Sony have announced that the price of the PlayStation 5 console in Europe and Japan, but the price will remain the same in the United States. Xbox Series X|S is selling well in the United States so Sony don’t want Microsoft to get ahead, over in Europe they have comfortable lead whilst sales of Xbox consoles in Japan is barely worth mentioning.
It seems “economic conditions” are the cause the rise including the spiralling interest rates across the world. These have been caused in part by the astronomical costs of fuel, which in term is caused by the war in Ukraine, so if you want to moan and someone for making the PS5 more expensive it’s ultimately the megalomaniac over in the Kremlin. There other factors, such as shipping costs rising, but as I am sure you all know the price of everything is rocketing at the moment.
In mainland Europe the price will rise from 499.99 euros to 549.99 euros, while the price in the UK for a disc console will rise by twenty pounds to £479.99.
So far the other console manufacturers have not increased the price of their consoles but now Sony have made the jump I would expect Microsoft and Nintendo to make some adjustments. They may and try and keep their prices rises lower to make their consoles more attractive.
Sony have recently reworked PlayStation Plus with new tiers so it’s highly unlikely they will change the price of that service.
The new RRPs below are effective immediately.
- 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
Source: PS Blog