• 🤔 Sony has clarified the allegations that it introduced an Xbox One-like DRM feature on the PS5 after recent criticism

• 🤷‍♂️ A spokesperson said that no further checks for a digital license were required after a one-time online check-in when the game is purchased

• ⏰ It had previously been feared that Sony was introducing 30-day check-ins for digital games as part of some strict DRM

• 🙏 This echoes the large backlash Microsoft faced with the Xbox One, which was originally going to ship with very strict DRM, before it reversed the decision

Sony has addressed the PS5’s potential Xbox One-like DRM feature, which appeared to have been added in a recent firmware update.

Many PlayStation fans feared that Sony had introduced a check-in after a March 2026 firmware update, which added a 30-day valid license timer for newly-purchased PS4 games, and affects PS5 titles, as per game preservation source ‘Does it play?’ on X.

After a lot of backlash from fans in the immediate aftermath, Sony has addressed concerns with a representative telling Game File that “players can continue to access and play their purchased games as usual” and that a “one-time online check is required after purchase to confirm the game’s license, after which no further check-ins are needed”.

The news about 30-day license check-ins alarmed game preservationists and PlayStation fans over concerns that digital games may become unplayable if a console is offline for more than the requisite time.

Players who tested the theory found that setting a PS5 or PS4 as the “primary” console for a game (which is a Sony-authorized way to establish whether someone has the necessary digital rights to play a game or not) didn’t override this 30-day limit. This, therefore, led folks to believe that monthly DRM check-ins could be the new normal for PlayStation users.

Sony has since confirmed that this isn’t the case, but hasn’t said why the new rule was introduced in the first place. Some fans, including a helpful commenter on my previous post, theorized that it was to prevent exploits of Sony’s 14-day window for digital game returns, whereby gamers could buy a game, then go offline, nab the licence ID, then go back online and ask for a refund, and then essentially get the game for free. Sony hasn’t confirmed or denied if this is the case, though.

It had been feared that Sony wouldn’t immediately respond to such criticisms so quickly, especially after it had taken them weeks to deal with a prior issue with the console.

Several years ago, there was a hardware issue with the console’s internal clock – if the PS5’s internal CR2032 battery failed, then it would kill the machine’s internal clock, rendering games unplayable. Sony did fix this through system updates, although it took them several weeks to even admit the issue and offer fixes. However, ‘Does it play?’ on X believes this new restriction basically brings this problem back.

It had been posited that a 30-day check-in would have operated in a similar manner to Microsoft’s original intentions for the Xbox One. Microsoft originally wanted to ship the console with strict DRM involving daily internet check-ins to determine the legitimacy of games, although after intense backlash, it backed down and reversed its decision.

Up next: GTA 6 price is still unknown, as publisher Take-Two dodges the question

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

Three free PS Plus games – EA Sports FC 26, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Nine Sols – will be available to download for PlayStation Plus Essential subscribers from May 5. You can add these games to your library for free if you’re subscribed to Sony’s PS Plus Essential, PS Plus Premium, or PS Plus Extra service. Don’t forget to grab them before Monday, April 6; otherwise, you’ll miss out.

Don’t have PS Plus? Want to stop paying full price? Our PlayStation Plus discount code knocks off $10 versus what Sony charges.

PS Plus free games May 2026

• EA Sports FC 26 (PS5, PS4)

• Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (PS5)

• Nine Sols (PS5, PS4)

EA Sports FC 26

Choose between authentic and competitive gameplay prests, and put your dream squad to the test in EA Sports FC 26. Featuring 20,000+ players across 750+ clubs and national teams, in over 120+ stadiums and 35+ leagues. PlayStation Plus members will also receive a EA Sports FC 26 PlayStation Plus icons Pack as a special add-on entitlement.

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

A soulslike action RPG, explore a vast, interconnected world and battle cruel and twisted enemies in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. Discover hidden weapons and ancient firearms, learn new skills by defeating foes, and embrace the power of Wuchang’s affliction called the Feathering.

Nine Sols

Nine Sols is a hand-drawn 2D action-platformer with Sekiro-inspired combat. Explore a land once ruled by an ancient alien race and slay the 9 Sols in this lore-rich title.

About downloading PS Plus free games

You can download all three PlayStation games – and if you run out of storage space on the internal SSD, check out The Shortcut’s expert PS5 SSD upgrade how-to guide and best SSD for PS5.

The free PS Plus games for April 2026 will no longer be available on May 5, 2026, (if you added them to your PlayStation games library before the cut-off date, you can continue to play them, don’t worry). Note: these PS Plus games don’t have to be downloaded; just add them to your PlayStation games library before they expire from the PlayStation Store.

The primary reason to get a PS Plus membership is online multiplayer, but these ‘free games’ have rounded out the value of Sony’s online service. It helps PlayStation Plus compete with Microsoft’s more robust offering (see our Xbox Game Pass Ultimate review and save $20 with our Xbox Game Pass discount code) which has become a Netflix-like on-demand gaming service. That’s why PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now have merged to form PlayStation Plus Premium, PlayStation Plus Extra, and PlayStation Plus Essential.

How to get the PS Plus free games

1. Get PlayStation Plus through this discount code to save $10 (you can’t stack multiple years anymore, but your pre-paid code won’t expire if you find the deal tempting. You’ll be able to turn off auto-renew and redeem it when it does expire

2. Go to the PlayStation Plus tab on the PlayStation Store on your console

3. Add each of the four games to your library (you don’t have to download them but you do need to add them to your library)

4. You can also download them by logging into the PlayStation Store through the web and adding them to your library that way (it will be faster for some people)

You’ll be able to add the PlayStation Plus free games for May to your library until June 1. On that date, new games will take over, and you’ll lose your chance to add these games to your PlayStation library. Adding the PS Plus games to your library doesn’t require downloading them and therefore doesn’t take up any hard drive or PS5 SSD storage space.

Why you shouldn’t wait on PS Plus free games

Should you buy PlayStation Plus today for these games? While online multiplayer is essential for some people, the free games for $79.99 a year MSRP (but $45 a year with a PlayStation Plus discount code) seems like good value if you play PS5 (if you don’t have a console yet, check out the Target PS5, and Amazon PS5 restock guides along with the Sony Direct queue guide). This is despite the fact you don’t know if the PS Plus free games will be any good month-to-month.

But here’s why you should get them right away: You won’t be able to add the April 2026 free PS Plus games to your library after May 4. My expert advice is that if you don’t have a PlayStation Plus membership, get it today or before the end of the month to claim all of the PlayStation games this month and the next, and for the following ten months.

Can I keep PS Plus free games forever?

As long as you’re subscribed to PlayStation Plus, you can continue playing any free games added to your library. If you cancel your PS Plus subscription, all the PS Plus free games and DLC become inaccessible.

• Check out our PlayStation Premium review 👈

There is a caveat: if you resubscribe to PlayStation Plus at any point, the free games added to your library will become playable again. So it’s worth getting PlayStation Plus if the free game is to your liking and start accumulating a nice collection.

What were the past PS Plus free games?

If you missed out on past PS Plus games, there’s no way to turn back the clock. However, I can tell you the game list for the titles you missed.

