There have been rumors that predicted this and now, sadly, it’s official: The PlayStation bosses finally decided to raise the price of PlayStation 5 gaming consoles across multiple major markets. Sony raised the prices of both PlayStation 5 versions (Blu-ray and digital) in Europe, the UK, China, Australia, Mexico, Canada, and even at home, in Japan. The US prices stay the same for the time being.
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The console maker said they had to up the prices of PlayStation 5 due to growing economic challenges across the globe. The official announcement from Sony Interactive Entertainment includes the following bit:
“We’re seeing high global inflation rates, as well as adverse currency trends, impacting consumers and creating pressure on many industries. Based on these challenging economic conditions, SIE has made the difficult decision to increase the recommended retail price (RRP) of PlayStation 5 in select markets.”
It’s nearly impossible to find PlayStation 5 at retail or digital —despite Sony claiming they ramped up the production of PlayStation 5— unless you’re willing to buy it from a scalper for a hefty fee, and without a doubt, gamers worldwide won’t be happy with the price change.
The official blog post says the new recommended retail prices will be effective immediately, except in Japan. Sony will increase the prices at home come September 15, 2022.
The new PlayStation 5 prices for each market:
- Europe
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – €549.99
- PS5 Digital Edition – €449.99
- UK
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – £479.99
- PS5 Digital Edition – £389.99
- Japan (effective Sept. 15, 2022)
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – ¥60,478 yen (including tax)
- PS5 Digital Edition – ¥49,478 yen (including tax)
- China
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – ¥4,299 yuan
- PS5 Digital Edition – ¥3,499 yuan
- Australia
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – AUD $799.95
- PS5 Digital Edition – AUD $649.95
- Mexico
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – MXN $14,999
- PS5 Digital Edition – MXN $12,499
- Canada
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – CAD $649.99
- PS5 Digital Edition – CAD $519.99
Sony assures fans that the PS5 supply situation will be improved as soon as possible, but that’s a song Playstation fans are way too familiar with by now since the console’s launch. Sony’s official earnings report said PlayStation 5 sold over 21.7 units so far, however, the gaming giant also faced several challenges and stated that the number of sales could be significantly higher.
While PlayStation directors decided to raise the prices of PS5, one of its rivals in the console market, Nintendo, is following a different strategy. Earlier this month, Nintendo Boss Shuntaro Furukawa said Nintendo won’t raise Switch prices despite rising expenses and other challenges.
Next: Sony introduces DualSense Edge, an “ultra-customizable” controller
