The PlayStation 5 console was launched pre-loaded with the game Astro's Playroom starring the Astro Bot character first introduced in the 2018 PS4 PSVR title Astro Bot: Rescue Mission. This 3D platformer starts in a hub world called CPU Plaza from where four worlds can be explored: GPU Jungle, Cooling Springs, SSD Speedway and Memory Meadow, each based on PS5’s console components. In that way the game is used as an introduction to the features of the PS5, such as experiments with the adaptive triggers, the haptic features through DualSense or the 3D audio of the Tempest engine.
Two other locations are also available from CPU Plaza: Network Speed Run with unlockable time trials and PlayStation Labo where all collectables are stored. Astro Bot can move around freely, jump, hover, punch objects and enemies, and charge a punch for a spin attack. Each world is split up in four levels each. Next to the regular levels there are some where Astro Bot has access to a power suit with new abilities, usually tied capabilities of the DualSense controller.
The game contains many references to game franchises and the legacy of the PlayStation console. A fifth world with a final boss fight is unlocked after completing the first four.
