Poll: Would You Be Interested in a Detachable PS5 Disc Drive?

Only if I can buy the Disc Drive separately and use it with any device I want

As the article says, I think this is good for people who got the digital edition but later on decide they want to play a few discs. I have a disc edition though, so I personally don't need it.

I really don't see Sony dropping the ps5 physical version especially with the supposed slim version and rumored ps5 pro unless they redesign the digital version with a bigger hard drive or an extension to allow to increase the hard drive that was speculated when the ps5" was first announce in April 2020

If it’s meant to seem like it’s part of the main body then the main body itself has to be redesigned, so I’d be quite surprised if that redesign didn’t include making it a bit smaller anyhow. I’ve been holding off for the slim release, but if they’re going this way instead that works for me too 👍🏻

I have a disc drive already, so I don't need or want one. I think they should just stop selling the digital PS5s to be honest.

The PS5 already takes up a lot of space. Who wants it to take up even more?

Well as I have a disc drive its pretty worthless to me, this just seems more of a way for Sony to push customers towards a digital only future than anything

Let me guess, the overall price of a PS5 digital plus a disc drive would be higher than buying the PS5 with a disc drive?

I have the disk version, but it will be nice to have a quick solution if my drive dies.

If i didnt have one, or if my current one broke i would certainly buy it, but i woukdnt go out and get one to replace my disc model just because.

Would they have an another USB-C port? The one on the existing model is reserved for VR.

Mine came with it built in. I'm good.

It will be an enticing option for me. Have not upgraded to the PS5 but the vast majority of my PS4 catalog is on disc, thus, a PS5 with a hard drive is the only option for me. This PS5 revision will be a great option once I upgrade from the PS4.

I'm in mixed minds with it. On one hand I like the thought of being able to remove the disc drive easier should it go faulty but on the other hand it feels like a way to push out physical games to encourage more people to go digital. There was a time when I was looking to buy a new a new laptop but couldn't find one that allowed me to watch my DVDs so I don't want to see consoles doing the same. How many gens will they support those external drives before they stop doing them completely.

I don't like the thought of it taking up a USB port either so it would need to come with an extra port for it. I suppose I'd accept it more if we could just slide the drive in or slide another external HDD in instead to be rid of the messy wires

I want a disc drive edition either way, but I don't mind if it's detachable or not. Either is fine.

Absolutely pointless!! The PS5 is big enough, without needing even more space!!

My PS5 has a disc drive so no and while i'm a digital gamer i do like having the disc drive for blu rays.

@Beeeee-AHH-eer On the flip side, every digital unit could potentially be eliminated by adding a drive at anytime. Whereas with the previous way of doing it, a digital unit would be stuck to being digital for life.

So pick your poison really. The root cause is the fact that the concept of a digital delivery exists. Not whether a drive is detachable.

I would have been interested in one but I got the disc version so, no.

I personally would not buy it, I have the disc version, but I think it can be useful for those who bought the digital version. One of my buds bought it because it was cheaper and every time we go into a used games store he regrets it.

If I didn't already have one is something I might think about but as an existing disc drive version owner it kind of seems like an unnecessary step backwards

The PS5 doesn't have enough ports as it is. If this plugs in to the front USB C port then where does PSVR2 plug in if you want to play a disc game?

Maybe Sony will release a £60 multi USB C adapter. 🤣

paid the extra for the disc ps5. by far and away saved more than i spent.

id always get the disc part.

No, I don't see the point.

More interested in it being a slim model and cheaper!

@Jaz007 Yeah...Not gonna happen man. Just because YOU don't want or need one. Doesn't mean it wouldn't be beneficial for anyone else. This was such a one track minded response lol

See, I got a second PS5 to get the disc drive as a way of having it act as a media centre for the living room, and the disc drive has been used about 3 times 😅 I think I've moved beyond the need for discs in all media. I was certain I wanted a disc drive initially too, but settled for the all digital console when it was all that could be had.

Watching a Christmas film on dvd and trying out the PS5 version of Cyberpunk (which I instantly deleted again as I just couldn't be bothered to try and pick up where I left off) doesn't feel like it warranted the purchase overall 😅 but we live and learn.

