More PS5 Photos Emerge from Japanese Previews

Interesting that Sony is deciding to go big with hands-on coverage in the Japanese market as we see Xbox sending Series X units to gaming media personalities here in the USA.

When PS4 launched Sony clearly prioritized the North American market, not even launching the console in Japan until 3 months later.

I find it funny that Japanese influencers are going to be the first to go hands on with PS5, while American personalities like YouTubers and gaming sites have been sent preview units for Xbox Series X.

Really hits home how much Sony tends to cater to the Japanese market in regards to their games lineups, especially this time around.

@TheFrenchiestFry I'd say that's par for the course to be honest.

I'm a little surprised Sony aren't putting it in western hands since the move of their HQ but let's be honest..were ms ever even going to attempt to push it in the east where it doesn't stand a chance.

@solocapers I mean I did see news that Xbox Series X/S ended up selling out upon preorders going live in Japan

I think part of it is also related to how Yakuza is the big third party launch title for them, but Japan also has a massive fanbase for Bethesda IPs as well like Elder Scrolls and DOOM, so the acquisition definitely must've turned heads

The girl is 8 feet tall.

Why send to Japanese only? They must have enough units to send to outlets like digital foundry.

sony knows that japan needs to be a focus because console sales are slumping there and are never going to make a strong return. the dependence on mobile gaming in japan and asia in general is a world of difference compared to the west. for this reason, sony hopes to at least encourage a few ps5 sales in japan, even though it will be an uphill battle, especially with its physical dimensions. here in the west, sony doesn't even need to try and it will sell out. that is the main difference.

if you look at ps console sales in japan, it has steadily declined generation after generation. sony will be lucky if ps5 can hit 7-10m lifetime sales. back in the ps1/ps2 days, sony was selling 20m+ consoles in japan.

I think it's pretty cool; I've really liked the look of it since it was revealed. I like the fact is a piece of design, rather than just a functional box. I knew it wouldn't be everyone's cup of sencha, but was quite surprised just how much some people disliked it.

To me it looks like a plastic toy :/ Sorry, not trying to trigger anyone. I'll get one in black (hopefully) in its next iteration. I hope they'll change the design by then.

It's a question of perspective, the ps5 is more in the background. I still expect it to be big.

I really like the design, I want it to be smaller but I don't mind it if the size keep ps5 cool and have no noise.

@Porco Japan is mobile first country now, the only way for sony to have big success in japan is if sony make portable ps4. But fortunately, japanese games sells more at worldwide market now. And yeah, the ps5 is too big for japan I think.

So the PS5 slim model than........

@TheFrenchiestFry "Selling out" means nothing without actual numbers. Microsoft knows that Japan is not a big market for them, so it's doubtful that they allocated very many of their limited launch units to that market, which means that it's easy to sell out.

it's actually only as large as a Gregg's steak slice

@wiiware yup. imagine if sony does in fact have a vita 2 secretly in development (that has the specs of a ps4) and intends to compete against the nintendo switch? it would be a ballsey move. i think it would sell incredibly well, so long as the entire ps4 digital library is compatible with it. this would also mean that sony would mandate some future ps5 games to be cross gen and also run on ps4 of course, but it appears sony is inclinded to do that anyways as a result of a small ps5 market share for the first couple years. sony does not necessarily need to make "exclusive" games specifically for the vita 2 either... so it would not take away resources from its 1st party studios. by doing this, sony would be able to recoup its market share in japan and asia seeing as portable gaming is so prevelent there. make it happen sony!

They have been trying to hide the size of this console from the beginning and it is ridiculous. Yes, it's the largest console ever made and fanboys had been crying about how big the XSX was before they saw the PS5. That doesn't mean you should only show it in the vertical position straight on or use forced perspective to make it look smaller. They should have embraced the size and communicated that the size will be a trade off for SSD speed.

