PS5 release date: Launch stock links and timings, NEW games, PlayStation Plus and more

PS5 pre-order customers are counting down to the release of Sony’s next-gen console.

The PlayStation 5 has a November 12 release date in the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Singapore. The console hits the UK, Europe and other parts of the world on November 19.

There are two different models available at launch, including one with an Ultra-HD optical disc drive, and another slightly cheaper version that’s digital only.

Both consoles come with solid state drives for speedy loading and improved performance, as well as custom AMD GPUs with support for 4K visuals and ray-tracing technology.

To put it simply, PlayStation 5 games will look better, run smoother, and load faster than ever before.

The PS5 is also backwards compatible with 99% of PS4 games, so you can transfer pretty much all of your current-gen content over to the new console.

But the real highlight is the new DualSense controller, which features advanced haptic feedback and adaptive triggers for greater immersion.

Unfortunately, however, getting hold of a PS5 at launch has been a real struggle for many fans, as pre-orders sell out in an instant.

Thankfully, multiple retailers in the US have announced plans to re-stock the PS5 on launch day.

This includes Walmart, which will open up PlayStation 5 orders at four different times throughout the day on November 12.

According to a recent tweet by the retail chain, customers will be able to buy a PS5 console at 12pm ET, 3pm ET, 6pm ET and 9pm ET.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the PS5 will only be available to order online, so don’t visit the stores in person.

“The day you’ve all been waiting for is almost here: the #PS5 is coming 11/12 for online orders only!” reads a Walmart tweet.

“If you missed out on preorders, you’ll have four chances to order throughout the day.”

US retailer Newegg has also announced plans to sell the PS5 on November 12. In a recent tweet, the company said that the PlayStation 5 will go on sale at 12.01am ET, and will be limited to one console per customer. Hit the link for more details on how and when to buy from Newegg.

If you do manage to secure a PS5 on launch day, or have already successfully pre-ordered the console, then you’re in for a treat.

There are around 30 games available at launch, although this includes a selection of cross-platform games that can also be played on the PS4. 

In terms of actual platform exclusives that can only be played on PS5, the number is much smaller. Likewise, if you take every backwards compatible game playable on the new console, you’d have a list in the thousands.

For arguments sake, the PS5 launch line-up is as follows…

• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

• Astro’s Playroom

• Borderlands 3

• Bugsnax

• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (November 13)

• Demon’s Souls

• Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition

• Destiny 2: Beyond Light

• DIRT 5

• Fortnite

• Godfall

• Just Dance 2021

• Maneater

• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

• Marvel’s Spider-Man: Remastered

• NBA 2K21

• No Man’s Sky: The Next Generation

• Observer: System Redux

• Overcooked: All You Can Eat

• The Pathless

• Planet Coaster: Console Edition

• Sackboy: A Big Adventure

• Warhammer: Chaosbane Slayer Edition

• Watch Dogs Legion

• WRC 9

Speaking of games, it’s worth remembering that Astro’s Playroom is available with every console for free, while PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to download Bugsnax.

PS Plus subscribers will also get access to the PlayStation Plus Collection at no extra cost. This includes 20 of the biggest and best PS4 games, all of which are playable on the PS5.

Games available in the PlayStation Plus Collection include Bloodborne, Uncharted 4, God of War, Mortal Kombat X, Final Fantasy 15 Royale Edition, Crash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogy, and Fallout 4.

If you’re not currently a subscriber, ShopTo is currently selling a 12-month PlayStation Plus membership for just £39.85. That’s a saving of 20%.

As a digital membership, the PS Plus subscription will be delivered immediately, which means you can use it to bag the November free PS4 and PS5 games.

PS Plus subscriptions are also required to play online multiplayer games, so it’s definitely worth getting if you’re new to PlayStation. 

source: express.co.uk