Not Happy with PlayStation 5 Console Design Aesthetics

Just got my console today after months of putting it off. Found it for a good price and I was always going to get one after getting almost a decade of use out of my Ps4.

No complaints about the system and service itself yet. Seems nicely refined and polished, load times are quick, all the usual stuff. But my God, why was I not warned about the horrid design of this thing? It's not just a shock to look at, the poor design extends to it's accessibility and makes it extremely awkward to lay flat on a surface. They seemingly got around this by throwing in a cheap plastic base connector that helps the console sit straight. It's not an issue per se, but for a modern home console that was hyped up so much, it just breaks the immersion.

This isn't even to mention the inflated form factor. This thing is a brickhouse that you could probably use for self defense. It looks like I'm running a remote cloud service from the damn thing. It's HUGE.

I'm usually not one to care about things like this but it's just that bad.

Mod: Changed title to something more appropriate.

Comments

  • +122

    You can always give it to me if you don't like it

    • +1

      Next in line

      • Same here. I will even come and pick it up to save OP the trouble.

  • +9

    Yeah it's pretty ugly compared to the new Xbox, have a look at Dbrand with their curved plates in black it actually looks pretty decent

    • +3

      To be honest, the Xbox Series X is winning so far, with better:
      - performance, noise, aesthetics, backwards compatibility, and game services.

      If I had to choose, I'd still get a PS5 for:
      - the controller, exclusive games that will eventually come.

      • +1

        I chose both; yet to open the PS5 - XSX is a damn fine machine, plus Halo.

        • +3

          I've got a gaming PC and a PS5. Xbox game pass covers me for most things I'd otherwise play on Xbox, and PS5 is just for exclusives I've missed in the past 2 generations (God of War, Last of Us, Ratchet and Clank, Days Gone, Returnal, Ghost of Tsushima, Horizon Zero Dawn).

      • +1

        I have always thought the Xbox controller was king since the OG S controller. Still haven't changed my mind.

        • +1

          It has been, but that PS5 controller - ooft!

          Adaptive triggers. Changes everything!

        • True. I could not play on PS3 controller in the past. It might be due to always owning xbox 360 onwards. Use these to play on PC too.

        • I always preferred the PlayStation for having a symmetrical design. I mean my hands are symmetrical. It takes effort for me, and the majority of people to get used to off-set design.

          What PlayStation had trouble with was girth/size. I'm not sure if they designed it that way for children, or perhaps for Japanese men with small hands.

          So I get what people mean when they compare the PS1 to the DreamController, the PS2 to the DukeController, the PS3 to the 360elite. Here you could say PlayStation was bested for 20 years.

          With PS4 vs XB1, I would put them on equal footing. PS4 was beefier than before which helped a lot, and feels better for the first 10mins but gets less comfortable after (thanks to XB1 even more beefy shape). PS4 has a light that's both useful (AR/VR) and annoying. XB1 had much much better battery life. But the PS4 had a great gyro, and a touchpad which was useless except on a (Windows Home Theatre) PC.

          I think with the PS5 vs XSX, it's an easy win for PlayStation. It's more comfortable, great vibration, triggers, gyro, and touchpad. Also the battery life doesn't such. Though to be fair, I'm splitting hairs whenever I compare the like for like in each generation. Special mentions goes to the Nintendo WiiU Pro Controller, had the joysticks at the top and symmetrical, and the most comfortable design I think. And special mentions also to the Razer JungleCat for having the most pocketable/compact controller, that's still viable, for a handheld device.

  • +81

    "Found it for a good price"

    When someone says this about a PS5, you know they didn't find it for a good price.

    • +9

      RRP is a good price nowadays.

      • +1

        749? Maybe he bought it on ebay and so a good price is anything under 1k

    • Prob bought from a scalper… should never buy from them because you're only supporting them.

    • stolen

  • +81

    You're not wrong, but it makes me snort when you say

    my God, why was I not warned about the horrid design of this thing?

    For a console that's been out for 13 months…

    • +2

      You could have warned me that SlavOz was going to post a forum topic about this, jeez

      • TBH didn't notice it was the Slav until your comment. The post was tame and not too unreasonable compared to their usual…

  • +27

    Feels like a humblebrag; "I hate the way my new PS5 looks!"

