The Best Console Yet
By Nicole Tringali
I’ve been a gamer for as long as I can remember. I’ve owned every PlayStation since the PS1, and while each generation has brought its own magic, nothing – absolutely nothing – could have prepared me for the leap to the PlayStation 5.
If you’re on the fence about upgrading, let me tell you right now: the PS5 is hands-down the best gaming console I’ve ever owned. Here’s why…
The PlayStation 5 isn’t just a gaming console; it’s an experience. From the first moment I booted it up, I could tell this was a different beast. The lightning-fast load times, the immersive haptic feedback, the jaw-dropping visuals – this machine redefines what it means to play video games. And as someone who spends way too many late nights chasing high scores and completing open-world adventures, I can confidently say that the PS5 delivers on every level.
A Little Bit About Me … And How the PS5 Blew My Mind
I’ve always loved gaming, but over the years, I found myself getting frustrated with long load times, clunky interfaces, and games that felt like slightly shinier versions of what came before. Don’t get me wrong – I adored my PS4, but I wasn’t expecting the PS5 to make such a difference.
The moment I powered it on, though? Game-changer (literally).
First, let’s talk about speed. Gone are the days of waiting two minutes for a game to load – on the PS5, everything happens instantly. Fast travel in Spider-Man: Miles Morales is exactly that – fast. I selected a new location, and within three seconds, Miles was already swinging through the city. No loading screens, no waiting – just seamless gameplay. It was so fast I almost didn’t believe it.
And then there’s the DualSense controller. I knew it had haptic feedback, but I wasn’t ready for how insanely immersive it would be. Playing Borderlands 3, I could feel the distinct recoil of different guns, from the satisfying punch of a shotgun to the rapid-fire vibration of an SMG. Running across different terrain, I felt every impact – metal grates, rocky cliffs, and the weirdly squishy alien ground of Pandora. It’s something you don’t fully appreciate until you experience it. And now, I can’t imagine gaming without it.
How the PS5 Took My Gaming Obession to the Next Level
I’ll be honest – I’m a sucker for a good story-driven game, and the PS5 delivers in ways I never thought possible. This next-generation experience takes my PS4 games to all new heights. Here are a few games I played on the PS5 that completely blew me away:
:: Spider-Man: Miles Morales – Swinging through New York has never felt so fluid, so alive. The ray-tracing reflections in the skyscraper windows? Unreal.
:: Demon’s Souls – This game isn’t just a remake; it’s a whole new experience. The lighting, the sound, the atmosphere – every fight feels like a cinematic masterpiece.
:: God of War: Ragnarok – I thought the 2018 God of War was peak Kratos, but this sequel proved me wrong. The visuals? Stunning. The combat? Brutal. The story? So much fun. The experience? Absolute perfection.
:: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart – If you want to see what the PS5 can really do, this is the game to play. Seamless world-hopping with zero loading screens!
:: Borderlands 3 – I’ve always loved the Borderlands series. I started playing on my PS4, but on the PS5, it’s on a whole new level. The game runs at a buttery-smooth 60fps, the explosions are bigger, the environments more detailed, and the mayhem? Yassss, absolute chaos in the best way possible. Plus, with the DualSense triggers, every weapon feels unique – something that totally elevates the gaming experience. You feel like you’re in the game, right in the middle of the action (sans-bullets flying at your face).
And let’s not forget backwards compatibility! Almost all my PS4 games work on the PS5, and many of them look and run even better. I replayed The Last of Us Part II at 60fps, and it felt like a brand-new game.
PS5 vs. PS4: Top 5 Reasons Why the Upgrade is Worth It
Look, I loved my PS4. I still use it to stream DVDs in my spare room. But after spending time with the PS5, I can’t go back to gaming on the older console. Here’s why:
:: Lightning-Fast Load Times
Thanks to the solid-state drive (SSD), games load in seconds. Gone are the frustrating moments when you’d sit staring at loading screens or getting stuck in transitions, counting down the seconds before diving back into your adventure. The PS5 renders with precision, allowing an immediate jump into the action.
:: The DualSense Controller’s Haptic Feedback
The DualSense is more than just a controller – it’s an innovation that changes the way you interact with games. The haptic feedback lets you feel every action in stunning detail. Whether it’s the tension of drawing a bowstring or the subtle resistance of a trigger in a shooter, the DualSense enhances immersion in ways I never imagined. Running through different terrains or engaging in combat, every action is met with a precise tactile response that makes the gaming world feel more real than ever.
:: Stunning 4K Graphics with Ray Tracing
If you have a 4K TV, the PS5’s visuals will blow you away. From the smallest details, like the reflections on puddles, to the grand landscapes, every inch of the game world pops with vibrant color and meticulous texture. This is what gaming should look like. The way light bounces off surfaces or how shadows stretch and shift adds depth to the visuals that just wasn’t possible before. Combine that with the PS5’s ability to run at 60fps, and you’ve got an experience that’s as smooth as it is visually stunning. You’ll find yourself pausing, not to take a break, but to just admire the breathtaking world around you.
:: Backwards Compatibility Means a Massive Game Library
I didn’t have to leave my PS4 games behind (which is an awesome feature because games aren’t cheap). I’d spent years building up an impressive library of PS4 games, so the PS5 backwards compatibility was a dream come true. Games run smoother, look better, and even load faster on the PS5. So you’re essentially playing remastered versions without the need to buy them again.
:: 3D Audio That Puts You in the Game
The PS5’s Tempest 3D Audio creates a new sense of immersion. It’s not just about hearing sounds, it’s about feeling like I’m inside the game. It’s especially impactful using my high-definition headphones. I’ll hear sounds above, below, and all around you with incredible clarity. Whether I’m creeping through a horror game or dodging bullets in a shooter, the PS5’s Tempest 3D Audio makes every sound feel real. Playing Resident Evil Village with headphones? Terrifying by the way.
:: The Older PS4 Console Is Losing Support
Want to play the newest, hottest game? Chances are it won’t be released for the older PS4. The greatest, newest games are being developed to capitalize on the PS5’s superior capabilities. So the future in gaming belongs to the PS5.
My Final Rating: 5/5 Stars
An absolute knockout! The PS5 doesn’t just refine gaming … it reinvents it. The seamless experience, revolutionary controller, and jow-dropping visuals make it a must-have! I give it a perfect score and can confidently say, if you want an exhilarating, mind-blowing, fully immersive experience, the PS5 is the console for you!