Now all we need is a more competitive pricing system for digital games and we can all just
happily move into the future, skipping as we go

Important question: Would you need a screwdriver to attach the disc drive stand?

I do find the different gaming fandoms funny though. On a PS site the majority of the comments are "they should stop making discless, lacquer discs are the future forever!" on an XB fan site the majority of comments are "I never use the disc drive anyway, but good for people who do I guess" and on a PC site its "what's a disc? I think I saw pictures of those from the 90s once."

The majority of the sales at this point even on PS are digital, so the reality is disc drives are more of an option than a default for the platform in general. It makes sense to sell the digital default and make the disc drive a separate purchase. He helps Sony boost profits by making digital a default. It simplifies production by making only one PS5 and that's that. And if the disc drives become faulty like my box of broken PS3 Slims with bad disc drives is, you can just buy the disc drive and not a whole PS5 to fix it. Pretty much win-win all around, except if they gouge and the disc based system ends up costing more than it used to, then it's a stealth price increase on physical buyers, Matrick-style.

I do think Liam and some commenters are missing a point though. The redesigned modular disc system IS The PS5 Slim assuming it's real. I just hope they add a USB-C slot, because it's a little cramped now if you have a disc drive, external HDD for PS4 games, PSVR2 and a controller....

I'm all aboard the all digital future. I'd find no need for it, but I know there's still a large amount of gamers who enjoy the extra clutter and additional exercise to change games.

@Jayslow or.... collectors?

With the majority of consoles sold being the disc version, isn’t that telling them what they need to know?

@Gilgamax305 A digital pricing monopoly is bad for everyone, hence why it's better for everyone if there's no digital only PS5. I've thought about these things before saying them.

@thefourfoldroot1 if they do release a ps5 with a detachable disc drive and I hope they will provide another usb c port on the ps5. I'm personally not interested in a ps5 with a detachable disc drive because I already have a ps5 with a internal disc drive. They only way I might get one is if my ps5 broke and I had no choice but to get one.

Most people who bought the digital edition as a considered purchase have zero interest in discs, so pointless. And those who still want discs already have the disc edition, so pointless.

The trojan horse here is that Sony are preparing the ground for the PS6, which it seems likely won't come with a drive at all as standard, and anyone who wants one will have to pay up more for the add-on. That's the way the wind is blowing, like it or not.

Makes no difference to me, because I gave up on discs years ago for all media.

I had to replace the optical drive on my PS3 and it was a pain. If you have physical PS4/5 games we and don’t want to by them digitally, and your internal drive goes south, this might be useful. What would also be useful is if it didn’t sound like a C130 taking off (also useful if you wanted to use it across multiple PS5s, especially if a Pro comes out)

I’ve got the digital edition and wouldn’t mind having the drive duke the cheaper physical stuff

I have a Digital Edition PS5. I'm only interested in the Detachable disc drive IF the rumored PS3 emulator is real and I can play my disc PS3 games using it.
All my PS4 games are Digital save for one...KNACK

Renting, buying and selling used games is how I keep my cost down. Drive is a must

But already have a launch PS5 Disk version. And I never upgrade in the same generation... not PS3, PS4 or Switch.

One purchase per generation. Always at launch.

It's a difficult one. It's a good idea if it can be used with the current digital edition PS5 and the current PS5 with disc drive that's not detachable is continued to be sold. But if the current 2 PS5 models are being replaced with this detachable model, that's bad because the ability to choose physical then relies on Sony making sufficient stock of the detachable disc drive which won't happen.

My PS5 has a disc drive, but if I'm able to purchase a separate drive for $100 or less and use it with my PS5, I would. That would be less wear and tear on my built-in disc drive, and it's easier to replace an external drive. Especially since most of my games are physical.

well, that depends. if sony decided to forgo the optical drive (built into the console) with the ps5 slim, we won't exactly have a choice in the matter. i prefer that all components are bult into the console. but if that is not an option, absolutely i will be picking up an external disc drive to go along with it so long as the pricing makes sense. i hope there is a $50-100 price drop by the time the slim launches.

clearly, this is a transitional period with the end goal being to cut out optical drives for good. sony knows that the mass majority of gamers will pick up the base ps5 slim with no optical drive and be content... but i am not one of those people. i am prepared for this being the last console generation with physical media so i will make the most of it. i will be rather surprised if the ps6 has an optical drive — if it does, that will be for b/c with ps4/ps5 games i suppose. but physical ps6 games? unlikely. sony wants to control what people buy and for how much... cutting out the used game market has been the dream of sony, nintendo and microsoft for a while i am sure.

