It’s been two years since the PS5 launched, and as we’ve discussed, a lot has changed. But for anyone trying to get the big and quite expensive gaming console, I think now is the best time to do so.
I was lucky enough to get an early PS5 for review purposes, and those who managed to get a PS5 restock in 2020 or early 2021 also had a chance to enjoy themselves as next-gen early adopters. However, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, there weren’t a huge amount of games to launch the PS5 on. The same was true of Xbox Series X, but which at least had tweaked versions of the best Xbox One games to draw from.
As much as I liked the PS5, I wasn’t convinced I had to rush out and get one. But recently, my opinion has changed.
PS5: getting stronger
(Image credit: Future)
Last year we had the likes of Returnal and Deathloop to offer as PS5 console exclusives, but it wasn’t until this year that I felt things really ramped up. We got Horizon Forbidden West early on, which is also a PS4 game but looks and plays better on a PS5. Then came Gran Turismo 7, an excellent car simulation game perhaps just overshadowed by the more accessible Forza Horizon 5.
This month we have God of War Ragnarök, which is a stellar follow-up to 2018’s God of War reboot. It’s another cross-generational game, but you should play it on a PS5, also thanks to the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and great audio from the controller. Pulse 3D wireless headset.
Add the likes of Elden Ring into the mix, my favorite game of 2022, and you have a compelling lineup of first- and third-party games. And thanks to Black Friday deals, you can find some of these PS5 blockbusters on sale, like Demon’s Souls for $29 (opens in new tab) and the PS5 rework of The Last of Us Part 1 for $49 at Amazon (opens in a new tab) (£44 in the UK from Amazon (opens in a new tab)).
Speaking of deals for PS5, Pulse 3D wireless headphones and the DualSense controller are also available at discounted prices. And the ever-ahead march of technology means you can get a 1TB PCI 4.0 SSD at a healthy discount. This is something I did in a Black Friday deal and upgraded my PS5 storage for £99. If I’d tried it a year ago, I would have paid quite a bit more, even in the midst of the seasonal sales .
While the PS5 itself may not have had price drops, you can avoid paying the $70 premium on some games. You can also get excellent accessories for less.
PS5 and OLED TV: a perfect combination
(Image credit: Future)
Once you have a PS5, a Pulse 3D wireless headset, and a storage boost, you can look into other ways to enhance your PS5 gaming experience. My recommendation is an OLED TV.
I got the LG C1 OLED in a Black Friday deal last year and was blown away by the difference an OLED panel makes, even to a good 4K LCD TV. Blacks, colors and contrast are all much better, with effects such as realistic candle flames popping up in the background in dark scenes. As I discussed earlier, God of War Ragnarök looks excellent on an OLED TV. But if you want a break from gaming, TV shows like Andor are also great.
But the LG C1 OLED is essentially discontinued, having been replaced by the LG C2 OLED. That’s not a bad thing, as the new TV also has a great suite of gaming features, including a rare 120Hz refresh and support for VRR (variable refresh rate), both of which work well with God of War. Ragnarok.
To sweeten things further, the LG C2 OLED is currently on sale at a variety of retailers. I’d suggest going with the 55-inch model, as I have that size on the C1 and it’s great for my small living room. Check out the deal boxes below, as these LG C2 OLED TV deals are the ones I highly recommend for a PS5.
Of course, suggesting that you go out and spend the big bucks on an OLED TV might not be easy in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. But even if you skip it and miss some of these sales (I’m sure more to come and Tom’s Guide will point them out), now is still a great time to get a PS5.
Not only are all of the above reasons still valid, but Sony has also taken the time to iron out any kinks in the PS5 and roll out new features. PlayStation Plus has also undergone an overhaul, with new membership tiers offering more games to try. You can also stream old PlayStation games.
In short, the PS5 has more games, more performance and better accessories than at launch. And since 2023 should bring more PS5-only games that really tap into the powerful hardware, I think you can now go out and buy a PS5 without worrying about buyer’s remorse.
