Sony’s PlayStation 5 console has proven to be a hit since it first launched in November 2020, selling millions of units and earning widespread praise for its graphical capabilities and unique features. However, there’s always room for improvement, and so Sony has released a number of PS5 updates since launching the console to improve it even further. The latest PS5 update is available for users to download to their consoles as of Tuesday, March 8.
The latest PS5 update brings the console to version 21.02.-04.51.00. The patch notes say that the system software update improves system performance, but specifics beyond that are unavailable at the time of this writing. These are the exact same patch notes that Sony released for the last few PS5 updates as well. And if previous updates are any indication, it’s unlikely that PS5 users will get more clarification beyond those simple patch notes.
The last time the PS5 received a substantial new update was when it added support for M.2 SSD storage in the console’s expansion slot. This greatly expanded the PS5’s storage capabilities, which was great news for fans as the built-in storage for the PS5 is rather limited. The PS5 gives users less than 700 GB to store games and apps out of the box, and with video game file sizes ballooning out of control, storage upgrades definitely go a long way.
It remains to be seen the next time the PS5 will get another substantial update that requires more detailed patch notes beyond that the “system software update improves system performance,” but there’s a chance it could happen in the relatively near future. There are rumors that Sony is going to be launching an Xbox Game Pass competitor currently known by the codename Project Spartacus, which could very well require a system software update to function properly. According to the rumors, this new subscription service will allegedly combine aspects of PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now, while giving PS5 gamers access to classics along with newer titles.
It’s possible implementing a new service like this will require a system software update, but that’s just speculation at this time. And while some may have hoped to learn more about the project at the upcoming PlayStation State of Play for March 2022, scheduled to air at 2pm PT on March 9, that seems highly unlikely. While Sony hasn’t provided specifics on what fans will see at the State of Play, it did say that the event will focus on PS4 and PS5 games, especially those from Japanese publishers.
