Got or giving a PS5 for Christmas? Here’s our 2023 guide.

Strap yourself in -- you're in for a wild ride.

If you’re here, it’s likely because you’ve been gifted (or you’re gifting) a PS5 and/or PlayStation VR2 for Christmas. First off, congratulations! Second, we’re here to help you get the most from your new pressie.

(And a reminder to those giving the console as a gift: it’s not a bad idea to open the console and set it up before hand, installing all updates prior to repackaging it, wrapping it and putting it under the tree!)

The console

Technically, there are two types of PlayStation 5 consoles available: the smaller, disc-less PS5 Digital Edition and the larger PS5 that comes complete with a disc drive. Users can now insert a compatible SSD into the PS5 to expand storage; read more on that here.

Apart from the disc drive (or lack of disc drive), the PS5s are exactly the same can can run current games at up to 4K and 120 FPS. The consoles use HDMI to connect to your TV or monitor; the cable included with your console is capable of the HDMI 2.1 standard (which can support up to 4K and 120 FPS), but you’ll need to check if your TV supports that as well. We know for sure that the LG CX range is a good choice, and the slightly older C9 and B9 range works as well (but for more on that, head here).

The PS5 makes use of a new controller called the DualSense. It’s biggest features are haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. A pack-in game called Astro’s Playroom shows off the controller’s new features exceptionally well.

Unlike the Xbox Series S & X and its predecessor the Xbox One, the PS5 features a UI that’s quite different than that of the PS4. We’ve got you covered with the biggest differences thanks to a series of helpful guides as follows:

Interface and console-specific features

To get the most of your console, you’ll need to connect it to internet and sign-up for a PlayStation Network account. Doing so will give you access to the PlayStation Store (and its games and apps) and other goodies like Trophies. You can upgrade to a PlayStation Plus account to gain access to multiplayer play, free games each month and cloud-based saves; more on that in a second though.

Popular apps include Netflix, Stan, Kayo, Binge and many more. You can also stream television and movies from Sony’s in-built service.

PlayStation Plus

Sony’s now offering a three-tiered PlayStation Plus subscription program that provides different levels of access to users. Pricing of PlayStation Plus was increased in September of this year.

The base level, PlayStation Plus Essentials, offers multiplayer play, a handful of free games each month and the ability to access cloud-based saves. Regular pricing for this tier is $95.95 AUD for one year.

PlayStation Plus Extra offers the benefits of Essentials alongside a catalog of “up to 400” PS4 and PS5 games. As Sony has pointed out, you won’t get first-party games on day one via PlayStation Plus. Pricing for this tier is $165.95 AUD for 1 year.

Finally, PlayStation Plus Deluxe is Australia’s highest tier, offering PSone and PS2 games alongside the benefits of Extra and Essentials. It doesn’t include cloud-streamed PS3 games, though that’s on offer in other regions via the Premium tier. In Australia, Deluxe is priced at $196.95 AUD for 1 year.

Learn even more about the tiers here.

Moreover, PS5 owners with PlayStation Plus also gain access to the PlayStation Plus Collection, a series of PS4 games that are playable on PS5.

PlayStation VR and PlayStation VR2

The PS4 and PS5 both support virtual reality play. Both consoles support the older PlayStation VR device, though the PS5 requires a special adapter to use PlayStation VR. The new hotness, of course, is the PlayStation VR2 peripheral, only compatible on PS5.

If you’re using an original PSVR unit, a PlayStation Camera is required, and two PlayStation Move controllers are recommended to get the full experience. You can also use the PlayStation Camera to control your console via voice commands or as a motion controller for myriad titles.

The PlayStation VR2 was released earlier this year, and sadly, first-party support of the unit isn’t that great… especially considering the device is priced at a whopping $879.95 AUD — and that’s without a game!

Games

The disc-enabled PS5 plays PS4 and PS5 discs, and it — alongside the PS5 Digital Edition — plays PS4 and PS5 and digital games. A new Slim model PS5 comes with an attachable disc drive that also can play discs if needed.

Sony’s PlayStation Plus program also provides free titles each month.

Additionally, here are links to the biggest PS4 and PS5 exclusive titles of the last few years:

Enjoy your new hardware!

This article first appeared in December 2019 and was refreshed for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

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