PlayStation 5, questions

PlayStation 5, questions

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8bit

Original Poster:

5,049 posts

164 months

Tuesday 29th October 2024
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Our kids have expressed an interest in getting a Playstation as now some of their mates have one and they'd like to be able to join in. Initially the ask was for a PS4 but given the 5 has been out for several years now I'm not sure we'd still get one without buying used? I can't imagine there are still any new games being released for the 4 either? If they got a 5, will that be backward compatible, not just for the games but could they play online on the same games with friends who still have a PS4?

Looking at the different versions, I don't think we can justify the Pro based on cost, plus the TV they will be using isn't 4K, just regular 1080p (and they wouldn't appreciate the benefits anyway probably). Having the optical drive would be handy to double as a DVD player for them, assuming it can do that? Regards games, is not having the optical drive much of a drawback?

Finally, looking forward - with the PS5 being several years old now, are we likely to see the 6 coming out any time soon?

papa3

1,473 posts

196 months

Tuesday 29th October 2024
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PS5 is backward compatible with many PS4 games. The online subscription required to play online includes free monthly games and access to selected "Classic" titles depending on subscription level. £100-£150 per year.

Some current titles are still released as PS4 compatible but the 4 is showing its age now and struggles to keep up with modern titles.

PS6 likely 3-4 years away as Pro just released.

PS5 new from £350. PS pro £700 for a marginally faster machine.


parabolica

6,832 posts

193 months

Tuesday 29th October 2024
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All good info from papa3. How old are the kids or what games are they looking to play? The PS4 is still a worthy machine if they are quite young and playing non-demanding games. If they are wanting to play new releases, I would go for the cheapest, new PS5 disc-edition you can find.

Don't be tempted by the Gen 1 PS5s found in CEX and GAME; gen 1 had notable issues with the ports - easily broken power, HDMI and USB ports; but the gen 2 that has been out for a year or so now seems much more robust. Also slightly smaller dimension-wise, which is a good thing as the gen 1 was a chunky boy.

limpsfield

6,228 posts

262 months

Tuesday 29th October 2024
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I would like to play Gran Turismo again, haven't done it for more than 10 years I think.

So, I was thinking about a PS5 slim digital which is about £340 at Argos.

Will this do the job? I may play the odd other game but mainly fancy having the opportunity to play that a few evenigns over winter.

papa3

1,473 posts

196 months

Tuesday 29th October 2024
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limpsfield said:
I would like to play Gran Turismo again, haven't done it for more than 10 years I think.

So, I was thinking about a PS5 slim digital which is about £340 at Argos.

Will this do the job? I may play the odd other game but mainly fancy having the opportunity to play that a few evenigns over winter.
Yes, though the disc edition can save you £££ on games. The AAA titles dont really drop in price as they age on the PS Store but can be picked up for a few quid at supermarkets/CEX et al.

limpsfield

6,228 posts

262 months

Tuesday 29th October 2024
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papa3 said:
limpsfield said:
I would like to play Gran Turismo again, haven't done it for more than 10 years I think.

So, I was thinking about a PS5 slim digital which is about £340 at Argos.

Will this do the job? I may play the odd other game but mainly fancy having the opportunity to play that a few evenigns over winter.
Yes, though the disc edition can save you £££ on games. The AAA titles dont really drop in price as they age on the PS Store but can be picked up for a few quid at supermarkets/CEX et al.
Perfect, thanks for the reply

jako1

132 posts

95 months

Wednesday 30th October 2024
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parabolica said:
All good info from papa3. How old are the kids or what games are they looking to play? The PS4 is still a worthy machine if they are quite young and playing non-demanding games. If they are wanting to play new releases, I would go for the cheapest, new PS5 disc-edition you can find.

Don't be tempted by the Gen 1 PS5s found in CEX and GAME; gen 1 had notable issues with the ports - easily broken power, HDMI and USB ports; but the gen 2 that has been out for a year or so now seems much more robust. Also slightly smaller dimension-wise, which is a good thing as the gen 1 was a chunky boy.
I'm also looking to buy. By gen 2 do you mean the slim version? Or is there a version between the 2? Thanks

8bit

Original Poster:

5,049 posts

164 months

Wednesday 30th October 2024
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Thanks for all the input, much appreciated.

So the "online subscription" for £100-£150 per year - that's required to play anything online at all, regardless of the game(s) in question?

MCBrowncoat

1,125 posts

155 months

Wednesday 30th October 2024
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It might - and it might not, I'd definitely keep an eye on whether you truly would be getting a good deal - be worth waiting to see what deals are around Black Friday

siandcian

45 posts

186 months

Thursday 31st October 2024
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Hi. I brought a ps5 slim back in April and love it. Play gran turismo currently. I got the disk version from currys. I previously had an xbox one and played it very little but the ps5 is on most days. My 9year old son has an xbox x and he also loves that. As recommended tho pay slightly more for the disk version as cex etc sell the games alot cheaper than playstion store.

Crafty_

13,563 posts

209 months

Thursday 31st October 2024
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I'd echo the disk version suggestion.

Probably worth looking here to understand what restrictions you can put on the kids accont https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/parental-control...

Would suggest you have your own account and the kids have their own / shared between them. If you buy the PSN subscription for yours they will get access, so you don't need to buy 2 subscriptions.

The PSN subscription has 3 tiers now, I forget all the details - the lowest one gives you 3 games a month for free, the other tiers provide temporary use of games for a given period, so it might give them something to play without you having to pay for a game.

Be aware that if you link a credit card to your account it switches on auto renew on the subscription by default.
Playstation will ban your account if you do a card charge back - "my kid bought something by mistake" won't wash.
What I'd suggest is don't link your credit card at all, buy the gift cards to top up your balance, you can buy these (sometimes at a small discount) online so easy to top up when needed.

Games do push in game purchases for "skins" (for example different clothing for a character) so its easy for kids to be tempted to buy stuff.

fourstardan

5,218 posts

153 months

Thursday 31st October 2024
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I have a PS4 at the moment, my son is 4 and knows what it is, but tbh, the thing has no subscription to play online.

PS5 is tempting but just so blddy expensive I think now with the full subscription, extra controller.

Xbox looks more appealing now as I have no PC to play Flight Sim, but no decent Gran Turismo alternative.