For current PlayStation console exclusives, choose a console in the PS5 family. A standard PS5 is the straightforward pick for playing PS5 games; choose a disc model if you need physical-game playback, and consider PS5 Pro if you want enhanced presentation in games that specifically support its features. Pro is not required to play the PS5 library. Before buying, check that each must-play game is available on PlayStation console and whether it has Pro enhancements.
Which PlayStation should I buy for exclusives?
For current PS5 console exclusives, the choice is between PS5, PS5 Digital Edition, and PS5 Pro. The games you can play do not generally depend on choosing Pro: Sony says PS5 Pro plays PS5 games, while Pro-specific features apply only to select enhanced titles and vary by game. Sony’s US buying page lists the current console configurations; check local listings for your region’s prices, bundles, and stock.
- Choose PS5 with a disc drive if you own or plan to buy physical games, including compatible PS4 discs.
- Choose PS5 Digital Edition if you plan to buy and play digitally and do not need a disc drive.
- Consider PS5 Pro if you value supported upgrades such as PSSR, advanced ray tracing, or higher or more consistent frame rates in particular games. Check whether the titles you care about are enhanced.
Console-exclusive availability can change. A PlayStation Studios game is not automatically exclusive to PlayStation consoles. Check the current listing for each game you care about, including its platforms and any announced releases elsewhere.
Do I need a disc version?
If your library includes physical PS5 games or compatible PS4 game discs, you need a console with a disc drive. Sony says PS4 discs cannot be played on PS5 Digital Edition. For a digital console, Sony lists a separately sold, removable drive for certain slim Digital Edition model groups and PS5 Pro; confirm that the drive supports the exact console model before purchasing it. Sony says internet access is needed to pair the drive at setup. When playing a disc-based game, keep the disc inserted as required by Sony’s compatibility guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- Model Number CFI-2000
- Includes DualSense Wireless Controller, 1TB SSD, 2 Horizontal Stand Feet, HDMI Cable, AC power cord, USB cable, printed materials, ASTRO’s PLAYROOM (Pre-installed game)
- Vertical Stand sold seperately
Compare the total local cost of the console and any required drive with the price of a disc-equipped model. The official buying page cited here is US-specific, so it does not establish prices or availability in other countries.
Is PS5 Pro worth it for exclusive games?
Pro’s case is better presentation in games that support its features, not access to a separate PS5 game library. Sony describes PSSR, advanced ray tracing, and the possibility of higher frame rates, but says Pro features are available only in select enhanced games and vary by title. Check the current enhancement status of your particular games rather than assuming every exclusive benefits equally.
Rank #2
- CPU: x86-64-AMD Ryzen Zen 8 Cores / 16 Threads at 3.5GHz.GPU: AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based graphics engine.
- 16GB GDDR6/256-bit Memory; 825GB SSD Storage Capacity
- Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T), IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
- HDR technology, 8K output, 4K TV gaming, Up to 120 fps with 120Hz output, Tempest 3D AudioTech
- What's Included: Sony PlayStation 5 Disc Version; Wireless controller; USB cable, HDMI cable, AC power cord. Nogtox PVT HDMI_cable
Sony quotes Insomniac Core Technology Director Mike Fitzgerald describing a PS5 Pro version of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart with a default Performance Pro mode combining the crisp 4K resolution and ray tracing features of Fidelity mode with the 60 frames per second of Performance mode, plus a Fidelity Pro mode with additional ray-tracing-based rendering features. That is a developer’s description of named modes in one game, not an independent benchmark or a promise about other titles. See Sony’s PS5 Pro page for the feature qualifications and examples.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can I play my PS4 games on PS5?
Yes, for most titles: Sony says the overwhelming majority of more than 4,000 PS4 games are playable on PS5. Compatibility does not guarantee identical behavior, however. Some games may have missing features or unexpected behavior, and Sony identifies exceptions on its PS4-to-PS5 compatibility page. Look up a must-play title before buying, especially if you rely on a specific feature or have a physical copy.
Rank #3
- 🚀 CPU: 3.5GHz, 8-core AMD Zen 2
- 🚀 Storage: Custom 825GB SSD
- 🚀 RAM: 16GB GDDR6
- 🚀 GPU: 10.3 teraflop RDNA 2 GPU
PS5 supports compatible PS4 games but does not support PS3 discs. Sony’s store labels games that cannot run on PS5 as “PS4 only.” The PS5 product page also publishes a figure of over 8,500 PS4 games for backward compatibility; the support page’s more-than-4,000 figure and the product-page figure are both Sony-published counts, so consult the title-specific compatibility information rather than treating either number as a guarantee for a particular game.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Slim Design, players get powerful gaming technology packed inside a sleek and compact console design.
- 825GB of storage, keep your favorite games raeady and waiting for you to jump in and play
- Ultra-High Speed SSD, maximize yoru play sessions with near instant load times for installed PS5 games
- Integrated I/O, the custom integration of the PS5 console's systems lets creators pull datat from the SSD so quickly that they can design games in ways never before possible
- Ray Tracing, immerse yourself in owrlds with a new level of realism as rays of light are individually simulated, creating true-to-life shadows and reflections in supported PS5 games
Rank #4
- Enjoy smooth and fluid high frame rate gameplay at up to 120 fps for compatible games, with support for 120Hz output on 4K displays.
- PS5 consoles support an 8K output, so you can play games on your 4320p resolution display.
- Maximize your play sessions with near-instant load times for installed PS5 games.
- 825GB SSD allows ultra-fast load times, while 3-D audio output produces crisp acoustics.
- Explore uncharted virtual territories and slay dragons with this sleek Sony PlayStation 5 gaming console.
What else should I check before choosing?
- Must-play games: Verify each title’s current PlayStation platform listing and whether it is console-exclusive, also available elsewhere, or announced for another platform.
- Your existing library: Count physical PS4 games and other discs you want to play; this can settle the disc-drive decision.
- Storage and configuration: Sony’s current US buying page lists 1TB for the PS5 disc console, 825GB for PS5 Digital Edition, and 2TB for PS5 Pro. Configurations can change, so confirm the exact model and capacity sold locally.
- Local price and bundles: Compare current regional offers and include the cost of an optional drive if needed.
- Future format notice: Sony’s US buying page states that, from January 2028, newly released PlayStation games will be sold digitally, while discs for games released before January 2028 can continue to be played on this console. This is a dated, region-specific notice; verify the current terms for your market before using it to make a purchase decision.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