PS Plus free games list April 2026

• Lords of Fallen

• Tomb Raider I-III Remastered

• Sword Art Online Fractured Daydream

PS Plus free games list March 2026

• PGA Tour 2K25

• Slime Rancher 2

• Monster Hunter Rise

• The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road Collection

PS Plus free games list February 2026

• Undisputed

• Subnautica: Below Zero

• Ultros

• Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

PS Plus free games list January 2026

• Need for Speed Unbound

• Disney’s Epic Mickey: Rebrushed

• Core Keeper

PS Plus free games list December 2025

• LEGO Horizon Adventures (PS5)

• Killing Floor 3 (PS5)

• The Outlast Trials (PS4, PS5)

• Neon White (PS4, PS5)

• Synduality Echo of Ada (PS5)

PS Plus free games list November 2025

• Stray

• EA Sports WRC 25

• Totally Accurate Battle Simulator

PS Plus free games list October 2025

• Alan Wake 2

• Goat Simulator 3

• Cocoon

PS Plus free games list September 2025

• Psychonauts 2

• Stardew Valley

• Viewfinder

PS Plus free games list August 2025

• Lies of P

• DayZ

• My Hero One’s Justice 2

PS Plus free games list July 2025

• Diablo IV

• King of Fighters XV

• Jusant

PS Plus free games list June 2025

• NBA 2K25

• Alone in the Dark

• Bombrush Cyberfunk

• Destiny 2: The Final Shape

PS Plus free games list May 2025

• Ark: Survival Ascended

• Balatro

• Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun

PS Plus free games list April 2025

• RoboCop: Rogue City

• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

• Digimon Story: Cybersleuth - Hacker’s Memory

PS Plus free games list March 2025

• Dragon Age: The Veilguard

• Sonic Colors Ultimate

• TMNT: The Cowabunga Collection

PS Plus free games list February 2025

• Payday 3

• High on Life

• Pac-Man World Re-Pac

PS Plus free games list January 2025

• Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

• Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered

• The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe

PS Plus free games list December 2024

• It Takes Two

• Aliens: Dark Descent

• TemTem

PS Plus free games list November 2024

• Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

• Ghostwire: Tokyo

• Death Note Killer Within

PS Plus free games list October 2024

• WWE 2K24

• Dead Space

• Doki Doki Literature Club Plus

PS Plus free games list September 2024

• Quidditch Champions

• MLB The Show 24

• Little Nightmares 2

PS Plus free games list August 2024

• LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

• Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach

• Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights

PS Plus free games list July 2024

• Borderlands 3

• NHL 24

• Among Us

PS Plus free games list June 2024

• SpongeBob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake

• Streets of Rage 4

• AEW Fight Forever

PS Plus free games list May 2024

• EA Sports FC 24

• Ghostrunner 2

• Tunic

• Destiny 2: Lightfall

PS Plus free games list April 2024

• Immortals of Aveum

• Minecraft Legends

• Skul: The Hero Slayer

PS Plus free games list March 2024

• F1 23

• Sifu

• Hello Neighbor 2

• Destiny 2: The Witch Queen

PS Plus free games list February 2024

• Foamstars

• Rollerdrome

• SteelRising

PS Plus free games list January 2024

• A Plague Tale: Requiem

• Evil West

• Nobody Saves the World

PS Plus free games list December 2023

• LEGO 2K Drive

• PowerWash Simulator

• Sable

PS Plus free games list November 2023

• Mafia 2: Definitive Edition

• Dragonball Z: The Breakers

• Aliens: Fireteam Elite

PS Plus free games list October 2023

• The Callisto Protocol

• Weird West

• Farming Simulator 22

PS Plus free games list September 2023

• Saints Row

• Black Desert: Traveler Edition

• Generation Zero

PS Plus free games list August 2023

• PGA 2K23

• Dreams

• Death’s Door

PS Plus free games list July 2023

• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

• Alan Wake

• Endling: Extinction is Forever

PS Plus free games list June 2023

• NBA 2K23

• Jurassic World Evolution 2

• Trek to Yomi

PS Plus free games list May 2023

• Grid Legends

• Chivalry 2

• Descenders

PS Plus free games list April 2023

• Meet Your Maker

• Sackboy: A Big Adventure

• Tails of Iron

PS Plus free games list March 2023

• Battlefield 2042

• Minecraft Dungeons

• Code Vein

PS Plus free games list February 2023

• OlliOlli World

• Mafia Definitive Edition

• Evil Dead: The Game

• Destiny 2: Beyond Light

PS Plus free games list January 2023

• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

• Fallout 76

• Axiom Verge 2

PS Plus free games list December 2022

• Mass Effect: Legendary Edition

• Biomutant

• Divine Knockout

PS Plus free games list November 2022

• Nioh 2 / Nioh 2 Remastered

• LEGO Harry Potter Collection

• Heavenly Bodies

PS Plus free games list October 2022

• Hot Wheels Unleashed

• Injustice 2

• Superhot

PS Plus free games list September 2022

• Toem

• Need for Speed Heat

• Granblue Fantasy: Versus

PS Plus free games list August 2022

• Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2

• Yakuza: Like a Dragon

• Little Nightmares

PS Plus free games list July 2022

• Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time

• Man of Medan

• Arcadegeddon

PS Plus free games list June 2022

• God of War

• Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl

• Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker

PS Plus free games list May 2022

• FIFA 22

• Curse of the Dead Gods

• Tribes of Midgard

PS Plus free games list April 2022

• Hood: Outlaws & Legends

• SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom – Rehydrated

• Slay the Spire

PS Plus free games list March 2022

• Ghostrunner (PS5)

• Sonic Team Racing

• Ark: Survival Evolved

• Ghost of Tsushima: Legends (PS4 or PS5)

PS Plus free games list February 2022

• UFC 4

• Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep

• Planet Rollercoaster (PS5)

PS Plus free games list January 2022

• Persona 5 Strikers

• Dirt 5

• Deep Rock Galactic

PS Plus free games list December 2021

• Godfall: Challenger Edition

• Lego DC Super-Villains

• Mortal Shell

• PSVR games: The Persistence, The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, Until You Fall

Are PSVR 2 games ever part of the PS Plus free games list?

Sony has released PSVR games as part of its PS Plus free games membership perk before, and thankfully it’s now added PSVR 2 games to the lineup. However, you’ll need to be a PS Plus Premium member to access these games. Sony may have been pushed by Meta to offer free PSVR 2 games, which launched its own subscription service called Meta Horizon Plus.

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Last updated: April 30, 2026

• 😬 Sony may have added similar DRM checks to the PS5 in a recent update to the ones that almost killed the Xbox One

• 👀 As part of a new March 2026 firmware update, Sony has allegedly added a background check for newly purchased games to check if the copy being booted is legitimate

• 🤔 Sony hasn’t acknowledged the issue yet, but has a previous history with game-breaking console issues, such as the issue with the internal CR2032 battery killing the console’s internal clock, which stopped games from running

• 😐 It also echoes the large backlash Microsoft faced with the Xbox One, which was originally going to ship with very strict DRM, before it reversed the decision

Sony may have just added similar DRM checks to the PS5, similar to the ones that almost killed the Xbox One over a decade ago.

That’s according to the discovery of a new online check-in from game preservation sources ‘Does it play?’ on X, which states tha, as a result of some new March 2026 firmware, “newly-purchased PS4 games now show a 30-day valid licence timer”. Strangely, this also affects PS5 titles, although it “only shows an error when starting a game”.

The suggestion is that Sony has added a background check for newly purchased games (from March 2026 onwards) to detect whether folks are booting a legitimate copy of a game, with a 30-day grace period should your console be offline.

In response, PS5 users have posted evidence of chat conversations with official PlayStation customer support about the issue, although to no avail, as the agents they spoke with didn’t seem to be fully briefed on the situation.

