Sony is treating gamers to a nostalgic celebration for PlayStation’s 30th anniversary—extending beyond just the retro-inspired hardware that quickly sold out.
On Monday, a software update introduced a classic boot screen along with themes representing each generation of PlayStation consoles.
“Choose your favorite generation,” the update’s introduction encourages, presenting a menu with theming options for the PS1 through PS4.
After installing the update, you’ll be prompted to select a theme when you start up your PS5 for the first time.
As anticipated, each theme modifies the PS5 dashboard’s menu colors and sounds to replicate the respective console’s user interface..
Additionally, you can go through other themes through a new “PlayStation 30th Anniversary” option located at the top of the console’s settings menu.
The themes, however, are only available for a limited time, according to Sony. (The company has not specified exactly when they will be removed.)
This temporary availability feels like a missed opportunity to some, as permanently keeping the themes might have delighted fans who would enjoy a dashboard that evokes memories of playing Metal Gear Solid or Crash Bandicoot.
Sony’s decision may stem from a marketing strategy to create a sense of exclusivity or to avoid cluttering the settings menu.
This isn’t the first time Sony has tapped into its legacy for an anniversary. A decade ago, during PlayStation’s 20th anniversary in 2014, Sony released a free theme that applied the PS1’s visual style and startup sound to the PS4, PS3, and Vita—albeit in a more simplified format.