@thedevilsjester It may not mean much for any other console manufacturer, but you can't deny that for Xbox this is a massive deal considering the Eastern gaming market has been their Achilles' Heel for pretty much every gaming generation up to this point, and stuff like their partnership with SEGA and acquisition of Bethesda were probably major factors in that happening. It's a sign that they're genuinely trying to make the Xbox and Game Pass/xCloud especially a major value proposition for the Japanese market, especially when having access to games like Yakuza, Elder Scrolls, DOOM, every Kingdom Hearts game and a good chunk of Final Fantasy content

You don't just put "Xbox SELLS OUT IN JAPAN" in your headline and not expect people to turn heads

@gollumb82 i agree black it would b fine. but the white just stands out and dont like the design. now the xbox x well that has the 2001 space odysee vibe lol. and a black brick

Ps3 fat looks about the same size as the ps5.word up son

@Anguspuss
Yup. None of the next gen consoles are exceptionally pretty but I actually prefer the simplicity and minimalism of XSX. Hopefully it'll translate to great cooling.

Some Peter Jackson magic being shown off here!

its a basketball shoe, great design on its own but it doesn't go well with anything

@TheIdleCritic Is this really necessary?

It’s bc its a thumbnail those are two separate shots shopped together

@dychomir
Shut your mouth!

@TheFrenchiestFry I am not sure how its a massive deal. Lets throw arbitrary numbers at this as an example.
Let's say they shipped 1000 Xbox One units to Japan, and only sold 500. Now let's say they shipped 200 Xbox Series X units to Japan, and sold all 200. What does that mean? Absolutely nothing. Its a good headline for those that don't read any further, but without actual numbers, its nonsense.

Now I am not saying that they didn't sell well, I don't have any numbers for that, I am just saying that the simple fact that it sold out has no meaning without context (and a comparison to either the competition or their previous launches)

I like his jacket the best.

@SLEEVExOFxWIZARD
No, everything is bigger in Texas. The rest of 'merica can blow off.

@lacerz they would look great with your Fortnite tracksuit 😉

@thedevilsjester yep. I thought like that, too. They went so far as to lower the price in Japan to attack Sony on their own turf. When all the dust settle, we will know the real numbers. But that may be a few years ahead.

We must be late into 2020 if after 40+ comments nobody mentioned the mask. Which I'm happy about, feared the worst.

Seems like a typical photo of a person standing near the camera posing while the console is in the background thus making it look smaller, nothing incidious here to me.

@Porco I think from marketing side "portable ps4" is more safe than "vita 2" lol, it's better to just shrink down ps4 to portables size, which is unfortunately seems really difficult (x86 pc architecture doesn't scale well to portables).

I have 38 hours to learn Japanese..

Leave it to Japan to make some things look smaller and other things cough look bigger for marketing.

Its the same camera tricks they use to shoot the Mandalorian! Cant wait for the all matte black console. In 2021 of course

Next to Shaq: looks small.
Next to Muggsy: looks big.

Sony took the Japanese market for granted during the PS4 era... it's always treated Europe like scum though, so no change there. I am surprised the PS5 hasn't been put in the hands of US social media stars... sorry, please excuse me while I go and vomit.

@Porco To be fair another equally big problem is child births have been on a steady decline for the past two decades there. And most Japanese adults simply can't game due to a multitude of reasons, both culturally and due to having busier lives when compared to the average Westerner.

There's a thing called ad composition.

@Darylb88 i took japanese in high school, its a very simple language. 38 hours, easy........

@hypnotoad That's not a girl.

@710King The only fanboy around here is you Xboy i think your on the wrong site.

@Flaming_Kaiser Your insecurity and fanboyism over an electronic device is hilarious.

@Flaming_Kaiser

Seriously. You just told him to get off this website, suggesting that if he likes Xbox or says any thing about ps5 in a negative light, he doesn't belong here?

And you aren't coming across as a play station fanboy for not hearing his opinion?

You didn't disagree with him. You just flat out didn't even bother with countering his argument. You simply told him he doesn't belong here. And you are going to call "him" a fanboy?

Really dude? You don't see the irony?

@God_of_Nowt agreed on all accounts. These Japanese YouTubers have said that Sony has been hands off with what they can and can't say... my Japanese is crap, but a friend's is really good, she's from Hokkaido. I had heard Sony were running behind closed door session with the PS5 with some people in Europe a few weeks back, but nothing has come of it. Jim Ryan seems like a nice bloke, he really does, but he doesn't seem like the sort of chap you'd put in charge of a major global brand. He always struck me as far too cautious and at times, timid. He's the kind of person you want on your brain trust, sensible Jim, cautious Jim... but in charge of it? I'm not sure.

