After much speculation and anticipation, Sony has finally lifted the lid on its highly touted PlayStation 5 console. During the next-gen event that took place this week it was unveiled exactly what the new gaming system would look like, and it's fair to say that the PlayStation 5's design features caught nearly everyone by surprise.

Check out the trailer for the Crash Bandicoot remake:

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Gone are what we might refer to as the more 'traditional' PlayStation design features - an overall boxy look and that familiar controller - replaced instead by a futuristic console with smoother finishes.

Not everyone loved the new design though. One Twitter user described it as looking like a WiFi router:

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Per the BBC, freelance game critic Laura Kate Dale said of the launch event;

"While there's still a lot of unanswered questions about the PS5, namely price and release date, I think Sony did exactly what they needed to with this reveal event,"

"It showed off an hour of games, mixing sequels to popular titles, and new franchises from its biggest first-party studios, for a solid hour.

"People on Twitter are very split on whether they like or hate the look of the box, but overall Sony spent an hour getting people excited."

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And - of course - comparisons are already underway with Xbox's new console, Xbox Series X. Sony will launch alongside Microsoft's machine before the end of the year, according to the BBC.

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In the description of the PS5 hardware launch trailer above , Sony writes;

"At launch, we will offer two options: a PlayStation®5 console with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive and a PlayStation®5 Digital Edition without a disc drive. The PS5 gameplay experience will be the same, so the choice is all yours. While there are some slight differences in the look of each model, for the overall design, we wanted to deliver a console that’s bold, stunning, and unlike any previous generation of PlayStation."

Among the game announcements came the news of two sequels to bestselling PlayStation 4 games: Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Horizon: Forbidden West.

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The PlayStation 5 touts super fast loading and improved visuals among its selling points. It's expect to launch towards the end of the year.

Sony finally reveals PlayStation 5 console