    • +23

      My new wallet creases too much from all the money inside too :(

    • +2

      "I hate the way my Ferrari looks. It is just too damn flat! "

    • +1

      Man, it’s so inconvenient driving my lambo because of the horrible roads

      • +6

        Yeah, that's why I bought a racetrack
        .

        • I hate that my racetrack is so far from my estate and I have to get my koenigsegg trucked to the track and fly there by helicopter…..but I like the ps5…in all 10 bedrooms….but then they're the gold plated versions 😂

      • +1

        My mont blanc pen just glides on the paper too well, makes my signature look like an autograph

        • +4

          I hate that the tax man takes more from me in tax than my friends earn in a year

    • +1

      I hate that I own 20 properties in Sydney, I have to pay someone to manage my portfolio because I don't want to do it.

  • +33

    Glad to see a forum post from SlavOz that isn't about COVID-19 vaccines…

    • +37

      He got his chip in a PS5.

      • +34

        Well it is the 5th Generation

        • +1

          And it even came from China 😱

    • +3

      He's worried about being tracked by anyone except Sony and their advertising partners

      • -6

        Well, of course. Sony doesn't hold the record for the largest criminal fine ever handed out for medical fraud, so I'm more inclined to trust them over an unnamed pharma company.

        • +2

          Relax, it was a joke. I don't even know what they're talking about.

        • +1

          Lol

  • +2

    The playstations after the first one had reliability issues. Cooling was a big issue in the ps3 design, supposedly solved in ps4, but then they also had overheating issues. So guessing they went overboard with the Ps5. The nearest competitor is the xbox, so they may have even thought to make the console more like that.

    • Interesting.. I had two PS3's my first on died cant remember what of I think Yellow Light of Death. or the drive, anyway bought a second one. My Ps4 has behaved flawlessly……

      • -2

        I had problems with both. Had to replace ps3 and ps4 while I had them. They really did have cooling issues. My entire room would heat up while playing.

        • Sure it wasn't the TV heating the room, I find my Samsung 65 lets off alot of heat

    • The first batch of ps2's also had cooling issues from memory. The solution was to use it in vertical mode if playing for 4hrs+. Copped a lot of criticism and "memeing" at the time as it was the only vertical console. Think the OP is using ps5 horizontally? Just seen pics and it looks weird. Lot's of complaints about the base too.

  • +1

    Spray paint FTW

    • +1

      Since OP works with so many women he can take it into the office so they can give it a make over!

  • +14

    It's so frustrating that you can't even see it in person before you buy - you'd have no idea from videos or images what it looks like either.

    Just a giant ponzi scheme.

    • +3

      Pretty sure that at (I think) IKEA, there’s cardboard ps5/Xbox to see if they fit in the cabinets they sell

    • +3

      I love how the word ponzi scheme gets thrown around for everything and everywhere these days. Do you really even know what it means and where it applies? I can safely say it doesn't apply here

      • +2

        Meh, words and stuff

      • +1

        Woosh!

        There is a heavy element of sarcasm in my post in case you missed the first sentence. Do you even know what sarcasm is and how it applies? I can safely say you don't understand how it applies here. :)

        Thanks for the condescending reply though - if you could send it on to two other people we can start a nice inverted funnel of condescension!

        • -6

          Um no. You suck pretty bad at sarcasm. Probably one of those people who makes unfunny jokes at a party and you are the only one laughing.

          • @dji1111111: I don't know anyone who would not-sarcastically attach the word ponzi scheme with the PS5, the most scalped and complained about console in the past few years.

            • -1

              @Blitzfx: Ponzi scheme refers to a scam that's designed to draw in new investors and using those funds to pay the existing investors. It doesn't apply to situations where some thing is simply in supply shortage and people are willing to pay premium to get it.
              Based on that dumb theory, rolex or any other luxury products that are commanding a premium in second hand market must be "ponzi schemes" too.

        • Zzz…it's way too late to try and use the /s card mate.

    • I know right? Everyone who bought it are just making money off of others who came before them.

  • +2

    I actually like it. Kind of anyway.

