Decker

Mine shipped yesterday from Best Buy. Looking forward to trying it out and probably then returning my Backbone One which hasn't worked well with the PS5 (and is still returnable thanks to their Total Tech program).

Did you see the CNET review for the new PS5 earbuds? They said they sound amazing, like $300 pairs of Sony wireless earbuds for music, but with far fewer features.

Sony Pulse Explore Earbuds Hands-On: Absurdly Good Sound

Decker

Cool, a new Day 1 (for console, anyway) release for PS Plus Extra

X - Formerly Twitter

Looks silly and simple, but for free? Sure I'll play with it a bit.

You Tube

Noonan

Portal arrived. Installing its day 1 software update now. Hardware is pretty fantastic for $200. The charging port and headphone jack are a bit inconvenient to reach but I guess there's no where else they would have worked.

lwhy?

We don't have a thread for Lake, but the Christmas DLC is out now for $9.99.

davidh777

I think I posted about the game in the Questyen’s thread, but I’m in for the DLC.

lwhy?

I already bought it. I had gift card money on my PSN account.

The Questyen

Awesome! Last time they talked about it they didn't say if or when it would make it to PS4/5.

Decker

Set up and played my Portal a bit. It played Spider-Man 2 very well with a slightly noticeable decrease in frame rate. Still totally playable. Tried some Pinball FX in my bedroom and it worked flawlessly (unlike my phone with the Backbone). I know I’m weird like that, but just being able to play all my Pinball FX tables in bed might be with the $199 to me.
It feels pretty comfy to hold and has a very nice screen (but awful speakers). It’s really big. Not sure if I am going to store it in the box it came in (which is pretty nice) or buy a 3rd party case for it.

JTH182

That IS a Dualsense. The back buttons are actually metal and very high quality. I love it and so glad I didn't waste $200 on an Edge. at you trying to make me feel bad or something.

Decker

Does it fit in a charging cradle?
Where did you order it from?

fujishig

Now I'm curious what caused your problems with the Backbone. The Portal seems like it would be a superior experience because of the screen/controls but the actual streaming part should be similar unless your phone is way underpowered or something?

Music

I know the controller is the Dualsense, I was talking about the back buttons.

It reminded me of a cheap ear buds case I had, but cool that it is metal.

Decker

There was just too much lag to play pinball. It was fine for Diablo IV. To be fair though, that was my previous wifi router, not my current one. To be fair, I should try it again with my phone.

I will also try to use the Portal remotely from work, but not until I get a travel case. That thing is way too big and seemingly fragile to walk around without one.

stvn1974

The PS5s my bro and I are swapping as X-Mas gifts arrived. He also picked up the Robocop, Last Of Us Part 1, Grand Theft Auto 5 and the newest Madden Foosball for me. X-Mas can't get here soon enough.

lwhy?

PlayStation Direct Black Friday Deals are up now:

Last year’s sale was better. I want Ragnarok, but not for $40.

dom56

I was hoping for a price down on Final Fantasy XVI and Hogwarts Legacy.

fujishig

I mean they are on sale, the former both digital and physical versions.

lwhy?

Hogwarts physical will be $30 at Target starting Sunday.

Goldberg74

I am so tempted to get a few more games, but I have so many in the "need to play" stack that I might jut wait until next BF to get them.

brainee

And if I'm understanding the Black Friday week sales ... for the first time that I remember, if you're an existing PS+ member there's no discount for renewing your subscription. The discount is only if you're a completely new member or you're upgrading your plan. As if the massive price hike earlier in the year wasn't enough of a slap in the face.

My current subscription expires 12/6. No way I was keeping the Premium level I already have (don't think I've played a single game from the Classic Catalog and the timed trials aren't my thing). But was planning on renewing for the Extra Tier (thinking the standard 30% discount from the new price of $135 would still be worth it). Now ... I don't know. Maybe cancel everything. I'm lucky if I play a game a month and then they're usually things that have been out for a while (with low sale prices anyway). I don't do online gaming. Not sure if $135 is worth it for me.

If anyone notices any way an existing PS+ member can get any kind of deal I'd love to hear it. Hearing mixed reports on other places online, but nothing that's worked for me.

Decker

It's really weird, it SAYS that you can renew your current subscription and save 25%, but it won't actually give you a discount if you do that. Might have to be fixed in the next few days.

Music

Sony just doesn't like you.

fujishig

I thought that they would give some renewal offer closer to black friday but maybe not. And that upgrade discount, I think that's only for the rest of the life of your sub, you don't get an extra year discounted.

Perfect opportunity for me to cancel so I can be a "new" member the next time they run this. I have no idea why they thought this was a good idea. Like if you don't want people stacking at the existing price just limit it to a few years or something.

DJariya

If I were to let my Playstation + Extra subscription lapse for my PS5, would all the games that I downloaded over the last year become unplayable/locked?

When I had the Playstation + subscription for the PS4, all the games were locked when I decided to not renew. I don't know if that has changed or not. I don't really keep up with PS news, so if someone more knowledgeable can enlighten me. Thanks

If there are no deals on PS+ subscriptions next week, I may have to let it lapse. The new prices are way too expensive.

Dan

You think that’s bad… the Canadian price is $94.99 for the Essential tier.