PlayStation 5 Review Roundup

The PlayStation 5 is almost here, dropping on November 12 in most regions and November 19 worldwide. Sony's next-gen console landed in the hands of critics ahead of its global release, so those eager to know what PS5 has to offer may be curious about what reviewers think. We've compiled review excerpts below to give you an idea of the PlayStation 5's consensus.

The general feeling around the PlayStation 5 so far is that it's massive, taking up a large portion of your entertainment system when compared to the original PlayStation 4 and beefer PlayStation 4 Pro. But while the console's form factor is intimidating, the futuristic design is striking, making the PlayStation 5 quite the conversation starter when standing next to a TV.

While it's a beefcake of a console in terms of sheer aesthetics and size, the PlayStation 5 is a serious powerhouse. It's not as powerful as the Xbox Series X, but Sony's next-gen console packs enough horsepower to make gaming speedy and gorgeous. The blistering-fast SSD allows for quick loading into games and reduces the time it takes for fast traveling in titles like Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Meanwhile, the DualSense controller--the single piece of hardware most critics were left impressed by--brings a new level of immersion to gaming.

Read on to learn what else critics think about the PlayStation 5. And hit up our PlayStation 5 preorder guide to find out where to get one on launch day.

GameSpot - Unscored

"Of course, the PS5 can't survive on its backwards-compatible games alone, and all consoles ultimately come down to the quality of their dedicated libraries. Beyond that, many of the console's best features, such as the adaptive triggers and Activities, require developers to opt-in and support them. Sony has laid strong foundations for its new generation of gaming, but it's now up to developers to use all the tools laid out for them to build upon it. With what we've seen so far from the console's hardware, and games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Astro's Playroom, this next generation has the potential to be great for PlayStation. And I'm excited to see it." -- Mat Paget [Full Review]

CNET - Unscored

"If you're a PlayStation fan, or especially like the kinds of exclusive games (such as Spider-Man, Final Fantasy VII and Horizon Forbidden West) the platform offers, you're going to get one eventually, whether now or when it's easier to buy in stores." -- Dan Ackerman [Full Review]

Game Informer - A-

"The PlayStation 5 is an incredibly powerful and sophisticated piece of gaming hardware, sometimes virtually eliminating the tedium of loading screens that have plagued console gaming for decades. Games look amazing thanks to new lighting techniques, especially on 4K displays, and a proprietary sound engine ensures an equally arresting aural experience. While its outward aesthetic is attractive, it's also overpowering, and the design won't please everyone. A slick dashboard is easy to use and smartly designed, and values what's important to you, most especially your leisure time." -- Matt Miller [Full Review]

IGN - 8/10

"With a launch line-up dominated by games that are also available on PS4, and on the back of a generation already punctuated with incrementally more powerful hardware revisions like the PS4 Pro, the PS5 doesn't quite land as a knockout punch yet--but it's definitely got the power and speed to be a real contender (although the jury's out on the stamina of that tiny 667GB SSD). However, while the PS5's well-considered UI and blisteringly-quick loading times for PS5 games make it a pleasure to use, it's the DualSense controller that's proven to be the surprise haymaker I never saw coming; it truly leaves other controllers feeling primitive in comparison." -- Luke Reilly [Full Review]

Polygon - Unscored

"While some of the PlayStation 5 interface changes are frustrating, they're issues that Sony can fix on a small supercomputer that might live next to your TV for the next six to eight years. I also hope Sony releases a smaller controller variant, or allows me to use my DualShock 4 with PS5 games. While it's up to Sony to make the most of the console by continuing its legacy of strong first-party games, it's hard to predict if some of the more ambitious features--Activity Cards and robust haptics--will see widespread adoption. But every console has its experiments, and these are relatively inert. The PlayStation 5 isn't going to be the alpha and the omega of your entertainment ecosystem, but it will make games faster, smoother, and more striking, and that's all I really want from it." -- Chelsea Stark [Full Review]

The Washington Post - Unscored

"Witnessing the full potential of the PS5 will take time, as developers tinker with the new tools, crafting novelties or pushing the boundaries of the console's remarkable tech. But even just this glimpse into the future feels promising." -- Elise Favis [Full Review]

The Verge - Unscored

"Physically, the PS5 is a brash, intimidating piece of hardware, one that is clearly meant to signal a major shift. But underneath, its changes are much more subtle--at least right now. This isn't the move from SD to HD, or watching Mario explore a 3D space for the very first time. Instead, it's a series of smaller--though still important--shifts, like faster speeds and a more immersive controller, which all add up to a markedly better experience compared to the PS4 by every conceivable metric (aside from the space it takes up). I can't tell you what the future holds, but right now, the PS5 is a great piece of hardware." -- Andrew Webster [Full Review]