Family Buying Guide For PlayStation 5

By

16/10/2020

With the PlayStation 5 bringing a new level of gaming to the home, here's the advice you need to make an informed choice about the new console.

Firstly, you need to consider whether you need to upgrade to PlayStation 5 straight away. This comes down to how keen you are to access the latest games in their most impressive form.

The new system not only offers vastly improved visuals and sound but also much faster loading times which can be handy in a family. Also, the new DualSense controller offers more immersive features. Then there is the generally improved system and parental settings.

The new PlayStation 5 system also offers features that will help families:

In-game help if you get stuck offering video and screenshots that guide you while you play.
Guidance on how long you have left to finish a particular level of a game or how long a new level might take.
Expanded parties to enable you to curate games with people you know in more ways than just voice chat.

Launch Day Games

The games available on the launch day offer a wide range of experiences for all ages. As new consoles are often purchased by avid game fans there are a fair few games for older players. However, there are also some brilliant new games for families as well:

Astro’s Playroom (PEGI 7)
Destruction AllStars (PEGI 12)
The Pathless (PEGI 7)
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (PEGI 16)
Sackboy A Big Adventure (PEGI 7)
Fortnite (PEGI 12)
Just Dance 2021 (PEGI 3)
Dirt 5 (PEGI 3)
FIFA 21 (PEGI 3)

Launch Window Games

PlayStation Plus Collection

This service is enhanced on PlayStation 5 so you can play a collection of PS4 games on your PS5 for free if you are subscribed. This includes the following family-friendly games:

The Last Guardian (PEGI 12)
Ratchet and Clank (PEGI 7)

It's also worth noting that some of the upcoming PlayStation 5 games will be available on the PlayStation 4 as well. These cross-over titles will enable you to upgrade to PlayStation 5 with your progress when you are ready.

Identifying which games your children most want to play is an important driver to your purchasing choice. You can review the PlayStation, Xbox and Switch Exclusives list to help this decision.

Peripherals

As well as the console itself, it's important to consider what new peripherals you will need for your family to play the games. This may include additional controllers, to the one that comes in the box, as well as charging stations and headsets.

The official peripherals include:

DualSense Controller - for additional players.
Controller Charging Station - to keep controllers ready to play.
HD Camera - for motion-controlled games.
Media Remote - for easier media controls.
Pulse Headset - for online communication and enhanced audio.

Although you will need new controllers to play the latest games on PlayStation 5, you can still play many of your PlayStation 4 games on the new console with your existing controllers.

Upgrade Path

It's worth noting that if you hold off, some PS4 digital games will offer free upgrade to the PS5 version.

Also, more generally, the PlayStation 5 is backwards compatible with the majority of PS4 games. Both physical discs and digital version you have on PlayStation 4 will most likely work on the next-gen system. This means you need to use the same PSN account on PS5

Date and Price

The PlayStation 5 will launch in the UK on the 19th November with two models:

PS5 Digital Edition £359.99.
PS5 with an Ultra HD Blu-ray drive £449.99.

Unlike the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, both these versions of the PlayStation 5 have the same graphical capability and play games identically. Of course, the digital version means you can't access disc based games. If you have a large library of PS4 disc games you want to continue playing in your family this is an important consideration.