    • Yeah I don't mind it, not that I'm thinking of owning one. They went down the route of making it a statement piece this time rather than just another non-descript inoffensive box

  • +9

    Did Mods warn you never to talk about vaccines again?
    This topic is so mild compared to your usual flair, audience is disappointed.

    • -1

      Not explicitly, no. But being temp banned for disagreeing with the majority of users and daring to question the intentions of major corporations seems like they don't like it too much.

      • +11

        Didn't stop you making a handful of new accounts during that month to come back and post the same stuff though….

        • -3

          Nope, not me. Not sure why pro-establishment cheerleaders always think that voices to the contrary are so few that they must all be from the same person. Think you'll just have to learn to accept that there is more than 1 person in this world who disagrees with you. In fact there are many.

          • +23

            @SlavOz: Calls others pro establishment cheerleaders.

            Buys a PS5.

            • -4

              @raptormesh: An apt comparison would be "Oi, I bought a ps5. Now you need to buy one too otherwise mine won't work properly, and don't forget to renew your PS Plus subscription every 12 months, otherwise you'll be abolished from society"

          • +4

            @SlavOz: The flagged ghost accounts would say otherwise…
            Do I believe your comment, or the mods that flagged them with the back end information they use to identify it?

            So yeah….another quality SlavOz fact post ..

            • @SBOB: The mods told you that they tracked ghost accounts coming from my IP address?

              Either you're lying, or they are. In an age when everyone uses a VPN, I'm not even aware that account tracking is still a thing.

              Like I said, you'll just have to learn to live with knowing that your worldview might be challenged by more than 1 person. I know it's hard, but the sooner you open your mind up to the diverse world out there, the better you'll be for it.

              All the best

              • @SlavOz:

                The mods told you that they tracked ghost accounts

                Flagged ghost account posts get linked to the banned user account. Its literally telling everyone who the flagged account was marked against..
                My world view isnt challenged, but perhaps your memory of those accounts you made is…

                • @SBOB:

                  Do I believe your comment, or the mods that flagged them with the back end information they use to identify it?

                  Can you tell us what you are referring to? I asked other moderators and no one is aware, nor can I find any record of it.

                  You may be thinking of another member who was permanently banned, but has made continual ghost accounts to post in the COVID-19 forum?

                  • -3

                    @hamza23: I cant search for deleted threads or deleted posts that have been flagged as ghost accounts.
                    I'm pretty sure at least one deleted anti-vax thread in the past 4 weeks during Penalty Box time was flagged as a ghost account that pointed to their OP username (and Im also sure I'm not the only one that has made such SlavOz ghost account references)

                    • +4

                      @SBOB: You've been proven wrong by your own source of truth as you have a mod telling you that you're mistaken.

                      Follow your own credo and believe the mods over your own cloudy memory.

                    • @SBOB: I found one such thread during that 4 week period, posted by another member:

                      Pfizer adds heart stabiliser to children's covid vaccine aged 5-11, gov also removes study showing heart problems from vax

                      This forum topic is Not Published
                      Reason: Ghost Account
                      Moderated on 27/11/2021 - 09:01

                      That was made by the member I referenced previously (a permanently banned member who continually makes ghost accounts). The post was not linked to any banned user account in that case (like they sometimes are, depending on how we ban them).

                      I'm not the only one that has made such SlavOz ghost account references

                      I'm not exactly sure what those comments are, however I did just want to clarify our position, as your later comments referenced something mods did, which we did not do. Rather than remove the initial comment (and subsequent comment thread) about ghost accounts as 'accusation' which wouldn't provide any clarity.

                      Thanks

                      • +5

                        @hamza23: allegations retracted, let SlavOz's previous upstanding and well respected position within the online ozbargain community be restored.

                        • +8

                          @SBOB: I've had my day in Ozbargain court!

                          • -1

                            @SlavOz: Up until now I ws starting to think SlavOz was actually the Donald, to the point where my brain would just read his words in the Donald's voice automatically. The fact he has won in court though hs destroyed that illusion

                            • +1

                              @Jackson: He could be Craig Kelly instead or George Christensen

  • The plastic base is a joke. I laughed at it when I was trying to tighten the screw. What a cheap looking solution. At least the console has some cool looking blue light.

