A quarter-century after Sony released the first PlayStation in North America, the PlayStation 5 raises the bar for console gaming. Like its rival Microsoft Xbox Series X, the PlayStation 5 packs considerably more power than its predecessor, delivering native 4K gaming at up to 120 frames per second across supported displays.

But Sony has done more than just pack in more graphical prowess than before. The DualSense controller also represents an evolution of the classic DualShock design, with adaptive triggers that cock and require extra force to squeeze, not to mention immersive haptic feedback all around the gamepad. It’s been a genuine game-changer, represented at launch in the clever and ultra-charming freebie Astro’s Playroom, and used to huge effect in subsequent titles like Returnal.

On paper, the PlayStation 5 trails the Xbox Series X in peak raw power, but it's hard to tell the difference in practice. Multiplatform launch games looked and performed essentially the same across both platforms, while later titles performed slightly better on the Series X. Slightly higher framerates are normal. Not everyone is going to pick up on such minor differences, though.

The main difference is that there are more interesting games on Sony's console, thanks to launch exclusives like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Demon's Souls and follow-up releases like Returnal and the latest installment of Ratchet & Clank.