The announcement of Ghost of Yotei-themed console covers during the recent State of Play has thrilled many PlayStation fans—unless you’re one of the millions still using the original PlayStation 5. As part of the Ghost of Yotei marketing campaign, Sony unveiled limited-edition PS5 console covers and a unique Ghost of Yotei-themed PS5 Slim console. These stylish accessories, adorned with artwork inspired by Sucker Punch’s upcoming action-adventure title, are available only for the PS5 Slim and the rumored PS5 Pro models. Original PS5 users? Left in the dark.
❌ Original PS5 Excluded
Sony has a history of releasing limited-edition consoles tied to blockbuster games like Spider-Man 2 and Final Fantasy XVI. But this time, there’s a glaring omission: no themed cover for the launch version of the PS5.
This decision didn’t sit well with long-time PlayStation fans. The PlayStation subreddit quickly became a hotbed of frustration, with users expressing disappointment over being overlooked despite their early support of the console.
“Great, the one good-looking themed cover isn’t even made for my PS5,” one user lamented.
“Sony abandoned the original model as quick as possible,” another frustrated gamer added.
📉 Community Backlash Grows
The backlash highlights growing resentment among players who feel Sony is prioritizing newer hardware over loyal early adopters. Many OG PS5 users voiced that they still use their console daily and should have been included in themed accessory drops like this.
Some players suggested turning to third-party vendors for fan-made Ghost of Yotei covers—though many questioned why they should need to in the first place.
“Sony is a ‘what have you bought from us lately’ company,” one Redditor summarized, echoing the general sentiment.
🤔 What’s Next?
As the Ghost of Yotei hype train gains momentum, Sony now faces questions about how it treats its most loyal fans. Whether this was a logistical decision or a deliberate focus on newer hardware, the damage to goodwill is already showing.
If Sony doesn’t expand availability or provide more inclusive options, it risks alienating a large chunk of its base—just as anticipation for its next major exclusive is peaking.
The excitement around Ghost of Yotei is undeniable—but so is the backlash. As Sony continues to push toward next-gen exclusivity and upgraded hardware, it must be careful not to leave behind the very players who helped it dominate this console generation.