The PS5 was one of the most anticipated launches in gaming history. Many people could not even acquire one early due to high demand, supply chain issues caused by the pandemic, and chip shortages. Those who could get their hands on the much desired and vaunted system were few and far between. Those select few gamers who managed to wrangle themselves a console were on the cusp of the next generation of video game entertainment. If history was any indicator, they were in for many great exclusive and third-party games.

However, the reality was a far cry from the initial excitement. The PS5, launched in November 2020, left gamers underwhelmed with its exclusive titles. Games like Astro’s Playroom, more of a tech demo than a full-fledged title, and upgraded versions of PS4 games like Marvel’s Spider-Man, Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales, and SackBoy, were not what they had hoped for. Despite some great games in the following years, the lack of top-tier exclusives for a system they had strived so hard to acquire was a noticeable disappointment.

In February of 2024, Sony stated that the PS5 was now in the latter half of its life cycle, which shocked the consumers who had only been getting their systems within the past couple of years and the notable lack of exclusive titles. Sony was expecting the PS5 to sell 25 million units by 2025 but had to revise that number to 21 million units due to lower-than-anticipated sales in the holiday season of 2023. This may have seemed like a lofty goal. However, the PS4, which launched in 2013, sold over 30 million units by 2016, which was only its third year, and by its fourth year, it had sold over 70 million units worldwide.

What was the big difference between the PS4 and the PS5? Although there were many hurdles, like the aforementioned supply chain challenges, chip shortages, and a worldwide pandemic, the real difference was the games. The PS4 saw more than 50 games released within the launch window, and although not all were exclusives, many were, and when compared to the abysmal 24 released during the launch window of the PS5, it is easy to see why many have dubbed this period as the “PS5 game drought,” and many consumers are now disillusioned with the system. Even with heavy hitters like Baldur’s Gate 3, which eventually released on Xbox Series X, the surprise hit Helldivers 2, and Spider-Man 2, the gaming landscape seems a bit thin. Sony promises that the drought will end, and summer is traditionally the time when big blockbuster titles are revealed, so we all will have to wait and see.