During the transition from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5, Sony significantly modified the PlayStation Store interface. If the console itself was attractive thanks to its performance and its ultra-fast SSD, the redesign of the digital store left many players perplexed.
On PS4, the web version of the PlayStation Store made it easy to view screenshots, examine the details of a game and especially view its trailers. This comprehensive presentation provided a clear overview before any purchase.
With the arrival of the PS5, these features have mysteriously disappeared from the web version. Users could read descriptions, but no longer view screenshots or launch trailers directly from their browser. A decision that is difficult to understand at a time when dematerialized purchasing largely dominates the market.
Screenshots are back
Good news: Sony recently re-enabled the display of screenshots on the web version of the PlayStation Store. Players can now view multiple images directly from a game’s product page. This change may seem minor, but it represents a notable improvement for those who prefer to view the store from their smartphone or PC rather than through the console interface.
Being able to observe high quality visuals allows you to better project yourself into the game world, evaluate the artistic direction and obtain an overview of the gameplay. It’s a return to a more transparent presentation logic, closer to what other platforms like Steam or the Nintendo eShop offer.
The persistent absence of trailers
Despite this progress, everything is not yet resolved. Trailers remain missing from the web version of the PlayStation Store. This is an important point, because a video often allows you to judge the atmosphere, rhythm and fluidity of a game much better than static captures. Players should still turn to YouTube or other platforms to view an official trailer.
Ironically, the console version of the PlayStation Store never lost this feature. Videos are available directly from the PS5. But for those who don’t particularly appreciate the ergonomics of the console interface, this remains restrictive.
A development that shows that Sony is listening
Even if this feedback is partial, it demonstrates a desire to gradually improve the user experience. The PS5 is now entering its maturity, and Sony seems to be adjusting certain design choices that had attracted criticism since 2020. Modern interfaces often favor sobriety, but this should not be at the expense of essential features. In a context where digital competition is strong, offering a clear and complete purchasing experience becomes essential.
While the return of screenshots is a first step, many players are now hoping to see trailers reappear in the near future. This would allow us to find a fully coherent experience between the PS4 generation and the PS5. In the meantime, this discreet update constitutes an encouraging signal: Sony seems ready to correct certain unpopular decisions in the transition to the new generation.