Fans have also compared this current DRM issue to a prior issue with the PS5 that left some games unable to function if the console’s internal CR2032 coin cell battery failed, which killed the machine’s internal clock. After quite the uproar, Sony eventually rolled out system updates to fix it.

It also echoes similar issues that occurred with the Xbox One launch over a decade ago, where Microsoft faced a monumental backlash against its initial idea to ship the console with strict DRM, with daily internet check-ins to check the legitimacy of games. Eventually, it reversed its decision.

Sony has also allegedly refused to acknowledge the current issue, according to some fans, which ‘Does it play?’ responded to, noting that Sony denied the existence of the CR2032 issue publicly, only to fix it a couple of weeks later. Let’s hope it’s a little more forthcoming on this latest potential problem.

Up next: Xbox Project Helix price will be affected by the memory crisis, new CEO admits

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 😍 The Killscreen custom PS5 controller features a translucent ice blue design, reminiscent of the N64’s beloved Funtastic colorway

• 💪 It offers significant hardware upgrades, including clicky mechanical face buttons, Omron hair triggers, and GuliKit TMR thumbsticks to prevent stick drift

• 🆚 While the fully modded controller is more expensive than the DualSense Edge, its enhanced buttons and triggers offer a superior feel for both competitive and casual gaming

• 🤷‍♂️ The controller has beautiful aesthetics and some welcome performance upgrades, though the recessed Create and Options buttons and lack of back paddles are minor drawbacks

Killscreen: Ice Blue PS5 controller

I developed a rather compulsive habit of collecting controllers over the last few years. But as more variants of the PS5 and Xbox controllers were released, my enthusiasm – like the funds in my bank account – slowly whittled away.

While some PS5 and Xbox controller colors are more eye-catching than others, nothing compares to the artistry that Killscreen, an independent gaming hardware studio, is creating. Not only does it make phenomenal-looking custom DualSense controllers, but it also improves upon the hardware itself.

After spotting Killscreen’s latest release, a translucent ice blue PS5 controller that’s identical to the beloved N64 colorway that I still proudly own, I knew I had to get my hands on one. And after putting the controller through its paces, it’s become a permanent fixture on my desk, either to game with, or to stare longingly at.

With optional clicky mechanical face buttons, Omron hair triggers for instant response, and GuliKit TMR thumbsticks to eliminate stick drift, you can significantly upgrade your Killscreen controller so that it leaves the standard PS5 DualSense controller, and even the DualSense Edge, in the dust.

Yes, it comes at a cost. A regular PS5 DualSense controller costs between $74.99 and $89.99 depending on the color, while a modded Killscreen controller starts at $139.99. If you want to add all the extras, expect to pay $208.

That’s more expensive than even Sony’s PS5 DualSense Edge controller, which costs $199.99, and you’re not getting any back buttons or added software features, either. However, the clicky face buttons and D-Pad are a joy to press, and gave me incredible consistency in Streets of Rage 4 whenever I performed a forward special.

For competitive first-person shooters, the Omron hair triggers also have practically zero travel, providing a mouse-like click which is superior to the DualSense Edge’s trigger locks that offer far too much travel for my liking.

It’s also worth highlighting the Funtastic Ice Blue PS5 controller’s wonderful analog sticks. The unit I was provided with included TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) thumbsticks for upgraded accuracy and peace of mind from stick drift ever developing. But cleverly, the ‌right analog stick mimics the feel of the N64’s analog stick, which is a delightful touch.

If there’s one downside about Killscreen’s gorgeous controller, though, it’s the Create and Options buttons. They’re too recessed, which makes them tricky and hard to press. I understand the decision behind it – you don’t want to mistakenly press them when you’re in the heat of the moment – but I’ve never done so myself.

I’d also love to see a version with back buttons, similar to Scuf’s controllers, and a way to switch between analog and the hair triggers, as it’s something you need in certain titles like racing games. If Killscreen’s controller had these features, I’d probably never need to grab another gamepad ever again.

But of course, a huge part of the Killscreen controller’s appeal is just how fantastic it looks. This gamepad is absolutely beautiful, invoking nostalgia while delivering modern hardware features that most controllers skimp on. I’ll find myself glancing over at now and then just to marvel at the stunning design, and that’s exactly what you want from a custom, collectable controller.

Up next: Best PS5 controller colors: every PlayStation 5 DualSense gamepad ranked

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🆕 Sony has unveiled another special edition PS5 controller

• 😳 It’s a special gold edition designed to tie in with the upcoming 007 First Light title

• 💰 The controller is priced at $84.99, the same as other recent special editions

• 📆 It’s scheduled to release on May 27 in the US after pre-orders go live on April 17

Sony is launching yet another special edition PS5 DualSense controller with a brand new limited edition option themed around one of the most hotly-anticipated titles of 2026.

The 007 First Light Edition PS5 controller is themed around IO Interactive’s long-awaited James Bond game, and features a gold colorway, complete with the 007 logo and barrel motif on its touchpad in the middle that extends across the faceplate.

As per a new blog post, Rasmus Poulsen, Franchise Art Director on 007 First Light, stated that this controller was “an opportunity to welcome James Bond back to gaming after more than 13 years in a way that felt instantly iconic.”

Its golden finish is designed to pay “tribute to the elegance, legacy, and timeless style of the franchise, while the barrel-inspired detailing reflects the themes of the game and how it feels to play it, as well as being a nod to one of pop culture’s most recognizable visual signatures.”

If you’ve been wondering how much this controller costs, when it comes out and where you can grab one, then read on as I’ve rounded up all the important details for you.

007 First Light Edition PS5 controller: price

Sony has attached an $84.99 price tag to this 007 First Light limited edition PS5 controller.

That sits in and around what we’d expect with these controllers, as other recent options, such as the Genshin Impact limited edition or the Marathon limited edition, which have the same retail price.

007 First Light Edition PS5 controller: pre-order date

Sony has provided a pre-order date for the 007 First Light controller of April 17. It’ll be available from Sony directly and “participating retailers”, according to the blog post.

That means we’ve got just about a week to wait until you’ll be able to get an order in. You’ll want to be quick, as we’ve seen other special edition controllers go very quickly in the past.

007 First Light Edition PS5 controller: release date

Sony has also provided a specific release date for the 007 First Light controller for the US at least, with availability from May 27, 2026, meaning it’s just over a month from pre-order to actual release.

Sony has unveiled a lot of fun special controllers recently, with exciting colorways for the God of War 20th Anniversary, plus others for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach and a range of accessories for Ghost of Yotei.

Up next: PlayerBase is a new initiative from Sony that puts your face in PS5 games

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 😮 Sony is offering longstanding PlayStation fans the chance to get their face into some of the biggest games on the platform

• ✍️ As part of the new PlayerBase initiative, fans will have to submit a questionnaire to the brand that includes questions on the impact PlayStation has had on them

• 🚗 The first game its opening for is Gran Turismo 7, where the winner will appear as an in-game character that the player interacts with

• 🌎 Applications are open now to those in “select markets” across America, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and Australia

Sony is giving PlayStation fans the chance to get their faces into some of its biggest games as part of its new PlayerBase initiative.

As per a new blog post, Sony says that this is a “unique opportunity for PlayStation’s biggest fans to step into some of the biggest game worlds by having their likeness scanned.”

The first game to be supported is racer Gran Turismo 7, and applications are now open for those in “select markets” across America, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and Australia.

The application process is a simple questionnaire, where Sony is asking for your name, age, and location, plus a box where it asks for you to share a story about how PlayStation has impacted your life.