He'll be playing Astro's Room (just like Geoff Keighley did way back) so nothing of notice there... but I hope we can get a glimpse of the UI.
If I'm honest, I was expecting Miles Morales or even Demon Souls, but I guess Astro's Room will have to do.

@Jarobusa They pronably don't want outlets picking apart the fine details showing that the PS5 is less powerful than the competition.

Never had cause to meet Jim. Most who have said he's plenty nice, an affable sort, just not inspiring. I strangely have no problem with him not knowing the name of Kratos, or even pretending that he does. There are execs I've met who wear the T-shirts and talk down to the kids yo, who I find far worse because they're fake. Jim's job is to make sure he supplies those who create the games a platform worthy enough to put them on and the resources to make the games. He has people underneath him who have the passion, and the skills, my issue is with his decision making and caution in everything he does. Admittedly this is from the outside, I have zero insider knowledge, he just never exudes confidence, he just doesn't look like a person you'd fight for in the trenches.

I compare him to say Phil Harrison or Andrew House, people I have met, and how enthusiastic and interested in things they were. How they asked questions, how they talked about things that excited them and how they wanted you to feel the excitement they felt. They both were very different people, but you could tell they were leaders, maybe not natural leaders, but people who knew where they wanted to go, and wanted you to come along for the ride. Tretton and Leydon were the same, Jim isn't like that. I don't get a sense of his vision or direction, there's no big picture, just bean counting and micromanaging every situation... and I can't shake this feeling that he's a control freak unable to react, and in this industry that's a serious impediment.

The very best corporate suits I have ever encountered were Andrew House and Peter Moore. Both took time to talk to you, and both seemed genuinely interested in what was going on in the industry at a grass roots level. I couldn't tell you whether they were "gamers" but they're the only two big wigs I ever saw on convention floors actually trying out games like the rest of us. I do think there's something in that, like they both actually wanted to play games, even if they were bad at it. Moore also had a good sense of humour, which always helps.

I agree, but this move is probably because Xbox is coming in hot with the Japanese audience, especially with the price cut and everything else and this is Sony’s soil!

Honestly looks like a pretty typical thumbnail used for YouTube, but it is a slow news day I suppose and there is a good chance this story will get some traction on N4G as another opportunity to bash Sony, you can already see the comments here claiming Sony are being intentionally deceptive etc.

It is a flipping thumbnail for a video, nothing more. The negativity around the PS5 is really wearing thin for me now. If this were an advert in a magazine and they had deliberately photoshopped the image I could understand it being highlighted, but this is desperate in my opinion.

@Arugula
I agree. It's just a composition with no agenda.
Here this one makes the PS5 look bigger basically the opposite of the one in the article.
https://youtu.be/oUrmTmMtNSw
I like it better since it seems more natural.

Hope my ps5 order doesn't get delayed 🤠. I can wait to get my hands on this bad boy
https://youtu.be/1AF7K9uvfN4

I heard the white parts, of the ps5, are removable. If so, would it mess with the cooling or sound dampening, etc? Or is it purely aesthetic? It would look better, if it didn't look like don Johnson popping his collar, on his white blazer.

It will be pretty shambolic that we end up watching a Japanese stream to get our first look at the features that seem to be getting spoon fed to us here in the West. I mean, what have they got to lose with showing everything that's still not been announced?

@Flaming_Kaiser

Erm what?

The new ps5 photo looks great, the console looks sleek 😃

I will become a Japanese Gaming Channel just to get that early.

I think it looks lovely. Im not so sure about the shininess of the black box (finger print magnet) but its an attractive piece of technology

@PupTwilight No idea what i changed it but even with the double letters its quite easy too understand.

@PhhhCough
Removing them shouldn't impact acoustics or air flow since they just attach to the side of the internal shell.

I don't think you would want to keep them removed, since its not likely to look very good with the exposed underside and attachment points visible. Those that hope for them to be removable are likely wanting replaceable faceplates.