Unless my current PS5 decides to take a dump I have no interest in replacing it.

Still I do think it is the right move for Sony from a production standpoint.

I'm more interesting in a slim PS5 in black with blu-ray drive. If the drive is detachable that's fine.

Good idead to reduce production costs. I'm just waiting for a slim version.

I could only get a digital PS5 so I would be very interested in buying one it would save me trading in mine for a disc version in the future

Not in the slightest.

Some people that have had the option of moving to all digital seem to forget that not everyone that has a gaming system has the same financial reach. Some people don't have access to digital games for a number of reasons. Some people can only consume when they trade or buy used games. It's cool you made that choice to go all digital, but having a drive is of utter importance.

Personally, I rather have games that I'll beat once and probably never play again in cd, so I can trade or sell. If a digital deal is really great and/or the game is one I'll want in my collection forever, I'll go digital.

But I own around 10 physical copies, some of which I intend to have permanently, and some for the trade game.

Getting a PS5 pretty soon, abd I'll go with the disc version. If I were to buy way down the road, I'd get a driver as well.

By "having a drive is of utter importance" I mean for it to exist in the market and physical games to still exist. Not for everyone to have it.

When the ps5 was announced with 2 versions and then the price of the games was revealed it was a no brainer for me..physical all the way as it was obvious that anybody buying the digital version was going to be shafted at the checkout. This is good for all those poor souls ripped off by the digital prices on psn. People still complain about the size of the ps5 but a gaming pc will take up twice that space without batting an eyelid and consume a lot more electricity to run. Never been happier with my ps5.

Depends on the design.

Disc drive should be present, so I can have a choice, even if I buy digitally most of the time.

I managed to score one over the holidays. I'll probably upgrade to the pro a few years after it comes out.

@Whately86 I hear you. But depending on where in the world you live some have been forced to go all Digital as Physical disc are either not locally available or just cost more than buying digital. Availability and import taxes make buying from PSN cheaper in some countries.

It’s a great idea for an attachment but I doubt it would sell many.

Yeah, if it comes with a smaller PS5 I’m totally interested

I’m interested in a detachable drive just for the simple fact that the disc drives always seem to be a failure point for me. I do already have multiple PS5’s in the house and would be more interested in a Pro model though.

I'd probably consider grabbing the digital model at some point if I knew I could pay $100 or so for a disc add-on. I think it's a great idea.

If this runs through the USBC port then what happens if you have a PSVR2 disc based game?

Assuming there will be some multi adaptor port but will bandwidth allow both that and the vr headset?

Ohh and in answer to the question, no I just want the all in one unit that can play discs.

I have a disk PS5, simply because it was the only one available to buy at the time (a little over 2 years ago).
But I find the drive worthless, and I knew this from the start.
The only physical title I had on my PS4 was Rise of the Tomb Raider. The limited transfer speed, the need to download updates too after the game is installed (if you want the latest patches), the noise made by the drive when installing or loading from time to time etc... never bought another physical release since then. Even bought the same game again in the digital version when I found it at a discount.
I very much prefer buying digital releases. They don't take up any physical space around the house, they install directly with the latest updates, internet transfer speed is better than blue ray's (in my case at least), they don't make any noise while installing etc.
Not a popular opinion around here, I know, but there it is, and I stand by it.

I watch UHD movies on my PS5, so I'm glad it has an optical drive. Streaming is good, but the compression is almost always higher than from disk, and sometimes you can tell the difference.

As for games, I've got a few games on disk because they were cheaper that way, but I generally prefer the digital version because I'm lazy and don't want to get up and swap disks to switch games.

If I had a dedicated UHD disk player for movies, I'd probably be fine with the digital only game console, despite the occasional savings from buying physical copies of games. The cost difference doesn't make it worth it, though.

I'm interested in whether or not the PS5 drive would be able to connect to any other devices - a laptop, perhaps? Also, will it work (for UHD movies, in particular) if the internal optical drive is broken?

@Melee_Ace samesies.