As the blog post explains, “You could tell us about when your older sibling first handed you the controller, unwrapping your first console, staying up for a midnight launch, why a character’s arc meant something to you, the soundtrack you’ve never stopped going back to - or something else entirely.”

Once applications have been closed, Sony says it’ll ask a “limited” and unspecified number of finalists to participate in video interviews, where you’ll go through a second round of questioning, and be asked to explain your “connection to PlayStation”.

The chosen finalist then has the opportunity to be taken out to a visual arts studio in Los Angeles, where they’ll get face scanned to appear in GT7.

Sony says the winner will appear for a limited time as an in-game character portrait similarly to how other characters are presented throughout the game as people the player interacts with.

There is also another part to the prize, as the winner also gets to meet a designer, who they’ll collaborate with on a custom Fantasy logo and a “one-of-a-kind” vehicle livery that’ll be permanently added to the GT7 Showcase menu.

Up next: PS5 stealth update makes the console’s UI look more like the PS4’s

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 📈 Sony’s meant to be putting the price up of the PS5 Pro today

• 😮 The MSRP is going up to $899 from the current $749 price tag

• 🚨 Now’s probably your very last chance to get the console for the old price, as deals are still floating around at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy

• 🤷‍♂️ Sony has blamed “global pressures” for rising prices for the PS5 Pro, standard PS5, and the PlayStation Portal.

Walmart: PS5 Pro

Best Buy: PS5 Pro

GameStop: PS5 Pro

Amazon: PS5 Pro

Today’s technically the day that the PS5 Pro price is set to rise by an astronomical amount, making the console $899 as opposed to the current $749 MSRP, although you can still ‘save’ $150 at a few retailers.

Sony revealed a few days ago that a PS5 price increase is due today, April 2, taking the console up in price by some 20%. It’s also the second price rise since the console launched at $699.99. Since launch, this console has increased by $200.

Best PS5 Pro deals

As it stands, even though the price was due to rise today, various retailers are still carrying the most powerful PS5 variant for a more reasonable asking price than the $899 MSRP it’s going up to soon.

Amazon had it for under $700, but the best price we can see at the moment is $738.11 for a ‘Used - Like New’ one with 11 in stock, with varying others going up in price.

For a new one from retail, Walmart still has the PS5 Pro for the $749 sticker price, while you may well also be able to get it from your local Best Buy through pickup at $749.99.

GameStop’s PS5 Pro price has shot up to $849.99, so you’re best sticking to Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for the best prices as things stand.

• PS5 Pro at Amazon: $738.11

• PS5 Pro at Walmart: $749

• PS5 Pro at Best Buy: $749.99

• PS5 Pro at GameStop: $849.99

How much is the PS5 Pro price increase?

As mentioned above, it’s important to note that Sony isn’t raising the price of the PS5 Pro by a small amount – the $150 increase is a substantial one.

The PS5 Pro isn’t the only console Sony is raising the price of, either, as the digital and disc editions of the standard PS5 are going up by $100 apiece.

Walmart: PS5

Best Buy: PS5

GameStop: PS5

Amazon: PS5

The PS5 Disc Edition will be $650 (from $550), and the Digital Edition will be $600 (up from $550) from April 2.

To make matters worst, the PlayStation Portal handheld is also going up by $50 to a new price of $249 – it was previously $199.

Walmart: PlayStation Portal

Best Buy: PlayStation Portal

GameStop: PlayStation Portal Black

Why is Sony raising the PS5 Pro’s price?

We’ve heard it all before, but Sony is citing “global pressures” as to why prices are rises are being implemented. In an explanation posted on the PlayStation blog, the Japanese electronics giant said:

“With continued pressures in the global economic landscape, we’ve made the decision to increase the prices of PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal remote player globally. We know that price changes impact our community, and after careful evaluation, we found this was a necessary step to ensure we can continue delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences to players worldwide.”

Up next: PS Plus free games: April 2026 list detailed with new PS5 titles

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 🚨 The PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition increase in price tomorrow

• 📈 From April 2, the price of the console is going up to $649 from the current $549 MSRP

• 💰 The PS5 Digital Edition will cost $599.99 instead of $499.99

• 📆 The PlayStation 5 originally launched for $499.99 in November 2020

Walmart: PS5

Best Buy: PS5

GameStop: PS5

Amazon: PS5

You’ll have to pay $100 more for a PS5 or PS5 Digital Edition from tomorrow, as Sony is increasing the price of both consoles on April 2.

Sony announced that a PS5 price increase was on the way, hiking the price of all its consoles by up to $150. The PS5 Disc model will soon cost $649.99 (up from $549.99) and the PS5 Digital Edition is also increasing by $100 to $599.99 (was $499.99).

The price increases come on top of previous hikes, which saw both consoles increase by $50 in August last year.

If you’ve been waiting to purchase a PS5, now is the time as it’s unlikely the price will drop by $100 or more during Black Friday.

Best PS5 deals

If you buy a PS5 today, you’re saving yourself $100 before the price hike hits. Various retailers still have the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Digital Edition at the current price, though that will change tomorrow.

No retailer is undercutting the current MSRP, but remember, you’ll have to pay $100 more for the PS5 Disc Edition or Digital Edition from midnight tonight.

• PS5 at Walmart: $549

• PS5 Digital Edition at Walmart: $499

• PS5 at Amazon: $549

• PS5 Digital Edition at Amazon: $499

• PS5 at Best Buy: $549.99

• PS5 Digital Edition at Best Buy: $499.99

• PS5 at GameStop: $549.99

• PS5 Digital Edition at GameStop: $499.99

How much is the PS5 price increase?

Sony announced that the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition’s price will rise to $649.99 and $599 respectively, up from $549 and $499. It’s worth noting that the PS5 launched for $499.99 in November 2020, and the PS5 Digital Edition was $399.99.

Sony released a PS5 “Slim” version in 2024 and increased the internal storage from 825GB to 1TB. However, it’s since lowered the internal storage of the PS5 Slim Digital Edition back to 825GB in Europe.

Why is Sony raising the PS5’s price?

Sony is blaming “global pressures” for the PS5 price hikes. In a post on the PlayStation blog, the Japanese electronics giant had the following to say:

“With continued pressures in the global economic landscape, we’ve made the decision to increase the prices of PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal remote player globally. We know that price changes impact our community, and after careful evaluation, we found this was a necessary step to ensure we can continue delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences to players worldwide.”

Up next: PlayStation Portal deals: you have less than 24 hours to save $50 on Sony’s PS5 handheld

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🚨 A price rise for the PlayStation Portal comes into effect tomorrow, April 2nd

• 📈 From April 2, the price of Sony’s handheld goes up from $199 to $249

• 💰 Sony has said “global pressures” have caused the price hike

• 📆 The PlayStation Portal has been $199.99 since it launched in November 2023

Walmart: PlayStation Portal

Walmart: PlayStation Portal Black

Best Buy: PlayStation Portal

Best Buy: PlayStation Portal Black

GameStop: PlayStation Portal Black

If you’ve been eyeing up the PlayStation Portal, Sony’s pseudo-PS5 portable, you’ll want to pick it up today, not tomorrow.

Sony shared that a PS5 price increase would come into effect on April 2, hiking the price of all its consoles, as well as the PlayStation Portal. From tomorrow, the PlayStation Portal will no longer retail for its previous $199 price point and will instead cost $249.99.