I think the console itself looks great and I'm excited to get my hands on the dualsense. I was never really a fan of the Sony pads up until DS4 but the more curvy looking dualsense is right up my street, Fingers crossed my Pre-order is fulfilled as I have booked a long weekend just to tinker with this thing. Sony are driving people nuts with their silence but for me it's about the games, never once before have I known what a machines UI looked like, Purely purchased due to the games I'm tied into their eco system until either I grow bored of gaming /the quality takes a huge dive or I get arthritis in my hands!

@Menchi I agree they probably wouldn't want the fact that some of its specs aren't on par with the Xbox, but I doubt many consumers really care that much. Plus the whole argument around specs between Xbox and PlayStation 'fans' is a bit ridiculous anyway. Look at the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro - the X had a similar advantage, but short of squinting your eyes at side by side screenshots, when could you actually tell any difference? Pretty much never.

I have to agree with Sammy here, in this picture the consoles look really grows on me and it almost looks attractive.

It's not shinier than i expected though, i always saw it as standard gloss black plastic in the center.

It full size though, like the factory shots, it isn't quite so sleek.

Not sure why they're focusing on Japan at launch though. This console is designed for western games, and Sony's software hasn't catered towards Japan in a decade. They appeared to have given up Japan to Nintendo entirely.

@SirAngry " I don't get a sense of his vision or direction, there's no big picture, just bean counting and micromanaging every situation... and I can't shake this feeling that he's a control freak unable to react, "

Exactly this. And when that EXACT image is equally visible to industry insiders and outsiders alike..... We kind of know where we are.....

@deSade57 "Look at the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro - the X had a similar advantage, but short of squinting your eyes at side by side screenshots, when could you actually tell any difference? Pretty much never."

Screenshots, no. In motion when it runs at higher, steadier frame rates, plus slightly better visuals on many third party games?

Yeah, it's noticable.

Seeing a lot of comments questioning the context of Xbox selling out in Japan. Why does that matter? Ppl seem upset about it. It makes zero sense.

@NEStalgia that's a matter of opinion. I have both machines and borrowed some games from friends to try just this, and could hardly ever tell a difference - in fact the occasional game would it seem to run a bit better on PS4 - but virtually unnoticeable in real world gaming.

Great move by Sony.......... Give early access to JAPANESE Youtubers AND EVERYTHING IS IN JAPANESE!?!

Bravo

Do you think the next generation will be design to sit on the floor? Like a 2m high console.

@deSade57 reminds me of a similar conversation i had on here with someone else recently... Out of curiosity, what games were they? Did they have both a pro and x patch available and installed? Etc. I've found very few games that didn't look better, run better, or both on the 1x than the pro. There are exceptions, and there are some older games that have a pro patch but not an x patch. And some old enough that have neither. But of ones that have both, i could count on one and the few that weren't better on the 1x.

Now that said that doesn't translate to the new machines necessarily. I know what i expect based on what we do know, but he know vevery little of the ps5 still. But each of them see my s to make some things easier and harder. I think 1440p60 for 2 tentpole launch games gives a bit of preview that's consistent with appearances that XSeX has an advantage at native 4k. But the other half of the equation is if native matters visually.

Looks even better in real shots. Can't wait to grab one.

I don't have to wear a Face mask when I get close to the PS5 do I???

@NEStalgia - good question! From memory it was a Tomb Raider and maybe an Assassin's Creed, but damned if I can remember which ones. I think you're right about the native resolution issue - it is debatable that it makes any noticeable difference visually & it may even be preferable to run in checkerboard to aid performance.

@TheFrenchiestFry

Yes I'm sure its IMPOSSIBLE for you to sell out of 200 units of your upcoming next gen entry level budget priced console in your main competitor's country lmao.

Look at this xbot come to a PS-centric website just to flame. Dude..I love Xbox and always get it...bought 360 launch day got ps3 3 years later... bought ps4 launch day got xb1 2 years later... have a One X right now dont got a PS4 Pro... pre-ordered both PS5 and XSX. But im not about to say one is better than the other. Theyre both great and deserve attention. Right now though...PS5 is killing it with their current state vs the xsx. In the long run...who knows!? As for power..yes on paper, in terms of gpu only...xsx takes it by 16%. In terms of overall architecture...I wouldn't be surprised if Kraken + Oodle and the SSD technology in PS5 close the gap between it and XSX, Velocity and all.

