With the newest console generation firmly launched, gamers everywhere are focused on the future. What grand adventures and intimate experiences wait for players in the coming years? Only time will tell. Each console generation has brought something new and exciting!
Aside from games, however, the new consoles launched with a variety of peripherals and accessories that can enhance the overall experience. Sony’s PlayStation 5 has many extras to choose from, and while some have proven to be more useful than others, there is no denying that each one fulfills a particular service that gamers might need.
10 DualSense Controller
Included with every console, the DualSense controller is a massive upgrade from Sony’s previous DualShock series. Carrying over the motion-sensing capabilities and color-changing light bar that defined the PS4 era, this new iteration adds a major feature: haptic feedback.
Pinpoint-specific rumble technology and (some admittedly fragile) adaptive triggers mean that gaming on the PS5 is more immersive than ever. Pulling the trigger to shoot has resistance to it much as it would in real life, and vibration can be isolated to specific parts of the controller to replicate the feeling of a character walking on specific surfaces.
9 PS5 HD Camera
Truthfully, Sony’s rollout of this camera was a little rocky. The announcement that it was not compatible with PS VR was only made a while after preorders went live. Understandably, this caused some anger among gamers who felt like they had been duped into purchasing an accessory that they didn’t really need.
The precipitous launch aside, however, the HD Camera is a welcome addition to the PlayStation 5. For players more inclined to stream on sites like Twitch, it makes for an easy set-up with relatively good image quality.
8 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset
Want to know another new feature of the PlayStation 5 that is meant to enhance immersion? Fully 3D audio for games. While this can be somewhat replicated in a more traditional surround-sound setting, the official Sony-branded Pulse headset gives players a moderately-priced headset that shows off these new headset-exclusive audio capabilities.
Much like the enhanced rumble of the new controllers, the 3D audio is meant to immerse players more than ever into their gaming world. Better quality headsets exist, but these are a good jumping on point for budding audiophiles wanting to try something new with their new console.
7 Media Remote
Aside from its main function of playing video games, the PlayStation 5 also acts as a dedicated media player. Sony has made some changes to the user interface, and this remote will help gamers navigate. Both Blu-ray discs and streaming services can be used with the console.
With dedicated buttons for Disney+, Netflix, Youtube, and Spotify, hours of entertainment are only a couple of button presses away. In an age where streaming has become a dominant force in the television and film industry, the convenience of a media remote like this can be incredibly appealing.
6 DualSense Charging Station
It’s true that the standard retail unit of the PS5 only includes one controller, but if gamers purchase another to enjoy some local multiplayer fun then the charging station is a must. Especially with the hassle of needing to plug the controller charging cable into the USB port on the console, the benefit of being able to charge two controllers at once makes the relatively cheap price tag even more worth it.
An additional DualSense is somewhat cost-prohibitive, sure, but if customers find themselves in the position to afford all of these accessories, their experience will definitely be enhanced.
5 PlayStation Camera Adaptor
When Sony announced the new HD Camera for the PS5 was not compatible with PS VR and that the old PlayStation Camera would not work with the console, there was some understandable backlash.
In response, Sony announced that players could apply to receive an adaptor for the old camera, free of charge. This step helps people to carry over their old accessories to the new generation, but perhaps going forward Sony should consider creating systems that will simply work with new hardware without having to resort to messy extra cables and negative customer feedback.
4 PSVR
If a player has the aforementioned adaptor cable, then PSVR will work on their PS5. Though virtual reality games have yet to take the common market by storm, the dedicated fanbase for these types of experiences is growing every day. When PlayStation decided to jump into the VR space, it was met with some reasonable skepticism.
Could a console handle the technical requirements needed to render these worlds? Though it may not be the most powerful headset on the market, PSVR offers an easy and fun intro into the world of VR without the hassle of having to own a high-end PC.
3 Extended Storage
Though Sony has yet to announce an officially-licensed external hard drive for the new system, players can use their own hard drives through USB connectivity. While this is a useful feature, it is unfortunate that external storage was not a more robust feature at launch. Furthermore, some players have reported glitches when trying to load games from external storage.
Sony will undoubtedly rectify these issues in the future, and given the limited storage space on the console, it may be worth the risk for some players to use these USB external storage options.
2 Swappable Side Plates
When the PlayStation 5 was announced and people saw its unique design, ideas started spreading quickly about ways to customize the side plates. Sony does not currently offer first-party branded customizations, but that doesn’t mean there are no other options out there.
In the past few months, Sony famously shut down a popular faceplate seller. While this is bound to happen to other sellers in the future, there are still plenty of customization options to find on the internet. You should purchase these with caution, however, as Sony has not endorsed these products.
1 SteelSeries Arctis 7P Wireless Headset
A more expensive and higher quality alternative to Sony’s official headset, the SteelSeries Arctis 7P is a great option for gamers who really want to invest in amazing sound. Designed around the PS5, this headset has a sleek design and is backward compatible with the PS4.
Complete with the relevant 3D audio technology, this headset can even work with consoles such as the Switch. Though it is more expensive, it is definitely worth the price for those wanting a little more than Sony’s aural offerings.
