REVIEWS / GAMING CONSOLES / OWNER INSIGHTS
🦉 WE READ 422 OWNER COMMENTS
Base PS5: what owners actually say
Owners are frustrated by rising PS Plus costs and a thin exclusive library, though the hardware itself draws little direct criticism.
What owners complain about
- PS Plus price hikes COMMON
Multiple highly-upvoted comments complain about recurring PS Plus subscription increases, with one joking the console is 'renting its RAM for $10 a month' and another calling the endless growth mentality bullshit.
- Not enough exclusive games SOME
Users say they won't buy a PS5 for 'just one game,' indicating the exclusive lineup feels too thin to justify the hardware purchase.
- Optical drive removal difficulty on base model FEW
Compared to the Slim and Pro models, the original PS5's optical drive requires more involved disassembly to remove, unlike the easier method on newer revisions.
- Games need patching at launch FEW
Users advise waiting 6 months to a year for PS5 versions of games to be properly patched, suggesting day-one software performance is unreliable.
What owners love
- Solid hardware when games work
Comments reference the console positively in passing ('if it's good, it's good') and the base PS5 is treated as a capable machine, though direct praise is sparse in this sample.
- Waiting for PC versions validates PS5's early access
Users note having to wait 6+ months for PC versions of certain titles, implicitly acknowledging the PS5 gets desirable content first.
Surprising patterns
- The base PS5's optical drive is notably harder to remove than on the Slim and Pro revisions — owners considering DIY repairs or drive swaps should know the teardown is more involved.
- The subscription cost resentment is intense enough that users frame the entire console model as renting hardware features monthly, not just paying for online services.
- Some users are skeptical that price increases or cost-saving measures will ever be reversed even after component prices normalize, suggesting deep distrust in Sony's pricing philosophy.
WHO SHOULD SKIP IT
Buyers who want a large library of must-play exclusives or who resent recurring subscription costs will likely feel the PS5 isn't worth it, based on these owners' experiences.
Synthesised from 422 real owner comments across 6 platforms. Every point is grounded in the comments — no marketing, no AI guessing. How we do it →