I still don't have a PS5. Was planning on buying one when they released the first major revision, so this will likely be the one I get. I'm just concerned they will price it without the disc drive at the same price as the current disc version and the attachment will cost extra; essentially, the price to get a PS5 with a disc drive would be higher than it is now. This would be unprecedented, however, since I don't believe a console's price has ever been increased with a hardware revision of equivalent specs.

I definitely want the disc drive because my current library is mostly disc-based. I even have some PS5 discs already.

I guess all those people who realised being able to get physical games 5 times cheaper than digital (due to the second hand market) was a good thing, will either be very happy or very disappointed depending on whether these disc drives can be attached to existing digital models.

Wow that is the first time since the release of the PS5 we haven’t sold one in a single day, PS5 Solo disc edition. (10 in store stock).
Don’t get me wrong it happens loads with Switch and Xbox, so nothing special.
I guess it had to happen one day.
Also it’s that time of year after Christmas and before pay day in January.

I believe the revision is happening with it being a digital only with the option of a detachable m disc drive as the base ps5.

But am I crazy to think at the same time they will introduce a ps5 pro and the new base ps5 will just phase out the existing 2 models and have the ps5 slim as the only one.

So it be still just be 2 models. a PS5 slim with the option of a disc drive and a supe up ps5 with all the bells and whistles.

External Drives cost more than internal drives! This will drive the total cost up for the consumer. Like Most I have a PS5 with built in Drive. I have no need for a detachable drive.

It's cool that the disk drive can be swapped out if it breaks, but otherwise I don't mind if the disk drive is detachable or not. This move seems more for Sony's benefit though, as it helps them to streamline their manufacturing processes.

I got the Digital PS5, so no thanks. Been 100% digital for many many years now. On my Switch and Xbox Series X i wouldn’t even know if the physical media slots work. But i am always happy there is still physical media for those that want it. Shouldn’t be one way or the other, both can survive.

If this had been an option at launch I'd probably have gone for this + digital. I hardly use the drive on my launch console, but the few times I have it has saved me a fair amount, more already than the price difference between editions.

no i’m not a boomer , i prefer digital

@theheadofabroom not going to lie, it can save money, you are right for sure in saying that. Like Dead Space remake coming up. I might buy that on disk for series x, beat it once or twice and sell it. Cause downloading on PS5 seems like a waste of money. Unless i want to wait a long time and it hit’s $35-40, then i would download it at that price. But a game like Diablo 4, i will download that for $70 and not even blink as i will play it for 4-5 years non stop. Even GOWR I downloaded at full price. But you make a great point in saving some money. Glad the option is there for ya 😊

I’m down. I’ve held off on buying a 2nd PS5 for the game room because I don’t like the aesthetics of the original PS5. I’ll definitely pick one up if there’s a good redesign. I’m mostly digital now, but I do have a few discs that I’d like to have a drive for.

@Shinnok789 Agreed, but the one caveat with focusing primarily on digital releases is that you're forced to accept the prices on digital storefronts. I'm in a similar position in that I went pretty much exclusively digital within the past four years or so, but the prices are so obscene and unjustifiable today (£70 is eldritch) that I'm considering returning to physical releases.

And, but and but, and, but. Yes? No.

I already have a PS5 with a disc drive built in so this is of little value to me. If I only had the digital edition I’d be interested though. I’m a bit old school so I like the hard copy media.

Only if they add an extra USB port in the back for it. I already used up the USB ports in the back for USB-to-Optical audio and external SSD.

A removable Blu-ray drive is must for anyone who takes the time to think it through and who has not foolishly bought into the supposed digital only future.

Should the Blu-ray drive in you existing console fail an external blu-ray drive is a simple solution to keeping you disc based console going.

We have to assume these drives will be readable by any ps5 console of course. But until they're released anything that is discussed is pure conjecture.

As a 2nd PS5 to be in my living room, sure

Xbox to follow as well hopefully

I think its an excellent idea if it goes wrong i can buy another disc drive.

apparently the separate disc drive slots it so it looks like it part of the ps5 and it also has an extra usb c on the back for it

Some people here hate digital but I think it does depend on the country as well, i.e. in Mexico they do not put on sale the games in discs, they remain at the same price always, even 2 or 3 years after their release, it is not like the US or some shops in the UK where prices drops as time passes. So, I've bought all my collection via PS Store at prices that I cannot find in Mexico with discs in a million years. Besides, there've been some good deals in the last 2 years...

