New PS5 Update: Sony Finally Adds the Feature Everyone’s Been Asking For
Nostalgia is knocking at the door for PlayStation fans: the latest PS5 update brings back the iconic themes of Sony’s classic consoles. The Japanese company is reviving some timeless favorites — but that’s not all.
While the ninth generation of consoles brought cutting-edge technology like ray tracing and near-instant load times, customization gradually faded into the background. With this major update, the PlayStation 5 is making up for lost time — much to the delight of both retro lovers and audio enthusiasts alike.
Image credit: Les Aventures Ludiques
Classic Themes Make a Triumphant Return
Originally released to celebrate 30 years of PlayStation, themes inspired by the PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS4 are now officially back on the PS5. Each theme immerses players in the distinct atmosphere of its era, complete with classic visuals and — most importantly — those unforgettable startup sounds. These retro gems are now available under System Settings, in the Appearance section.
New PS5 system software update sees the return of nostalgic UI options, plus the new Audio Focus feature. Learn more: https://t.co/KOICJvtZBv
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) April 23, 2025
In addition to these retro themes, Sony has also brought back several animated themes based on flagship titles, including:
- Astro Bot
- Demon’s Souls
- God of War Ragnarok
- Horizon Forbidden West
- Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
- Ghost of Yōtei, the upcoming game from Sucker Punch
But the return of themes also highlights a frustrating truth: customization on the PS5 remains limited. Unlike the PS4, which offered a wide variety of downloadable themes with animated backgrounds, custom icons, and music, the PS5 only allows for background changes and a few widgets. User experience — once a key focus — now seems to have taken a backseat to visual uniformity.
And it’s not just Sony. The user interfaces of the Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch also suffer from a serious lack of fun and personalization. From Microsoft’s gray backdrops to the Switch’s minimalistic menus, gamers are clearly craving more visual freedom. The return of classic themes is a good start — but players are hungry for more.
Breathing New Life into Sound: Audio Focus
This update isn’t just about looks — it also introduces a brand-new feature called Audio Focus, designed to enhance sound immersion based on individual player preferences. With this tool, you can tweak your audio settings to emphasize the sounds that matter most to you.
There are four preset modes to choose from:
- Boost Low Pitch: Enhances low-frequency sounds like engines and rumbles
- Boost Voices: Emphasizes character dialogue and voice chat
- Boost High Pitch: Amplifies high-frequency sounds like metallic noises and footsteps
- Boost Quiet Sounds: Boosts subtle audio details across a wide range
Players can also adjust the intensity of each preset (low, medium, or high) and fine-tune the left and right channels independently. This feature is only available when using headsets connected via USB or audio jack, not through HDMI.
A Fresh Spark for the Console
Released on April 24, this PS5 update marks a turning point for Sony’s console. By bridging the gap between past and present, it gives players what they’ve long been asking for: a bit more soul and personality in their console experience. Could this nostalgic revival be the start of a new chapter in PS5 customization? Fingers crossed!
