Supply issues and delays have held system back from showing true potential
Through no fault of its own, Sony's latest console has endured the roughest launch period out of any of its PlayStation predecessors.
The PlayStation 5 is among Sony's most confident console outings to date, with robust specs powering the machine and future-proofing it as technology marches on.
A solid library of first-party titles and enhanced ports of PS4 games have also made the console highly sought-after.
'Returnal' is an astounding title that harnesses the full potential of the console and lays the gauntlet down for any future developers making a game for the console and 'Deathloop' is among the years best games.
Add in 'Ratchet and Clank: A Rift Apart' and the directors cut of 'Ghost Of Tsushima' and 'Death Stranding' and you have a strong and confident first year for Sony's new console.
The only problem? It's really bloody tricky for people to get their hands on one.
In singing the praises of the PlayStation 5, we may as well be telling readers about a dream we had or a funny video we saw on TikTok with half the details missing.
Those who have managed to get their hands on the console will likely share the same views; the system's interface is a snap to navigate, the addition of a solid-state drive makes loading times a thing of the past, and the controller is the natural conclusion of the controller design Sony mastered with the PlayStation 2.
The PlayStation 5 has sold over 13 million units and will likely sell 15 million by the years end, but the PlayStation 4 sold over 18 million by the end of its first full year on the market.
In the UK, the PlayStation 5 actually outsold the PlayStation 4 in its first year but other countries such as Ireland have struggled with supply issues.
Multiple accounts with tens of thousands of followers tip of followers about major retailers issuing 'drops' of PlayStation 5's, and the mere fact these accounts have that many followers speaks to the demand for the console in Ireland.
The major contributing factor is the current global economic situation and shortage of computer parts, which we have discussed on this very site.
A simple principle of economics is also at play; there is too much demand and not as much supply.
The supply side of the equation comes from the current queues and delays at ports around the world, or factories in developing parts of the world remaining shut as a result of Covid restrictions.
That Ever Given ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal in March and gave us a solid week worth of memes? That caused a ripple effect in the global shipping system.
Factories have orders locked in months in advance, so a delay of over a week like in the case of the Ever Given has caused shockwaves through the supply chain which trickles all the way down to a PlayStation 5.
Recent rumblings from Sony estimate that the PlayStation 5 won't be in readily available supply until 2023 owing to a global shortage of semiconductors, which are in high demand for the likes of laptops brought upon by the outset of people working from home.
For those fortunate enough to get their hands on the console, 2022 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the console as both developers and fans alike get a full indication of what the console is truly capable of.
2021 was a strong year for the console, but 2022 is shaping up to be even better.
2022 will see the release of 'Horizon: Forbidden West', the new Square Enix title 'Forspoken' which is Amy Henning's first video game writing project in over 10 years, the new 'God Of War' game, the intriguing 'Ghostwire: Tokyo' (the latest game from the creators of 'The Evil Within') and last but not least, 'Gran Turismo 7'.
The second full year of a console's lifecycle is when developers get comfortable with a new console, and Sony has form on that front.
In 2008, players got 'Metal Gear Solid 4', 'Resistance 2' and 'LittleBigPlanet' as developers got to grips with the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation 4's second full year saw the likes of 'Bloodborne' and 'Until Dawn' released for the console.
It has been a tough year for game developers big and small, and even a giant like Sony have struggled through the current global situation, but if history tells us anything, the first year of any console launch is never an indicator of how a console will perform long-term.