Being unable to nab yourself a highly sought after PlayStation 5 unit in the last year and a half now has another caveat, not only have you been unable to play some of the latest games since the console’s November 2020 launch, but will also be paying more for your official unit – granted still not at the prices that many scalpers hawk them at. In an announcement by President & CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment Jim Ryan, it has been confirmed that the PlayStation 5 will receive an increase in the recommended retail price (RRP) of the console in a number of markets – a surprising exclusion being the United States.
The new revised prices 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 reason provided by Ryan is as follows:
The global economic environment is a challenge that many of you around the world are no doubt experiencing. 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 across Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Asia-Pacific (APAC), Latin America (LATAM), as well as Canada. There will be no price increase in the United States.
While this price increase is a necessity given the current global economic environment and its impact on SIE’s business, our top priority continues to be improving the PS5 supply situation so that as many players as possible can experience everything that PS5 offers and what’s still to come.
Granted, prices of everything is going up in price due to the global economy, but cannot help but feel the sting given that it is still a trial of its own just to get a PlayStation 5 unit, and at the very least they have not jacked up the prices to scalper-level pricing. Of course, understandably, public perception of this decision has been negative, so it would not surprise me if a potential roll-back, concession or at least even a follow-up statement might be in the works.