It means even with future deals, you’ll still likely end up paying more than if you purchased it today for $199. If you want to play your favorite PS5 games away from the console, you’ll want to pick up a PlayStation Portal today.

Best PlayStation Portal deals

Don’t overpay for the PlayStation Portal. As of writing, you can still get Sony’s handheld for its MSRP of $199.99 at the following retailers. Walmart has a “low stock” warning on both the white and Midnight Black models, so you’ll want to act fast. Amazon also doesn’t have any new stock, only offering “Used: Very Good” options from Amazon Resale. However, GameStop has already raised the price slightly to $209.99 for the white model ahead of tomorrow’s increase.

• PlayStation Portal at Walmart - $199

• PlayStation Portal Midnight Black at Walmart - $199

• PlayStation Portal at Walmart - $199.99

• PlayStation Portal Midnight Black at Best Buy - $199.99

• PlayStation Portal at GameStop - $209.99

• PlayStation Portal Midnight Black at GameStop - $199.99

• PlayStation Portal Used at Amazon - $162.86

• PlayStation Portal Midnight Black Used at Amazon - $171.04

How much is the PlayStation Portal price increase?

The PlayStation Portal will cost $50 more from April 2. That’s up from the $199.99 launch price the handheld has remained at since 2023. It also means that when Black Friday rolls around, it’s unlikely the console will beat the $199.99 price we’ve been used to.

Why is Sony raising the PlayStation Portal’s price?

We’ve grown used to this explanation, as Sony has cited “global pressures” as to why the PlayStation Portal is going up in price. As detailed on the PlayStation blog, the Japanese company said:

“With continued pressures in the global economic landscape, we’ve made the decision to increase the prices of PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal remote player globally. We know that price changes impact our community, and after careful evaluation, we found this was a necessary step to ensure we can continue delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences to players worldwide.”

Up next: PS5 Pro deals: today’s the last chance to get Sony’s souped-up PlayStation 5 for less

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🚨 A price rise for the PS5 Pro takes place tomorrow, April 2nd

• 📈 After April 2, the price of the console is going up to $899 from the current $749 MSRP

• 💰 Sony has blamed “global pressures” for the price rise

• 📆 The PS5 Pro originally launched for $699 in November 2024

Walmart: PS5 Pro

Best Buy: PS5 Pro

GameStop: PS5 Pro

Amazon: PS5 Pro

Don’t miss your chance to get the PS5 Pro for less, as from tomorrow, you’ll have to pay $150 more for Sony’s powerful PlayStation 5.

Sony revealed that a PS5 price increase would come into effect on April 2, hiking the price of all its consoles. However, it’s the PS5 Pro that’s most affected, with a steep increase from $749 (up from the launch price of $699.99) to $899.99. That’s a 20% increase.

You have less than 24 hours to get the PS5 Pro for its current price, otherwise be prepared to pay significantly more.

Best PS5 Pro deals

You’ll need to act quickly to ensure you don’t pay more for the PS5 Pro. Thankfully, various retailers still have Sony’s powerful PlayStation 5 for the current price. Amazon had the price at $696.57, though it’s since gone up to $712.18, which is still the best price. GameStop has already raised the price by $100, so you’re best getting the PS5 Pro from Walmart, Best Buy or Amazon.

• PS5 Pro at Amazon: $712.18

• PS5 Pro at Walmart: $749

• PS5 Pro at Best Buy: $749.99

• PS5 Pro at GameStop: $849.99

How much is the PS5 Pro price increase?

It’s worth reiterating that this isn’t just a small price increase. Sony announced that the PS5 Pro’s price will rise to $899.99 from the current $749.99 MSRP – that’s a hefty $150 increase, and that’s on top of the previous $50 price increase that took place last year.

Alongside the PS5 Pro’s price increase, Sony also shared that the standard console, both in digital and disc editions, are going up by $100 each.

The PS5 Disc Edition will be $650 (from $550), and the Digital Edition will be $600 (up from $550) from April 2.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the price of the PlayStation Portal is also going up to $249 from a previous price of $199. Ouch.

Why is Sony raising the PS5 Pro’s price?

We’ve heard it all before, but Sony is citing “global pressures” as to why prices are rises are being implemented. As per a longer post on the PlayStation blog, the Japanese electronics giant had the following to say:

“With continued pressures in the global economic landscape, we’ve made the decision to increase the prices of PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal remote player globally. We know that price changes impact our community, and after careful evaluation, we found this was a necessary step to ensure we can continue delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences to players worldwide.”

Up next: Every PS5 Pro game with PSSR 2 support

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🚨 Sony has announced an impending price rise for the PS5 Pro, effective April 2nd

• 📈 As a result, the price of the console is going up to $899 from the current $749 MSRP

• 💰 Sony is citing “global pressures” for the price rise that has also affected the standard PS5 and PlayStation Portal

• 👆 The PS5 Disc and Digital Editions are up by $100, too, to $650 and $600, respectively

Walmart: PS5 Pro

Best Buy: PS5 Pro

GameStop: PS5 Pro

Amazon: PS5 Pro

If you’ve been thinking of picking up a PS5 Pro, then you’ve only got a few days left before the current purchase is going to cost a lot more.

Sony announced a PS5 price increase last week, after price hikes had affected the PS5 Digital Edition in other regions last year.

It means that on April 2, the PS5 Pro will increase from its $749.99 price tag (up from the launch price of $699.99), to $899.99. That’s a $150 price hike.

Best PS5 Pro deals

You’ll want to act quickly to ensure you don’t pay more than you’ll need to, and various retailers still have Sony’s powerful PlayStation 5 for the current price. Amazon has the best current price at $696.57, while GameStop has already raised the price by $100.

• PS5 Pro at Walmart: $749

• PS5 Pro at Best Buy: $749.99

• PS5 Pro at GameStop: $849.99

• PS5 Pro at Amazon: $696.57

How much is the PS5 Pro going to be?

Sony has announced that the PS5 Pro’s price will rise to $899 from the current $749 MSRP – that’s a hefty $150 increase.

Alongside the hefty rise to the PS5 Pro, Sony also announced concurrent rises for the standard console, both in digital and disc editions.

The PS5 Disc Edition will go to $650 (from $550), and the Digital Edition will be $600 (up from $550). It’s the first time either has risen in the USA, although it is the second price increase in a year for the Digital Edition elsewhere in the world.

The price of the PlayStation Portal is also going up to $250 from a previous price of $200.

Why is Sony raising prices for the PS5 Pro?

In short, Sony is citing “global pressures” as to why prices are rises are being implemented. As per a longer post on the PlayStation blog, the Japanese firm had the following to say:

“With continued pressures in the global economic landscape, we’ve made the decision to increase the prices of PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal remote player globally. We know that price changes impact our community, and after careful evaluation, we found this was a necessary step to ensure we can continue delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences to players worldwide.”

Up next: Every PS5 Pro game with PSSR 2 support

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 📈 Sony is increasing the price of the PS5, PS5 Digital Edition, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal starting April 2, 2026

• 😱 The PS5 Pro will see the largest jump, increasing by $150 to $899.99, while the standard PS5 and Digital Edition will rise by $100 and $150, respectively

• 💰 The PlayStation Portal remote player will also increase in price by $50 to $249.99

• 🤷‍♂️ Sony attributes the price hike to “continued pressures in the global economic landscape”

Walmart: PS5 Pro

Best Buy: PS5 Pro

GameStop: PS5 Pro

Amazon: PS5 Pro

Sony has announced a new PS5 price increase that impacts the PS5, PS5 Digital Edition, PS5 Pro, and even the PlayStation Portal.

