Sony Confirms PS5 Price Hike
Although we're about two years into the newest generation of video game consoles, a lot of people are still struggling to get their hands on the console they want. Even if it's a little easier to bag an Xbox Series X or S, players are still fighting to get them. Still, it's so much worse for the PlayStation 5.
Stock problems have plagued this generation, and even when consoles become available, it'll often fall at a moment when players just can't afford the consoles. Running at over £500 for the most advanced consoles, the chance to play next-gen games is increasingly slimming - and now, it's only got to hit you harder in the pocket.
Is The Price Of The PS5 Going Up?
Click to enlargeIn a new blog post from Jim Ryan on the PlayStation site - and with an eerily serious tone - the company has confirmed that in most regions across the world, the price of the PS5 is going up. If this wasn't enough, the price hike is effective immediately.
"The global economic environment is a challenge that many of you around the world are no doubt experiencing," says Ryan. "Based on this challenging economic conditions, SIE has made the difficult decision to increase the recommended retail price of PlayStation 5 in select markets across Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, as well as Canada. There will be no price increase in the United States."
It's all well and good promoting new-gen only games like Gotham Knights, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and the Dead Space remake, but if we can't get the hardware needed to play them, they'll drop out of the charts before they even have a chance to get there. Simply, something just adding up here as to why customers are the ones paying the price.
How Much Will The PS5 Cost After The Hike?
The new prices have been revealed in the blog post, and they're a bit of a bummer. They are as follows:
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
The price hike is going to put a lot more pressure on players trying to get into the new generation, and it's a pretty bleak marker of the financial downtick that the world is suffering right now. Please, Phil Spencer - don't follow suit with Xbox.