaper than a standalone console’s RRP. Could things get cheaper than this during EOFY and the inevitable Prime Day extravaganza?

• Looking for great on PS5, PlayStation 4, Xbox and Nintendo Switch consoles and games? Check out our regularly updated page collectingthe best gaming deals in Australia.

• PS5 (AU799.95):Amazon|JB Hi-Fi
• PS5 Digital Edition (AU649.95):Amazon|JB Hi-Fi

Australian PS5 stockists

Amazon AU [In stock: God of War Ragnarok bundle for AU698, or standalone for AU797] As far as online outlets are concerned, Amazon reliably has PS5 stock, and it tends to be a little beneath the RRP most of the time, if only by a couple of bucks. The current price for the Ragnarok bundle is only two dollars more than the console without the game, and is thus an obvious choice at the moment (unless you really, really hate Kratos).

Big W [In stock: AU798 online; check in-store] This big Aussie retailer receives stock quite often, but it generally only lasts for a minute or so. That means you’ll have to be quick off the mark. Sometimes Big W orders are delivery only affairs.

The Gamesmen Aussie independent games retailer The Gamesmen gets PS5 stock, so it’s another outlet you should keep an eye on: If we get news on stock drops we’ll add them to the top of this page.

Sony Online [In stock as of March 2023] Buying a PS5 direct from the source seems like a no-brainer: it also offers free shipping. At the moment, Sony only has the God of War Ragnarok PS5 bundle, which is mostly true for other retailers too. If you want the game, that’s great; if you don’t want the game, soz.

JB Hi-Fi [God of War Ragnarok bundle in-stock for AU819] JB Hi-Fi get stock regularly, and while keeping a watch on the website linked above is a surefire way to stay in the game, it’s also worth lodging interest with your local outlet to see if you can get on a waiting list.

EB Games [God of War Ragnarok bundle in-stock for AU834.95] EB Games don’t get online stock very often, as it seems they preference waiting lists attached to individual stores. It’s still worth keeping on eye on their website, but you should also lodge your interest with a nearby outlet.

PS5 accessory deals in Australia

Look: it may be a while before you get your hands on a PS5, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare in advance. The best PS5 accessories, including the DualSense controller and HD camera, are really easy to get, though the Pulse 3D headset has been sold out for a while now: watch this space for updates. There are plenty of other quality audio options though over on our PS5 headsets guide. We’ve got the best visual experiences covered too with our best TV for PS5 and best PS5 monitor guides.