Sony Playstation 4 Slim Console 500GB Jet Black PS4

Product Information

The same symbols are found stuck to the bottom too, acting as feet to raise the machine off a surface for improved airflow. As a Nintendo system, the Switch has several notable games you can't play elsewhere, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Setting up the slim PlayStation 4 is very easy – especially if you're upgrading from the original PS4 (or even a PS3), because you can use all the same cables, so no need to stretch behind your TV. Plus, the PS5 is backwards compatible with the best PS4 games, so you won't miss out on the back catalogue.

Cast your mind back to when the original PlayStation 4 hit the scene, and you may remember that its unconventional shape drew quite a bit of attention when it was first revealed.This isn't a big omission, since audio usually goes out to the TV through the HDMI cable anyway, and most TVs have their own optical audio outputs for integration with sound systems. You won't get 4K gaming or enhanced graphics like on a PS4 Pro with compatible games, but the system can still run PlayStation VR software in addition to all standard PS4 games. Connecting a PS VR to the PS4 Slim is the same process as the original PS4 and PS4 Pro: Plug the PlayStation Camera into the back, run the HDMI output in the back and a USB cable in the front through the PS VR control box, and run the HDMI pass-through from the control box to your TV. There is still no rear-facing USB port, which is annoying for those looking to plug in a PS4 Camera snugly into the back to avoid unsightly cables, but there are still 2 in the front. It also consumes a lot less power than the regular PS4 console, giving you energy efficiency savings.

Sony's own movie rental platform is available too if you're looking for the latest Hollywood releases. Simply plug in the included HDMI and power cables and connect to the internet to download the console's various patches and updates.The only major casualty of the slimmed-down design is the Optical Out port on the rear: HDMI will suit the needs of many gamers for carrying audio signals, but the Optical Out port will be missed by those hooking up older home cinema receivers, or souped-up gaming headsets. The decision is not really an either/or thing here – if you are looking for the best-performing, with top level 4K gaming graphics, then you are obviously looking for the PS4 Pro. An award-winning games journalist, Vic brings experience from IGN, Eurogamer and more to the TechRadar table.

More recent revisions of the PS4 also featured physical buttons on the console, but the launch edition PS4 favored touch-sensitive controls instead. Since the very first PlayStation, Sony's home consoles have led the charge when it comes to media playback support.It doesn't offer the extra power of the PS4 Pro, though the 1TB of storage available does give it extra capacity if you plan to download a lot of games. Yes, plenty of the latest releases are being released across the generations, so if you pick up a PS4 you won’t immediately be left behind.

All content, games titles, trade names and/or trade dress, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of their respective owners. Overall, the PS5 is the smart option to save for if you really want to future-proof for the next few years of PlayStation games.If, however, you aren’t all that interested in the latest hardware with its 4K bells and whistles and you just want a machine that’ll help you catch up with the PS4’s fantastic library of games, then the PS4 Slim is an option that might just suit you.