The quick answer is 10-15 average sized games based on the 667GB of usable storage and large install sizes of most top PS5 titles.
However, with some storage management tactics and an external hard drive, you may be able to stretch that to 20+ games. Adding more NVMe SSD storage via the M.2 slot can also dramatically increase your capacity.
Breaking Down the PS5 Digital Edition‘s Storage
As a leading technology analyst, I‘ve taken an in-depth look at the PS5 Digital Edition‘s storage capacity to provide a detailed breakdown.
While the console is advertised as having 825GB of SSD storage, only 667GB of that is actually usable for game downloads, saved data, and media, according to Sony‘s specifications. The other approximately 158GB is reserved for system files and the PlayStation operating system.
This means you have 667GB of free space available when you first boot up your shiny new PS5 Digital Edition. But how much gameplay can you expect that to provide? Let‘s analyze some data points:
PlayStation 5 Game Sizes
According to my research across the launch PS5 library, game install sizes range from around 10GB on the low end for smaller indie titles, up to a staggering 150+GB for cutting edge triple-A blockbusters.
The average PS5 game size falls around 40-60GB based on the install requirements of major titles like:
- Spider-Man: Miles Morales – 50GB
- Demon‘s Souls – 66GB
- Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla – 46GB
- Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War – 133GB
As you can see, many of the most anticipated PS5 releases require a hefty chunk of storage real estate. Open world games with large asset libraries and 4K texture packs like Call of Duty are especially demanding.
How Many Games Fit on 667GB?
Based on these average PS5 game sizes, I estimate you can store 10-15 full games on the 667GB of usable space in the PS5 Digital Edition.
The exact number depends on the combination of game genres and scale you install. 15 smaller indie games under 10GB each could potentially fit. But if your library consists only of huge triple-A titles over 60GB, you may max out after 8-10 games.
To provide a specific example, here is how storage space could be divided across 15 downloaded games:
- 5 games at 50GB each = 250GB
- 5 games at 25GB each = 125GB
- 3 games at 75GB each = 225GB
- 2 games at 15GB each = 30GB
Total: Around 630GB for 15 games
As you can see, large 50GB+ downloads will quickly consume the 667GB, while smaller indie games can help maximize your initial capacity.
Maximizing Your PS5 Digital Storage
While 10-15 games may be enough for casual players focused on the latest releases, hardcore gamers will likely want access to more of their library ready-to-play. Here are some tips for maximizing storage on the PS5 Digital Edition as a savvy gamer:
Use External Storage for PS4 Games
You can offload PS4 games to an external USB hard drive or SSD to free up space on your PS5‘s precious internal SSD real estate.
While you can‘t play PS5 games directly from external storage, PS4 titles can be run directly from a USB drive. This allows you to keep a larger back catalog of PS4 games accessible without gobbling up space meant for shiny new PS5 releases.
I recommend a portable 2TB external SSD, which can store 50+ PS4 games as a worthy investment for under $200.
Uninstall Games You Aren‘t Playing
Actively manage your storage by uninstalling games you have either completed or lost interest in. You can always redownload them later if you want to go back. Purge your backlog of titles you know you probably won‘t actually play again.
Upload Saves to the Cloud
Make sure to regularly upload your game saves to cloud storage linked to your PlayStation account. This allows you to delete and redownload games freely without losing your progress.
Explore Smaller Indie Games
Fill out your library with critically acclaimed indie games under 10GB like Sackboy: A Big Adventure (7GB) for more bang for your buck in storage capacity.
Add an M.2 SSD for More Space
For power users wanting even more storage, adding an M.2 SSD to the PS5‘s internal expansion slot can drastically increase capacity by 500GB to 4TB depending on the drive.
A 1-2TB NVMe SSD running at 5,500MB/s+ offers an excellent balance of value, performance and expanded storage in the 20-40 game range.
Weighing the Value of the PS5 Digital Edition
When evaluating the PS5 Digital Edition, storage capacity is one of the biggest considerations alongside its lack of a disc drive. Let‘s weigh some expert pros and cons as an industry analyst:
Potential Benefits
- Cheaper MSRP at $399 compared to $499 for standard PS5
- Sleeker aesthetic without large disc drive
- Forced to curate a leaner game library
- Ideal for gamers going all-digital
Limitations
- No ability to resell, trade, or lend physical games
- Requires large game downloads and internet connectivity
- Storage capacity very limited out of the box
- No support for PS4 game discs or Blu-Ray movies
The nearly all-digital future is clearly on the horizon, but the PS5 Digital Edition‘s storage constraints demonstrate we aren‘t quite there yet. Its lower price and sleek design are enticing, but power gamers will likely prefer the flexibility of the disc drive PS5.
Adding more dedicated NVMe SSD storage can help offset the capacity limitations. But casual or budget-focused gamers building a purely digital next-gen library will find plenty to love in the streamlined PS5 Digital Edition.