The price increase is significant, taking the PS5, which originally launched for $499.99, to $649.99 in the US on April 2, 2026.

The PS5 Digital Edition will cost $599.99, up from its 2020 launch day price of $449.99, and the PS5 Pro, which launched for $699.99 in November 2024, is increasing to $899.99. That’s a $150 increase over the previous bump to $749.99.

Here’s a quick recap of the new PS5 price increase:

• PS5 – $649.99 (was $549.99)

• PS5 Digital Edition – $599.99 (was $499.99)

• PS5 Pro – $899.99 (was $749.99)

Sony recently raised the price of the PS5 in August last year, but it was only a rise of $50 across each model. This latest PS5 price hike sees $100 to $150 added on to the RRP.

Unfortunately, it’s not just the PlayStation 5 consoles that are impacted. The PlayStation Portal is also getting a $50 price increase and will now cost $249.99 instead of $199.99.

In a statement on the official PlayStation Blog, Sony explained why it’s bumping up prices yet again.

“With continued pressures in the global economic landscape, we’ve made the decision to increase the prices of PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal remote player globally. We know that price changes impact our community, and after careful evaluation, we found this was a necessary step to ensure we can continue delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences to players worldwide.”

If you haven’t bought a PS5 console yet, or have been waiting to pick up a PS5 Pro, you’ll want to order one before April 2, 2026, or wind up paying $100 to $150 more.

Up next: Netflix price increase: here’s how much you’ll have to pay soon

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 📆 Starfield is launching on PS5 on April 7, 2026, ending its console exclusivity to Xbox

• 🚀 The PS5 launch will be accompanied by two free content updates: Free Lanes and Terran Armada

• 🆕 The Free Lanes update introduces “cruise mode” for faster travel and allows interaction with crew while en route

• 🔫 Free Lanes also adds “X-Tech” resource for upgrading gear to the new Exotic quality tier

Starfield is coming to PS5 on April 7, 2026, Bethesda has announced.

Starfield has remained exclusive to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC since its release on September 6, 2023, and it’s arguably the last big former Xbox exclusive to go multiplatform.

Players can also look forward to the Free Lanes and Terran Armada content updates on April 7. Free Lanes is the “biggest update” since launch, according to Bethesda, and lets you fly from location to location via cruise mode. You can interact with your crew while you’re travelling to a destination, and will be alerted to combat incidents mid-flight.

Free Lanes also adds a new resource called “X-Tech”, which lets you enhance your ship and weapons to higher quality tiers. You can take a weapon from Legendary to Exotic, and new perks are also available to try that give you an edge in battle.

Players can look forward to new vehicles, companions, and a brand-new story content in the form of the Terran Armada.

Starfield is one of several games that will take advantage of Nvidia’s new, and rather controversial, DLSS 5 AI model, which injects photorealistic lighting and materials into a game.

Up next: Nvidia says game developers have ‘artistic control’ over the AI modeling in DLSS 5

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🎮 New PlayStation Portal update introduces a 1080p High Quality Mode for improved streaming via Remote Play or Cloud Streaming

• 👍 The High Quality Mode uses a higher bitrate than the default 1080p Standard mode for a smoother experience

• 👏 The update includes UX refinements such as improved game invite/trophy notifications and better bundle selection/search functionality

• 📆 The update rolls out globally starting tomorrow, March 18

Walmart: PlayStation Portal

Best Buy: PlayStation Portal

GameStop: PlayStation Portal

Amazon: PlayStation Portal

Sony is releasing a new PlayStation Portal update that promises to improve the streaming quality when using Remote Play or Cloud Streaming.

Players can select a 1080p High Quality Mode, which Sony says will let “players enjoy games at a higher bitrate compared to the default 1080p Standard mode, providing a smooth and high-fidelity experience.”

To enable the new mode, you’ll need to head to the ‘Quick Menu’, ‘Max Resolution’, and select ‘1080p High Quality’ during a Remote Play or Cloud Streaming session. To apply the change, simply restart your session.

Sony is also refining the Cloud Streaming experience on PlayStation Portal by improving game invite and trophy notifications. It’ll also be easier to select a specific game to stream when selecting a bundle, and searching will bring up the On Screen Keyboard immediately.

Sony shared that since November 2025, Cloud Streaming users grew by 162% year-over-year in January, and over 50% of PS Portal users are now PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers – a prerequisite if you want to access Cloud Streaming.

The new PlayStation Portal update begins rolling out globally tomorrow, March 18, and Sony said it’s committed to continuously refining the performance and usability of its pseudo-handheld.

Up next: Every PS5 Pro game with PSSR 2 support

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🎮 Sony is releasing a “PC Ready” DualSense controller, which is essentially the standard PS5 controller packaged with a longer USB cable for wired PC use

• 🤔 The controller’s release is surprising given recent reports suggesting Sony is reducing its support for PC releases

• 🤷‍♂️ Unconfirmed reports indicate Sony plans to keep future single-player exclusives on PS5, while continuing to launch multiplayer titles on both PS5 and PC

• 📉 The reported strategy change follows mixed results from previous PC ports and a fear that early PC releases devalue the PS5 console

Best Buy: PC Ready DualSense controller

Sony is releasing a PS5 DualSense controller that’s specially aimed at PC players, even though rumors have been circulating that the Japanese company may be pulling back support for the platform.

The ‘PC Ready’ DualSense controller is essentially the PS5 gamepad we know and love. However, it includes a longer USB cable and costs $74.99. It’s available now from Best Buy.

The PS5 DualSense controller is already compatible with PC via Bluetooth, but some games require a wired connection to take full advantage of the controller’s features, like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.

It’s a slightly misleading product then, as again, there are no specific changes with this DualSense controller, other than the accompanying 1.5m USB-C to USB-C cable.

It’ll still be up to a developer whether a game supports the DualSense controller natively, and you’ll more than likely have to use it wired if you want to experience haptic feedback and the adaptive triggers.

The timing has certainly raised eyebrows after Bloomberg reported that Sony has decided to change its approach to PC releases.

Reports suggest that Sony will continue to release multiplayer titles on PC and PS5, like Marathon. However, single-player games that the company is famed for will no longer come to PC and will remain exclusive to console.

Ports of Ghost of Yotēi and Saros were apparently in the works, but these have now been shelved. The decision comes as Sony has seen mixed results with its PC releases and fear that putting PS5 exclusives on PC a year or so later has devalued the appeal of its console.

The move would be quite the U-turn on Sony’s part, particularly as we’ve seen several PC-specific hardware launches such as monitors and the upcoming Pulse Elevate wireless speakers. Sony has even spent time making some PC games more PS5-like, with Trophy support and the ability to see your friends list, and released a PlayStation Accessories app.

With the PC market continuing to grow and become an essential revenue source for some companies (Capcom revealed that 50% of its sales are now on PC), it’ll be interesting to see whether Sony’s gamble pays off, or whether it stays the course with its current strategy.

Up next: How to use the PS5 DualSense Edge on PC: the ultimate guide

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🆕 Sony is rolling out a new version of PSSR, it’s PS5 Pro upscaler, next month

• 🧟 It’s already being used in Resident Evil Requiem

• 😍 The new upscaler will provide better image quality in PS5 games that use PSSR

• 🎚️ A toggle will also be available, letting you turn it on or off

Walmart: PS5 Pro

Best Buy: PS5 Pro

GameStop: PS5 Pro

Amazon: PS5 Pro

It’s been teased for a while, but Sony has finally revealed when it will roll out its new and improved PSSR upscaler for PlayStation 5 Pro – and we don’t have long to wait.

