7 Shocking Reasons the PS5 Is Still a Must-Buy in 2025
Thinking the PS5 is old news in 2025? Think again. Discover 7 shocking reasons why Sony's console is still an essential purchase, from its mature library to GTA 6.
Alexavier 'Lex' Croft
A veteran tech journalist and lifelong gamer with a passion for console hardware.
We’re heading into 2025, and the PlayStation 5 has been on the market for over four years. In tech years, that’s an eternity. The initial launch frenzy is a distant memory, supply issues are gone, and there’s even a shiny new “Pro” model vying for your attention. So, the question is simple: is the standard PS5 a relic? Is it too late to the party?
You might be shocked to hear this, but the answer is a resounding no. In fact, 2025 might just be the single best year to buy a PlayStation 5. The landscape has shifted, the value proposition has changed, and what was once a next-gen promise is now a fully-realized reality. Forget what you thought you knew. Here are the seven shocking reasons the PS5 is still an absolute must-buy.
1. The 'Pro' Effect: How the New Model Makes the Original a Steal
This sounds counterintuitive, right? A more powerful PS5 Pro is out, so why would you buy the base model? The answer is simple: value. The launch of a mid-gen refresh historically does two things. First, it pushes the original model’s price down, both new and on the second-hand market. What was once a $499 console can now be found for significantly less, making it the most accessible entry point into high-end gaming.
Second, developers will continue to target the base PS5 as the primary platform for years to come. With over 70 million units in the wild, it’s the console developers have to support. The PS5 Pro offers enhancements—better frame rates, higher resolutions—but the core experience on the standard PS5 remains fantastic. You aren't getting a lesser game; you're just getting an incredible deal on a machine that still plays every new title beautifully.
2. A Truly Mature Game Library (No More Compromises)
Remember the first couple of years? Many of the PS5’s biggest titles were also on the PS4. Games like Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarök were incredible, but they were built with last-gen hardware in mind. That era is over.
By 2025, the PS5's library is packed with games that could only exist on this hardware. We're talking about titles that leverage the ultra-fast SSD for instantaneous world-switching, the CPU for complex AI and physics, and the GPU for true next-gen lighting and detail. Think of games like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 with its seamless city traversal, or the visual fidelity of upcoming exclusives designed from the ground up for the PS5. You're no longer buying into a promise; you're buying into a proven, heavyweight library of classics.
3. Beyond Haptics: The Unmatched Controller Ecosystem
The DualSense controller with its haptic feedback and adaptive triggers was a game-changer at launch. But in 2025, it’s just the beginning. Sony has built an entire ecosystem around it that no other console can match.
- The DualSense Edge: For the competitive player, this pro-level controller offers swappable stick modules, back buttons, and deep customization. It’s a direct answer to the Xbox Elite controller and a must-have for anyone serious about performance.
- The PlayStation Access Controller: This is arguably Sony's most important hardware innovation. It’s a highly configurable, modular controller kit designed to help gamers with disabilities play more comfortably and for longer periods. It demonstrates a commitment to accessibility that is genuinely industry-leading.
This ecosystem means that no matter what kind of player you are—casual, competitive, or someone who needs custom inputs—there’s a first-party solution that’s perfectly integrated and supported.
4. The Price-to-Performance Argument Is Stronger Than Ever
“But can’t you just build a PC for that price?” This classic argument gets weaker every year. The optimization and custom architecture of the PS5 offer a level of performance that is incredibly difficult—and expensive—to replicate on PC. The secret sauce is the synergy between the custom AMD chipset and the revolutionary SSD architecture.
Let's put it in perspective for 2025:
| Feature | Standard PS5 (2025 Price) | Comparable Budget Gaming PC (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated Cost | ~$400 - $450 | ~$900 - $1100 |
| CPU/GPU Equivalent | Custom AMD Zen 2 & RDNA 2 | Ryzen 5 5600 + Radeon RX 7600 |
| Storage | 825GB Custom NVMe SSD (~5.5GB/s) | 1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD (~5.0GB/s) |
| Ease of Use | Plug and play | Assembly, driver updates, OS installation |
| Optimization | Games built specifically for the hardware | Varies wildly from game to game |
For less than half the price of a comparable PC, you get a quiet, efficient, and hassle-free machine where every game is guaranteed to work out of the box. That value is simply unbeatable.
5. PlayStation Plus Premium Has Finally Come of Age
When Sony revamped its subscription service, many were skeptical. But by 2025, PlayStation Plus Premium has evolved into a powerhouse of value. The initial trickle of classic games has become a flood, with a massive, curated library of PS1, PS2, PS3 (via cloud streaming), and PSP titles that will drown you in nostalgia.
More importantly, the modern offerings are killer. Game Trials for major new releases let you try before you buy, cloud streaming for PS5 games is more robust than ever (letting you instantly sample games without a huge download), and the monthly game catalog consistently delivers high-quality titles. It's not quite Game Pass's day-one model, but it's a compelling service that makes the cost of entry into the PlayStation ecosystem feel much lower.
6. Your Living Room's Unsung Hero: The All-in-One Media Machine
The PS5 is a phenomenal gaming console, but its utility doesn't end there. It’s also a top-tier media hub that quietly replaces several other devices.
- It’s a 4K UHD Blu-ray player—a device that can still cost over $200 on its own.
- It has a fast, intuitive interface for all major streaming apps: Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, YouTube, you name it.
- It seamlessly integrates with Spotify for music during gameplay.
In a world of smart TVs with slow, clunky interfaces, the PS5 is a lightning-fast and reliable centerpiece for your entire entertainment setup. It’s the one box that does it all, and does it well.
7. The Billion-Dollar Elephant in the Room: Grand Theft Auto 6
Let's be honest. For millions of people, this is the only reason that matters. Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled to launch in 2025, and it will be the single biggest entertainment launch in human history. It is a true 'system seller,' a game that will cause people to buy a console just to play it.
And the PlayStation 5 is poised to be one of the best places to experience it. Given Rockstar's historic marketing partnership with Sony, you can likely expect exclusive content, bundles, and a massive, optimized experience on day one. Waiting for a PC port could mean waiting another year or more. If you want to be part of the global cultural moment that will be the launch of GTA 6, owning a PS5 in 2025 isn't just a good idea—it's essential.
Conclusion: The Smartest Buy in Gaming
The narrative that you should only buy a console at launch is officially dead. In 2025, the PlayStation 5 isn't just 'still good'; it’s a smarter, more valuable, and more complete package than it has ever been. With a lower price point, a library full of true exclusives, an unparalleled controller ecosystem, and the impending arrival of a generational titan like GTA 6, the standard PS5 has cemented its place as the best all-around value in gaming.
If you've been on the fence, now is the time to jump off. You won't regret it.