Astro Bot Enthusiasts Will Love This Limited Edition Seagate Game Drive, But I’m Not Sold on Traditional Hard Drives

The Astro Bot Limited Edition Game Drive had me grinning from ear to ear the moment I laid eyes on its charming design. It’s a reaction I never expected to have towards a PS5 external hard drive, which typically just looks like a plain rectangular block that plugs into the console’s USB port to expand storage for your PlayStation Plus and digital game downloads. But this one? It’s just too adorable to ignore.

While I still lean towards internal SSDs for running my favorite PS5 games, the limited edition drive has added a delightful touch to my setup and provided a convenient spot to stash my PS4 games, freeing up space on my internal SSD without the hefty price tag of a 5TB internal option. In the short week since I set it up, I’m not fully converted to external drives, but my PS5 is definitely cuter and more functional because of it.

The Astro Bot Game Drive launched on December 11 and is essentially Seagate’s well-known external PS5 hard drive, now sporting a fun Astro Bot design. Instead of the standard white look, it features a variety of cute designs that pay tribute to Team ASOBI’s beloved character, offering a generous 5TB of space for all your PS5 and PS4 downloads.

This Astro Bot version provides ample storage for my PS5 and PS4 games during the brief time I’ve had it connected to my console. However, there are a few important details to keep in mind before you rush to grab one for yourself.

First off, this drive can only store PS5 games; it won’t run them like your internal storage or any M.2 drive you might have installed. If you’re looking solely for a storage boost for your digital PS5 library, you might want to consider alternatives like the WD SN850X, which is specifically designed for the console. However, that option comes with a significantly higher price tag—around $279.99 for the 2TB version—making the $159.99 Astro Bot drive a much more appealing choice, especially with its cute aesthetics.

Secondly, when connecting the Seagate Game Drive, make sure to use one of the SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps ports. On my older launch model, these are located at the back of the console. The short cable that comes with the drive made positioning it a bit tricky, so it currently sits on top of my PS5, which is the only way I can showcase its adorable design and the blue LED strip. It’s not the most convenient spot, but it works.

Once I set up and formatted the drive, it performed flawlessly, and I’m eager to put it through its paces for a full review in the new year. The PS5 automatically configured it so that any PS4 games I download save directly to the Astro Bot Drive, while PS5 games continue to install on my internal M.2 drive. I could change this setup, but in the week I’ve had it, it’s been great for offloading PS4 titles and freeing up space on my internal SSD. Plus, it runs PS4 games smoothly, which is perfect since I’ve been itching to revisit older titles like Prey.

Most importantly, this limited edition Game Drive is one of the cutest I’ve seen, enhancing the look of my living room console setup. Unlike internal M.2 drives that are hidden away, the Astro Bot HD with its glowing blue light and playful eyes is a delightful sight. It even came with a free set of Astro Bot stickers, which I’m excited to use on my plain white console covers until Sony and Team ASOBI release their own designs. I still have a few weeks to test the drive and see if its speeds meet my gaming needs, but it’s been a fantastic addition to my PS5 setup. If you’re a big Astro Bot fan in need of extra storage, this is a charming and budget-friendly alternative to a 5TB internal drive. Plus, it pairs perfectly with the Astro Bot DualSense controller if you have one.