An upgraded version of PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) is rolling out to PS5 Pro players in the coming weeks, and promises to provide higher image quality than before. That means less aliasing and visible artifacts, and a closer match to AMD’s FSR 4 and Nvidia’s DLSS 4.5 technology.

The first game to feature the new version of PSSR for PS5 Pro is Resident Evil Requiem. Sony has been working with Capcom to implement the new upscaler, who shared an insight into the improvements it offers.

“With Resident Evil Requiem, we focused on enhancing the presentation quality of the protagonist through an upgraded version of RE Engine to deepen the player’s immersion in horror. For example, each individual strand of hair and beard is rendered as a polygon, allowing it to move realistically in response to body motion and wind. The way light passes through his hair changes depending on how the strands of hair are overlapped as well. This detailed expression of texture is one of the many details that we would especially love for our fans to see.

The upgraded PSSR has allowed us to elevate our expressiveness by successfully processing these details and textural particularities, which are traditionally difficult to upscale because of their intricacy. We hope you will experience this unprecedented level of horror and visual fidelity, and the new gameplay feel it delivers.” – Masaru Ijuin, senior manager engine development support section R&D foundational technology department, Capcom

Sony’s blog post states that the new version of PSSR was created in conjunction with AMD, and builds on AMD’s FSR 4 upscaling technology.

More news about PS5 Pro’s PSSR will be announced in March, but Sony shared that multiple existing games will support the upgrade, and that there will also be a “Enhance PSSR Image Quality” toggle in the settings, which will let you experience the new version in supported games.

Up next: Resident Evil Requiem review: an enthralling combination of nail-biting horror and explosive action

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• ☹️ Sony has taken the decision to shutter Bluepoint Games

• 👎 The studio’s closure means 70 employees will be impacted when it occurs next month

• 🗡️ Bluepoint Games was best known for the remasters of Shadow of the Colossus and Demon’s Souls from 2018 and 2020

• 😖 Bluepoint was acquired by Sony in 2021, although it didn’t release or announce any new games

Sony has decided to shutter Bluepoint Games, the studio famed for its remakes of both Shadow of the Colossus for PS4 and Demon’s Souls for PS5 in recent years.

According to a report from Bloomberg, approximately 70 employees will be impacted by the closure when it occurs next month.

A PlayStation spokesperson told Bloomberg that “Bluepoint Games is an incredibly talented team and their technical expertise has delivered exceptional experiences for the PlayStation community… We thank them for their passion, creativity and craftmanship.”

An email from PlayStation CEO Hermen Hulst explaining the decision was also shared on Resetera:

Hello everyone,
I wanted to share an important update from the Studio Business.

As I mentioned in the December Town Hall, 2025 had some strong highlights within PlayStation Studios. Ghost of Yōtei launched to critical and commercial success, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach further showcased our commitment to narrative excellence, and Helldivers 2 and MLB The Show continue to drive on-going player engagement and revenue.

At the same time, we're operating in an increasingly challenging industry environment. Rising development costs, slowed industry growth, changing player behavior, and broader economic headwinds are making it harder to build games sustainably.

To navigate this reality, we need to continue adapting and evolving. We've taken a close look at our business to ensure we're delivering today while still well-positioned for the future. As a result, we will be closing Bluepoint Games in March.

This decision was not made lightly. Bluepoint is an incredibly talented team and their technical expertise has delivered exceptional experiences for the PlayStation community. I want to thank everyone at Bluepoint for their creativity, craftsmanship, and commitment to quality. Where possible, we will work to find opportunities for some impacted employees within our global network of studios.
While I know this is hard news to hear, I'm confident in the direction we're headed. Creativity, innovation, and building unforgettable experiences for players remain at the heart of PlayStation Studios. We have a robust roadmap for FY26, with much to look forward to in the months ahead.

Thank you for your hard work and continued support.

Best,
Hermen Hulst
CEO, Studio Business Group

Bluepoint had previously been working on a live-service God of War game up until January 2025 when the project was cancelled. The studio then spent the rest of 2025 pitching new projects to Sony, and was then shuttered before it could release a new title.

Bluepoint Games was founded in 2006 by former Retro Studios employees, and had worked closely with Sony for nearly two decades on PlayStation games, including the God of War Collection, Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, and Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection.

It also worked as a support studio on ports of games such as Flower, PlayStation All-Stars and Titanfall, in conjunction with other developers.

The studio was best known for its remakes of Shadow of the Colossus and Demon’s Souls in 2018 and 2020, respectively, that were especially well-received by critics and fans alike.

After the success of Demon’s Souls, which is still one of the best PS5 games, Sony purchased Bluepoint Games in 2021. The studio helped with some co-development work on God of War Ragnarok under Sony’s stewardship, but didn’t produce anything new or announce any new games after that.

Up next: Xbox introduces a clever postgame recap feature for PC users

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

• 📆 The PS6 release date may be delayed until 2028 or 2029 due to an ongoing global RAM shortage, pushing back previous 2027 estimates

• 💰 Nintendo is reportedly considering a price increase for the Switch 2 later this year, potentially affecting its $449.99 launch price

• 🤖 The RAM shortage, exacerbated by AI demand, is affecting multiple tech companies, including Nvidia, which is reportedly delaying new graphics cards

• 🤔 AMD suggested a 2027 release for the next Xbox, which would precede the delayed PS6 launch

It’s getting harder to predict when the PS6 release date will be, as the ongoing RAM shortage is having a widespread impact on upcoming tech devices and their prices.

According to a new report from Bloomberg, Sony is considering whether to push the release of the PS6 back to 2028 or even 2029. Previous estimates suggested the PS6 would release in 2027, but it seems like that will no longer be the case.

A later release may please those who believe the PS5 still has plenty of life left in it yet, or for those who recently picked up Sony’s mid-gen refresh console, the PS5 Pro. However, a 2029 release would mean the PS5 would be approaching nine years on sale.

The latest PS6 rumors suggest the console could ship with 30GB of memory, which is almost double the 16GB found inside the PS5.

It’s not only Sony that may be affected by the surging demand and price of memory. Bloomberg believes that Nintendo is contemplating a price increase for the Switch 2 later this year, which has so far remained at its launch price of $449.99.

Prior to the memory shortages caused by AI, Sony and Microsoft increased the price of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles to combat tariffs, and even Nintendo raised the price of the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch OLED, and various Switch 2 accessories.

However, with even Nvidia reportedly pushing back the launch of its next-generation graphics cards, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the likes of Sony follow suit. Interestingly, AMD inadvertently shared that we could see the next Xbox in 2027, which would give Microsoft a head start of the PlayStation 6 if the release timings turn out to be true.

Up next: Sony patents a special touchscreen PlayStation controller that could release alongside the PS6

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.

• 🆕 Sony has announced a new God of War game in a surprise move

• 🤔 It’s a 2D side-scroller called God of War: Sons of Sparta that’s available now

• 💰 The game costs $29.99, and has been developed by Sony’s Santa Monica studio and Mega Cat Studios

• 🙌 During the State of Play, it was revealed that a remake of the original God of War trilogy is also in development

Sony has announced that there’s a new God of War game out now, but it isn’t what you think.

Right at the end of the February 2026 State of Play presentation, Sony unveiled God of War: Sons of Sparta, a new 2D side-scroller in the franchise that’s a prequel to the main games.