@Loamy same here, I would pick up a couple extra disc drives for that very reason.

Sure I would be interested in an external disc drive for my PS5 digital edition.
extra plus if it can be used as a bluray player on PC and Mac as well.

It's not like I NEED it, but having the option to pop in a disc is nice. It's also nice to not have it built into the console.
The laser heads was always the first thing to die in my Playstation consoles.
having that weak link externally connected put me at ease a bit, since it's easily replaced.

Iv seen these expensive ones advertised and I bought an external one from Argos wasnt expensive and had been perfect ever dove. Dont wast money on expensive ones

@bkeswick A most perceptive observation. Seeing the forest from the trees, so to speak. Well done good fellow.

As an owner of a disc version, I like the ability to play a Blu-Ray or DVD in my bedroom in the rare instance my internet is down. I only have two games on disc (NBA 2K21 and RE:Village, mainly due to pricing at the time). The vast majority of my gaming experience is digital, but it is a nice fallback option to have when you need to consume media in a pinch and you're struggling with an internet connection. And of course the entire ownership concept is very much still in play. I just figure in ten or twenty years I won't be stressing this generation's games as much (monetarily and in terms of time-investment).

I have a day one with Disc Drive so I will definitely go for the Pro if that ever comes out but I have a few mates who went digital only (fools) and I can't lend them my games! They get ripped in the store so for them it will be excellent and also for me so I can loan them my discs as some of them can't afford all the new games and you gotta share the love.

@Mythologue I usually use the PS5 for exclusives, most of which are worth buying even at full price. And I use 2 PSN accounts, one for Europe and one for US, so I can double down on the periodic discounts. Sony allows multiple accounts on 1 console, and you can play any game on any account as long as all of them are in 1 console.
Also, up until the recent economic troubles, the $ was much cheaper than Euro so, since I live in Europe, I mostly used my US account to save some money on PS games : )
Also have PS+ and the monthly "free" games, which are of course digital.
For the multiplatform releases, if there are no discounts on PS Store, then I use my PC, because there are some very good deals on cd key sites. Many consider them a "grey area", but for those of us who are not made of gold, this helps save some cash.

The question is also whether this is a replacement for the digital edition, the disc edition or both. If it replaces the digital edition and offers a way to add a disc drive, I don't see any issues. But I prefer the disc edition anyway, and in that case I'd like it to have built in rather than another separate device.

Nope. Haven't put a disc in a machine for years. Jeez, we'll have "would you buy a USB lead for your wireless controller" next.

Welcome to the 21st century.

this console version will be a replacement for both existing digital and disc versions of ps5

also i wouldn't necessarily assume this disc drive would work with exiting ps5s digital or disc versions.

@trev666 I suspect this will work with existing DOE versions of the fatty 5 as it should be a USB plug-in and the driver will become part of the PS5's firmware - at least you'd hope!

Depending on how it is supplied, I suppose you might need an external case for it, if it is a slot-in unit with just a fascia plate?

I think people are forgetting that this is going to be designed to be used with a NEW chassis design, PS5 'D' if you will, which will have an extra USB socket at the rear of the redesigned unit for this to plug into. It is going to be designed to be used with and integrate into the 'D', and those who bought the PS5 DOE might be able to use it if they have a spare USB socket.

@sanderson72 its a bit more technical than that as every current ps5 disc drive has an individual logic board that is married to the ps5 motherboard if they dont match the drive wont work.

@lindos 😂😂

Don't give them ideas! And if they did run that, you'd get loads on here saying how they will ONLY use their expensive charging station rather than any old usb-c cable that happens to work just as well.

I'm with you, haven't used discs for years for games, films, music, anything. Would feel like I'd gone back to VHS-era (and yes, I was there)

If I had a Digital PS5 definitely (if it works on every PS5 + to save money) but maybe it could be a cheaper solution when your drive stops working properly after many years and repair costs are higher?

• I would never buy a new PS5 Pro console but I would buy some sort of upgrade add-on if that was possible & pricing was affordable.