@Recon7 "Xbot"

I never thought I'd end up being called an Xbot considering I've literally never owned one past the original. I've been with PlayStation since the late 2000s.

I don't even know what about me pointing out that the Xbox ended up actually selling out in Japan implied that I was some fanboy. I honestly don't give a ***** what platform you're on

Okay ur right im sorry dude lol I was rude.. ive been dealing with fanboy replies all afternoon I guess I jumped the trigger early lmao my bad bud

After watching the new PS5 preview on YouTube now I'm sure that the DualSense is the real game changer. Not the teraflops but the controller.
Now, devs need to actually implement those improvements into their games. At the very least we can expect Sony's first parties to do it.

@Porco Only 18.8M PS1 consoles were sold in japan

@TheFrenchiestFry then you must have also seen the rumors Xbox has fewer next gen consoles available than expected similar to Ampere’s launch

@Xiovanni so besides the GAMES everything else sounds negative...? Still better than Xbox, sign me up!

@deSade57 the power advantage that SX has over PS5 is merely half that of XB1X vs Pro.

1X also has more ram than Pro, whereas, PS5 and SX have the same ram with PS5 actually having a slight advantage in average RAM speed.

In other words, the difference in multiplat games will be insignificant between SX and PS5. I do expect PS5 to have better looking exclusives, obviously.

The PS5 is beautiful.

But who tf cares really, it's about the games. Demon's Souls Remake can not be played anywhere else. Day one for me. Playstation is yet again delivering. Awesome launch lineup, innovative controller, an SSD that so fast it will alter design choice, VR, and ofc the Tempest engine to match the sexy 3D Pulse headset.

@iamtylerdurden1 - Exactly, I was only mentioning the power issue to try and say there will be no real difference between the two. I get frustrated by the fanboy arguments as we all do - it's a bit like the PC benchmark crowd, having slightly higher numbers seems to make them feel better about themselves! 😄

@TheFrenchiestFry

U are implying that SX is doing well in Japan, or it appears that way. We all know that Xbox is non existent in Japan and any headlines "SX sells out in Japan" is likely a load of PR because I'm sure the amount of units available to pre-order in JP was miniscule. Microsoft lives off this type of PR and sly wordplay to influence the public. Be real, how many units has Microsoft ever sold in that region? VGchartz used to list monthly sales in the single digits (VG is not reliable..I know). U bit and that's what Microsoft was counting on. Spreading a false narrative can sometimes lead to a false perception and that can be a huge boost to a company like Microsoft.

That is why u were attacked by the other bloke. While it might be true, it's completely irrelevant because I could sell out my own Tyler Durden Deluxe Master Machine console made in my basement by selling my entire stock (1 unit) to my fiance. Then headlines about the Tyler Durden gaming console selling out in the USA would seem a bit silly, but technically true.

@deSade57

The funny thing is, fans boast about the 15% power advantage that SX has over PS5 yet 1X had a 30% percent advantage with more ram. PS5 has 15% less power but faster overall RAM and an SSD twice as fast and 3x as smart. If they want to dive into the tech, I prefer what the PS5 is packing. Ppl act like PS5 only has the games, but I disagree. Isn't the input device (controller) part of the tech? I'm as hyped about the innovations in the Dual Sense as any spec or number.

The SSD has already shown how it will influence game design. The 3D audio supported by Tempest is very exciting. These are tech related elements. Input, game design, audio. This impacts immersion and gameplay, not just a few more pixels.

Then take into account how PS5 isn't necessarily held back by current gen or a weak iteration of itself. These are huge factors. Rumored DLSS support for PS5 is promising as well.

If SX and PS5 had the same games, no exclusives, and both systems were the same price I'd STILL choose PS5 because I prefer the immersive and dynamic tech innovations like Dual Sense, God tier SSD, and 3D audio/Tempest over a 15% GPU advantage. It absolutely is not a forgone conclusion that Xbox now has the better tech, not by a long shot. Just wait until these systems launch.

@iamtylerdurden1 Indeed. My biggest issue with the PS5 is where am I going to put it! 😂

I do like it. It is gonna be perfect under my TV , if I am lucky enough to buy one. Hope to be more units available for pre-order.