  • +4

    It's ugly as hell. Will wait to see if they redesign it with the slim version.

    • +1

      Yup, I'm in the same boat. Waited to buy the slim version of PS4 will wait for a slim version of this one. It's a beast!

  • +4

    lol, wow, people buy consoles for the looks nowadays… rather than it's capabilities.

    What has this world come to…

    • +1

      It's incredibly huge and ugly lol have you seen one in real life? Yeah it's a good console but sheeesh

    • +1

      I guess not everyone is a PC Master Race member who requires maximum garish RGB.

    • I imported a Japanese 20GB launch model PS3 recently, because I like the black trim.
      The chrome on the later models (like what we got in Australia at launch) just looks tacky.

  • +24

    Wtf do you mean by it breaks immersion? Do you glance at your console every few minutes as you’re gaming?

  • I don't know what they were thinking when they designed that thing. Big part of why I went xbox.

  • +12

    it just breaks the immersion

    give me a (profanity) break

    "Look, I'm a Viking assassi…well now the curvature of the plastic has gone and ruined everything, Cecil! Make it stop!"

    • -7

      It's the immersion of value. You pay top dollar for one of the world's best entertainment devices, so it's nice to feel like you're getting more than just a brick of tech components stuffed together. You're buying an experience and the result of someone's time, effort, and commitment into making something perfect. This is why so many brands get hung up on nailing tiny details.

      My iPhone can make calls and take photos but the fact that it's so light, shiny, and sleek adds to the value of owning it. It's not too much to expect a piece of tech to be nicely designed. The problem with the ps5 isn't that the design sucks, it's that the design didn't even have enough work put into it to accomplish the basic task of sitting flush on a surface when not even in use.

      • +4

        I think the design leans in to value. It's a bold design with a lot of consideration. It's function and form. It's art. Xbox Series X is just a block of black, boring.

      • +15

        Things people have said about my launch PS5:

        • Wow, it's huge
        • That picture is amazing
        • These controllers are amazing
        • That game looks so much better than on PS4
        • I wish I could find one

        Things nobody on the planet has ever said except you:

        • The stand erodes my immersion of value
      • +3

        Lmao
        Simple fix
        Go join the pcmr
        Spend some real top dollars
        Send it a pretty case
        RGB go brrrr

      • So hide your PS5 behind your TV or something.

  • I have one of the black disk versions and its gorgeous. I have a studio so it's on display and matches the decor and lighting. I have the XBox Series X too and a Blackmagic eGPU for my Mac and they look identical - sometimes I get them confused. The PS5 stands taller and does look better. I have to say when I had the white plates - I hated it - it matched nothing and I wanted to hide it. Since my black ones arrived - it completely changed how I felt about it.

    The disk version shouldn't be bought though - the console makes quite a lot of noise when using a disk and is mostly silent if you don't put disks in. If you value quiet - the disk version isn't worth purchasing.

    • +1

      Nah, to each their own but I just can't support the idea of buying a long-term rental service. With a digital only console, you'll never actually own any game. The console is just a storage device to save your rented games on.

      No reselling, trading, lending to a friend, or saving them to play in the future. When the developer (or Sony) goes bankrupt, you might as well use it as a paper weight.

      • This is the main reason I won't upgrade to the series S, I totally would just to get nicer graphics for my back catalogue, but then I can't play them without a drive so it defeats the purpose. Hanging for the day that M$ either let people plug in a usb drive or register their hard copies for download.

        And before anyone asks why not buy the series X, I am not in for a 749 ticket to play my old games

  • +2

    https://youtu.be/bgr2OZiS8xQ

    Official console covers have been announced

    • Are the aftermarket ones still banned without a licence?

  • +2

    It looks like a prop from a science fiction movie.

    • +3

      Old school 70's start trek

    • giant robot ladybits!

  • +1

    I agree, the Series X feels more solid and functional and looks a lot better.
    I think Sony will release ps5 slim at some stage, primary feature will be overheating/loud fan.

  • +10

    It's been literally over a year and you are shocked at the way it looks? 🤣🤣🤡. Mate you need to go outside more. Your brain is obviously fried.

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