If/when my PS5 dies, I'd consider purchasing the detachable disc model. Initially, I didn't think I would, but then I reconsidered - my original PS1 & PS4 never died, but my first PS2 & PS3 did: both had the disc drives die. So that got me thinking - be cheaper to replace just the disc drive than have to buy a whole new console.

Great idea if yr current ps5 drive dies ,I'm a mainly disc gamer so if mine drive goes then buying a separate 1 is very gd

I have a PS5 with a disc drive already, and I will always want to buy a system that has one built in. The only way I could see a use for this would be if I were somehow forced to buy a digital only version as my only option, but even then its absolutely not preferable.

PlayStation are notoriously bad at peripheral support (think move controllers which have been all but unobtainium for at least 3 years) so this is a really bad sign. Luckily I have a PS5 disc already. One advantage of this is the eradication of failed disc drives being tied to the rest of the console though. I'd say it's a win for right to repair, but it really isn't...

@Unlucky13 that'll be PS6. One SKU, and pay extra for a drive then if you really want one. Which is actually how it is this gen anyway - everyone who wanted the disc drive has paid near £100 more for it.

Or to turn that around, those of us who never had any interest in discs and wouldn't have bought any physical games regardless have saved £100 on the console.

@Gamer_Guy yea but overall once you factor in buying games and being able to sell them on or just borrow the game, the disk version works out cheaper. Take hogwarts legacy you save £15 just by buying the disk version of std game.

I feel the poll doesn't reflect context: this won't be for the existing model but instead the slimmer (or shorter) one coming later this year. In which case yes I would buy one because I like to have physical ownership of my stuff.

Got a PS5 with a disk but maybe for the PS6 the option of a detachable one is a good one.

BTW I must getting old but what in God's name is Hookshot in the login screen? Never heard of it.

@InvaderJim but if you're someone who has no actual interest in discs, then the saving on the console itself is real because without the digital edition you'd have to pay the full price for a console with a disc drive you'd never use.

The point that many disc users miss is that plenty of people simply don't want to mess about with them anymore. the cost vs convenience is a thing. it doesn't come down to 'disc game is cheaper therefore digital is wrong.'

I think the noise level of the disc drive in my PS5 is too loud and spins when it doesn't need to. I feel like it's a subtle tactic to make us switch to digital only where Sony can yield greater profits for every purchase. Games on disc have always been very cheap but I can't put up with the noise.

@Mythologue you do know that the psn store constantly has digital sales going on so the 70 bucks wont always last lol i only do digital and thats how i get my games. physical isnt all that like these folks say. who buys games to just get rid of them and sell them. i like to always keep all my 700 plus games ive bought digitally. and for anyone who says you dont own them yes you do. for example ultimate alliance 1 and 2 are delisted but i will always have them in my library and can re download and delete anytime i want. so i do in fact own those games they dont just take your games away only if your in a subscription they do

@SerJosh97 Sure, but that only really proves the point. What's a game that's 40% off at £49.99 versus a game that's 40% off at £69.99? What does that say about games that aren't on sale (God of War, for example), or that will be removed from the sale within the next few days or weeks?

Physical copies offer more diversity because price drops can occur pretty rapidly as people shift their used copies. With digital, it's far slower and you don't have that diverse market.

@johnny30 I wish I didn’t listen to pro rumors.
In June 2019 I started researching the switch and I probably put off buying one for about 6 months waiting for the pro I was just gonna buy instead. And we know how that goes. People have been barley able to get a ps5. Now that they kinda can, how many are gonna miss out because stupid pro console rumors.

Nope, my PS5 has the disc drive and that is the only way I want it or any future PlayStations. It would be a very unwise move for them to not offer a disc drive version in the future.

I don't know about the other regions, but you still can't buy PS5s here in Canada. All sold out everywhere.
I don't need one yet as I have a lot of backlog on the Pro that I am still in the process of playing and I just picked up a steam deck as well.
BUT I'd like to get one shortly down the road with a PSVR2 and having accessories like VR and an external disk drive - but no readily available console - seems like a problem still in need of solving.

I read online the rumors are it won't work with the now digital console but who knows it's just rumors.

Why are some people on here so smug and self righteous over their choice of digital or physical?

Even resulting in name calling. It's really pathetic.