The ninth console generation has been defined by fast loading times and the adoption of cutting-edge features like ray tracing, but thePlayStation 5has lost much of the customization that its predecessors were beloved for. With a new PS5 update, however,classic PlayStation themesare returning permanently.
Announced via thePlayStation Blog,the UI designs based on the original PlayStation, PS2, PS3, and PS4 are returning to the PlayStation 5 home screen. They were originally added as part of PlayStation’s 30th anniversary celebration, letting users get a hit of nostalgia every time they turned on their console and browsed the home screen. The blog post also unveiled a new Audio Focus feature, which lets PS5 users tweak their audio settings with four adjustable presets: Boost Low Pitch, Boost Voices, Boost High Pitch, and Boost Quiet Sounds.
The Classic PlayStation Themes Are Back
PlayStation’s Iconic Boot-Up Sounds Live On
When PlayStation first announced the 30th anniversary themes for the PS5, many hoped they would become a permanent addition to the console. Each theme mimics the sounds of the classic console it’s based on, and features different visuals for the PS5 home screen’s Welcome tab. It took a few months, but all four themes have officially returned, andthey can be found in the PlayStation 5’s system settings under the Appearance sub-menu.
These join otheranimated PlayStation 5 themesthat appeared for select players earlier in April. These were based on a variety of PlayStation-exclusive games, includingGame of the Year winnerAstro Bot,Demon’s Souls,God of War Ragnarok,Horizon Forbidden West,Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, and Sucker Punch’s upcomingGhost of Yōtei, which recently had itsrelease date revealed with a new trailer.
Consoles Today Are Lacking Fun Customization
PlayStation 4 Themes Were A Highlight
While the return of the classic PlayStation themes is welcome, the fact that they were removed at all is frustrating. The PS5 does not have a lot of customization options, and those that it has are limited. you may move some widgets around on the Welcome tab, and set a custom background for it, but every other tab shows a game’s specific art.It’s a far cry from the downloadable themes the PS4 featured, which came with animated backgrounds, stylized icons, and unique home-screen music.
The PS5 is not the only culprit, though. The Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch both suffer from the same issue with their bland, unalterable system UI. It’s understandable that tech companies want a consistent aesthetic associated with their ecosystems, but it’s a disappointing damper on user experience when you’re forced to use the bland grays of the Xbox, the blank background of the Switch, or the barrage of different art and music on thePlayStation 5. The return of the classic themes is nice, but hopefully just the start of more customization to come.
Source:PlayStation Blog
PlayStation 5
The fifth flagship video game console from Sony Computer Entertainment, the PlayStation 5, is a part of the ninth generation of consoles. The console features full backwards compatibility with PlayStation 4 games and features a digital storefront that gives access to older generations. The console can output images at 4K resolution, with alternative options including 1440p at 120 frames per second for gameplay. This console is also known for implementing 3D audio, which allows headphones to be connected to the console for simulated spatially accurate audio.
