Let’s be real for a second. There is nothing—and I mean absolutely nothing—more annoying than sitting down to play a massive new season of your favorite shooter, only to be stared in the face by a 45GB download bar that says "9 hours remaining." We’ve all been there. You’ve got the snacks ready, the Discord call is popping off, and you’re basically a spectator while your internet struggles to breathe. That’s why everyone is currently freaking out about the marvel rivals pre download ps5 situation, especially with Season 6 just hitting the deck.
NetEase has a bit of a weird history with how they handle PlayStation updates compared to PC. If you’re a Steam player, you usually get that shiny "Update" button hours before the servers actually go live. But on the PS5? It’s a bit of a different beast.
The Reality of Marvel Rivals Pre Download PS5 Right Now
Here is the deal: traditionally, Marvel Rivals doesn't always offer a massive 48-hour head start for pre-loading seasonal updates on the PlayStation 5. For the massive Season 6 launch that just dropped on January 16, 2026, most players found that the "pre-download" only really kicked in once the official server downtime started.
Typically, the game goes offline for about two hours. For this latest update, that was around 9:00 AM UTC. That tiny window is usually when your PS5 will finally realize there is an update waiting and start pulling those files. If you were hoping to have it sitting on your SSD three days early, you might’ve been out of luck.
Why does this happen? Honestly, it’s likely due to how the PlayStation Store verifies patches versus how a launcher like Steam handles raw data. NetEase has to push the final build through Sony’s certification, and sometimes that trigger doesn't happen until the "switch" is flipped globally.
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How to Make Sure Your PS5 Actually Grabs the Update
You don't want to be the person who wakes up, tries to launch the game, and then starts the download. That’s rookie stuff. Even if there isn't a formal "pre-load" window announced days in advance, you can force your console to be smarter than the average brick.
- Rest Mode is your best friend. Seriously. Go into your settings, hit "System," then "Power Saving," and make sure "Stay Connected to the Internet" is toggled on. If the patch drops while you're at work, your PS5 will snag it.
- The PS App trick. This is a lifesaver. If you're away from home and hear that the Season 6 patch is live, open the PlayStation App on your phone. Find Marvel Rivals in your library and hit "Download to Console." Even if it’s already installed, this often "nudges" the system to check for the latest version.
- Check for Update manually. If you're sitting at your desk, highlight the game icon, hit the "Options" button (the one with the three lines), and select "Check for Update." It sounds simple, but the PS5 auto-check can sometimes lag behind by an hour or two.
What’s Actually in the Big Season 6 File?
If you're wondering why the marvel rivals pre download ps5 is taking so long, look at what they just packed into the game. We’re talking about the "Night at the Museum" theme. It’s huge.
Deadpool has finally arrived as a playable hero, and he’s not just a basic damage dealer. He’s got these role-switching mechanics that probably required a massive amount of new code and animations. Then you’ve got Elsa Bloodstone, who is dropping a bit later in Season 6.5, but her assets are likely already being tucked into this download.
They also added the "Museum" content which includes a bunch of chaotic environmental changes. We also got the "Whack-a-Jeff" event and a literal mountain of cosmetics. There's a new Spider-Man "Marvel Cosmic Invasion" skin and even a Deadpool Jeff Plush accessory. All those high-res textures add up.
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Storage Space: How Much Do You Need?
Look, the game is growing. When it first launched back in late 2024, it was a relatively lean install. Now, in early 2026, you really need to have a buffer.
The current PS5 file size is hovering around 45GB to 50GB. However, because of the way the PlayStation 5 copies files during an update, you usually need double that space free just to initiate the download. If you’re sitting on 10GB of free space, your console is going to give you an "Error" message. Clean out those old Call of Duty clips or delete that indie game you haven't touched since last summer.
Dealing With Slow Download Speeds
If your marvel rivals pre download ps5 feels like it's crawling, it might not be your ISP. When a new season drops, everyone is hitting the Sony servers at the exact same time. It’s a digital bottleneck.
- Use a LAN cable. I know, I know, wires are ugly. But Wi-Fi is notoriously flaky on the PS5 when it comes to peak-load downloads.
- Close all other games. Even if you're playing a single-player game, the PS5 limits download bandwidth to ensure your gameplay doesn't lag. Close everything.
- The DNS swap. Some people swear by changing their DNS settings to Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1). It doesn't always work, but it’s worth a shot if you’re desperate.
Actionable Next Steps for Rivals Players
The most important thing you can do right now is prepare for the next mid-season patch. Season 6.5 is slated for February 13, 2026, featuring Elsa Bloodstone.
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To avoid the download headache next time, ensure your console is set to auto-update in the "Saved Data and Game/App Settings" menu. Also, keep an eye on the official Marvel Rivals Discord or their X (Twitter) account about 24 hours before a major patch. They occasionally announce "Pre-Download" availability for specific regions.
If you've already finished your download, head straight into the Practice Range. With the new hero balancing—including buffs for Hulk, Captain America, and Black Panther—the meta has completely shifted. You don't want to learn these changes in the middle of a Competitive match while your teammates are screaming in your ear.
Key Takeaway: While a formal, multi-day pre-load for Marvel Rivals on PS5 isn't always a guarantee, being proactive with Rest Mode and manual checks will get you into the match way faster than just waiting for a notification. Keep at least 70GB of free space to be safe, and get ready for the Deadpool chaos.