The original PlayStation console, aka the PS1, was released in Japan in late 1994, meaning the console’s 30th anniversary is just around the corner. To mark this milestone year, Sony has unveiled a nostalgia-inducing redesign of both the PS5 and the upcoming PS5 Pro, with a classic grey color scheme and old-school logo that resembles the original PlayStation. Gamers of a certain age will find it hard to resist these things. Sony did something similar with the PS4 in 2014 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the console line.
This isn’t a quick redesign; some serious thought has gone into this. The updated DualSense controller isn’t an exact match for the original design, but it fits the overall aesthetic. Sony has included a retro-looking cable connector housing and a PlayStation-shaped cable tie. The box looks like it came from a 1990s Toys “R” Us.
There are two bundles to choose from: The PS5 bundle includes the console, a standard DualSense controller, the aforementioned accessories, and some extra goodies like stickers, a poster, and a PlayStation paperclip.
The PS5 Pro bundle includes all of the above, but swaps out the standard controller for a DualSense Edge, and also includes a retro cover for the optional disc drive. It’s easy to water down the pricey PS5 Pro when it looks fundamentally the same as the regular PS5; it’s much harder when it looks like something out of a 1995 fever dream.
Sony
The strange pseudo-handheld PlayStation Portal is also getting a thematic refresh, featuring the iconic grey exterior, and Sony fans can now get their hands on a redesigned controller without having to buy the entire console.
Pre-orders will begin on September 26th at participating retailers and through the company itself. These items will go on sale on November 21st, just two weeks after the launch of the PS5 Pro. As such, we recommend pre-ordering early, as Sony plans to only make 12,300 units of the PS5 Pro retro console. Unfortunately, the company hasn’t released pricing information, but the PS5 Pro bundles will undoubtedly bust your bank account. We’ve inquired about pricing and will update this post if we hear back.
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