PS5 Update Adds Limited-Time PlayStation Anniversary Themes

Key Takeaways

PlayStation has rolled out an update for the PS5 which added elements and customization options themed after all of its old home consoles.
That includes the ability to swap your PS5 start-up sequence for the one that played when you switched on a PS1.
Unfortunately the anniversary themes will only be available for a limited time.

PlayStation officially turns 30 on December 3, 2024 as that will be the anniversary of when its first console was released in Japan. It’s been doing a lot to mark the occasion including the creation of an entirely new collection based on its original console’s design. Now you can make it feel even more like you’re playing PS5 games on a PS1 as the very first console’s start-up screen has been revived for a limited time.

Those firing up their PS5 this morning have been met with a surprise 30th anniversary update, even though PlayStation doesn’t technically turn 30 until tomorrow. The update even includes a pop-up when you log in for the first time after it has been applied to make sure you don’t miss it, and believe me, this isn’t an update you’ll want to miss, particularly if you’re old enough to feel nostalgia for the original PlayStation like me.

playstation anniversay ps5 dualsense next to a phone with best buy drops open.

Best Buy Is Restocking PlayStation’s Anniversary PS5 And DualSense Via Drops

Best Buy will have more stock of items in the anniversary range this week, but you’ll need its Drops app to buy it.

The update provides the option for you to apply elements from all of PlayStation’s prior home consoles to your hub. That includes certain parts of it looking like you are playing a PS5 hybrid of a previous PlayStation, or best of all when it comes to the PS1 option, the PS5’s relatively mundane start-up process being replaced with the iconic sounds and images that you’d be met with when firing up your PlayStation 1.

A New PS5 Update Has Added Themes Based On All Of PlayStation’s Home Consoles

Just Put The PS1 Start Up Sounds On Repeat And Leave Me Alone

If you haven’t applied the update yet, or you’re reading this on the bus or simply don’t have a PS5 handy, you can see the update in action with the PS1 option selected below courtesy of realradec. The PlayStation logo appears as normal but is quickly replaced by the blinding white that would appear along with the old Sony Computer Entertainment logo, complete with the original sounds that accompanied it. The only difference is the screen it then transitions to is one with the PlayStation 30th anniversary emblem on it rather than the original PlayStation logo.

The only downside to all of this is that the anniversary themes celebrating the four PlayStation consoles to come before the PS5 will only be available for a limited time. PlayStation hasn’t detailed exactly how long you will be able to pretend your PS5 is a lot older than it really is, but it’s a shame these won’t be a permanent addition to the console’s customization options. Particularly when themes, that seemed to be a hit on the PS4, were largely left behind with the last generation.