As per Sony’s description, God of War: Sons of Sparta is a “2D action platformer with a canon story set in Kratos’ youth during his harsh training at the Agoge alongside his brother Deimos.

“Over the course of the game, Kratos will learn deadly skills using his spear and shield, as well as harness powerful divine artifacts known as the Gifts of Olympus to take on a wide array of foes.”

Sony’s Santa Monica collaborated on Sons of Sparta with Mega Cat Studios. It’s available now for $29.99. There is also a Digital Deluxe version for $39.99.

Alongside the announcement of Sons of Sparta, Sony also announced that it is working on a remake of the original God of War trilogy with TC Carson set to return as the voice of Kratos.

Sony’s announcement stressed patience with fans, as the project is “still very early in development”, so it “will be a while before anything else can be shared. As per Sony, “When we can come back with an update, we aim to make it a big one!”

It’s been a busy time for God of War in recent months, as the upcoming Amazon Prime TV series has found its Kratos, too.

Up next: Highguard may be about to suffer the same fate as PS5’s Concord, as the developer lays off ‘most’ of its staff

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Reece Bithrey is a journalist with bylines for Trusted Reviews, Digital Foundry, PC Gamer, TechRadar and more. He also has his own blog, UNTITLED, and graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in International History and Politics in 2023.

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6:13pm ET: And that, ladies and gentlemen, is all she wrote. What did you think of today’s State of Play? We didn’t get any new hardware, nor was there an update on the PS5 Pro PSSR update. We also didn’t really get any blockbuster reveals, aside from a God of War prequel of sorts. Happy? Angry? Sound off in the poll below and thank you for joining me for this live blog. See you all soon!

6:12pm ET: However, in honor of God of War’s 20th Anniversary, we’re getting a passion project that’s a retro-looking side-scrolling beat ‘em up that tells the story of Kratos before he became the Ghost of Sparta. It’s called God of War: Sons of Sparta and it’s out… today!

6:08pm ET: Now that’s more like it. A God of War Trilogy Remake is coming and its stars the original God of War, TC Carson. Disappointingly, Carson reveals that the project is still in early development.

6:06pm ET: Okay, false alarm, there are more trailers. Sony is giving us another look at its big fighting game push, Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls. Remember Sony is even releasing its own fighting stick, so it really wants this to be a success. The game is out August 6.

6:04pm ET: Is this the show closer? Housemarque’s spiritual successor to Returnal, Saros, is up next. As much as I loved Returnal, I’m not sure Saros is strong enough to end one of the longest State of Play’s Sony has ever done. And judging by the YouTube comments, I’m not the only one. Saros is out April 30.

5:59pm ET: Sony is showing what’s coming to PS Plus soon. We’ve got Spider-Man 2 entering the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, Tekken Resurrection for PSP entering the classics catalog, and Big Walk coming to PS Plus.

5:57pm ET: A new trailer for Marathon, which seems to show more of the game’s story, so to speak. The extraction, team-based shooter is out March 5 and the pressure for it to do well after the failures of Concord and Highguard is huge, to put it mildly.

5:55pm ET: Now this looks quite lovely, a John Wick game, voiced by Keanu Reeves himself. It’s been created in collaboration between Lionsgate and franchise director Chad Stahelski.

5:52pm ET: Something a little more upbeat now. Rev.Noir, a brand new JRPG title with anime stylings, is in development for PS5. Expect more updates in the future.

5:50pm ET: We’re getting a look at a new first person Silent Hill game now called Silent Hill: Townfall. It looks like quite the departure from what we’re used to and is being developed by Annapurna Interactive. It’s out in 2026.

5:45pm ET: A new Castlevania game, anyone? Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is coming in 2026 and looks like it captures the essence of the side-scrolling action game nicely. Could be one to keep an eye on for fans of the series.

5:44pm ET: Darwin’s Paradox, a game where you guide an octopus through many trials and tribulations, is out April 2. There’s also a Metal Gear Solid-inspired crossover, which is kind of fun.

5:41pm ET: This is a nice surprise. Konami is also bumping the resolution of the original Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 3 in the first Metal Gear Solid Collection: Volume 1 so players can enjoy much sharper visuals.

5:40pm ET: Time for some Konami games now. Oh, yes! Metal Gear Solid 4 is finally free from its PS3 prison and will be part of the Metal Gear Solid Collection: Volume 2 Master Collection. The collection will also include Metal Gear Solid: Peacewalker that released on PSP. It’s out August 28.

5:37pm ET: Another look at IO Interactive’s 007 First Light. James Bond fans don’t have long to wait, as it’s out on May 27.

5:36pm ET: Now that’s Pod Racing! Star Wars: Galactic Racer could be the spiritual successor we’ve all been waiting for. It’s out later this year.

5:33pm ET: Project Windless is up next, developed by Krafton Montreal Studio. It seems like a long way off, but playing as a big chicken looks pretty fun.

5:31pm ET: Remember the Tenchu series? If you were a fan, it sounds like Yakoh Shinobi Ops will be right up your street. It’s coming 2027 and features four player online co-op.

5:29pm ET: Neva Prologue is set years before the main game and tells the story of how Alba and Neva first met. It’s out February 19.

5:27pm ET: Hey, it’s Rayman! We’re getting a 30th Anniversary Edition and its out digitally tomorrow! It includes behind the scenes interviews, the original Rayman game for PSOne with accessibility enhancements, plus the Game Boy Color versions. Pretty cool for fans of the limbless hero.

5:25pm ET: We got an extended look at Game Freak’s non-Pokémon title, Beast of Reincarnation, during the Xbox Developer Direct. However, we now have a release date. It’s coming to PS5 on August 4.

5:24pm ET: Some head banging metal music to accompany the next trailer, which is always welcome. Crimson Moon is out this year and looks like an enjoyable hack and slasher.

5:23pm ET: Remedy’s Control Resonant looks markedly different from its predecessor. It focuses on melee combat and sees you jumping across rooftops and fighting huge enemy bosses. It’s coming 2026.

5:20pm ET: At long last, the Dead or Alive series is returning, albeit in the form of Dead or Alive 6: Last Round. It features upgrades for PS5 and an improved photo mode. New characters and costumes will be released in future updates, and free-to-play version will be released. It’s out June 25. We’re also teased that a genuinely new Dead or Alive game is in development.

5:17pm ET: Oh, nice. We’re getting Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered. I still need play the Soul Reaver remaster at some point. It’s available March 3.

5:15pm ET: More from Capcom now, as we get presumably one more look at Resident Evil: Requiem before it releases on February 27. Capcom is starting the year strong.

5:13pm ET: Another trailer for Capcom’s Pragmata is up next. It looks fantastic, and a demo is available now. It’s out soon on April 24.

5:11pm ET: A look at Bad Robots game now, an endlessly replayable co-op shooter. A pre-beta is coming for 4:Loop. It’s coming to PS5 and PC in 2026.

5:08pm ET: Death Stranding 2 is coming to PC with all the expected bells and whistles. You can enjoy unlocked frame rates and ultrawide support. It’s out March 19.

5:04pm ET: Ghost of Yotei: Legends, the game’s previously announced multiplayer mode is coming March 10.

5:04pm ET: A nice way to start the show, we got our first look at Kena: Scars of Kosmora. The first game is still quite the looker, but this time PlayStation Studios are involved to make the sequel even better. It’s coming to PS5 and PC in 2026.

5:00pm ET: Welcome to The Shortcut’s State of Play live blog. We’re ready to see what Sony has in store for PS5 players in 2026 and beyond.

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Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.