And then … it didn’t. Prices are still skyrocketing and availability is still scarce. How much does a PlayStation 5 cost? How hard is it to get a PS5? Get your biggest questions answered, as well as tips on how to snag a PlayStation 5 console a little more easily and without totally breaking the bank.
How much does a PlayStation 5 cost?
If you’re looking to buy a PlayStation 5 in spring 2022, brace your wallet: It will cost you $499.99 for the PlayStation 5 Console (including one Dualsense Wireless controller), plus sales tax (depending on where you live). You can also snag a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Console (including one Dualsense Wireless controller) for $399.99 plus tax—and that’s if you can find one. There are also variousbundlesavailablewithdifferentgames. If you want accessories to go with your new PS5, those may set you back a bit as well:
Sony PlayStation 5 Dualsense Wireless Controller, $69 for white or Midnight Black, $74.99 for colorsSony PlayStation 5 Dualsense Wireless Controller Charging Station, $29.99Sony PlayStation Pulse 3D Wireless Headset: $99.99 for Midnight Black or $99 for whiteSony PlayStation 5 HD Camera, $59Sony PlayStation 5 Media Remote, $29
The accessories you purchase will largely depend on the type of games you enjoy. For example, fans of racing games may love something like the Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE Racing Wheel and Pedals for PlayStation 5 ($399.99), but if you tend to stick to fighting games a la Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate or RPGs like the Final Fantasy VII remake, this obviously won’t serve much of a purpose for you. If you’re looking for ways to save on PlayStation 5 consoles or accessories, shop around and consider pre-owned items. Retailers like GameStop will offer used and/or refurbished PlayStation accessories for less (like the Dualsense Wireless Controller for $49.99). You may also want to consider utilizing cashback programs like Rakuten or CapitalOne Shopping, as well as using retailer credit cards or cashback credit cards on bigger-ticket items to take some of the sting out of the price.
Why is a PS5 $1,000?
You’re not alone if you’re wondering why a PlayStation 5 can cost upwards of $1,000. This is for a number of reasons, but the biggest and most widespread goes far beyond the PS5: There is a global chip shortage, which is driving up costs of everything from video game consoles to motor vehicles; demand is skyrocketing and supplies are slim. Further, supply chain issues have hurt all sorts of industries, from food to your beloved gaming consoles, and led Sony to produce far less PS5 consoles than originally planned. Another reason is that scalpers are using bots to poach many of the available PlayStation 5 consoles before consumers can purchase them, driving up the price further.
Is PS5 more expensive than Xbox?
The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition is about $100 more expensive than the Xbox Series S Digital Edition at most retailers. The Xbox Series X and regular PlayStation 5 disc consoles are the same price, each clocking in at $499.99.
Why is PS5 sold out?
PS5s sell out incredibly quickly upon restocks, largely because of bots snagging up all of the available supply of consoles as soon as they’re available for purchase.
How hard is it to get a PS5?
Since the PlayStation 5 was first released in November 2020, it’s been consistently difficult to get one, and Sony has reported that they’ll likely continue to see shortages of the consoles throughout 2022. That said, remember those bots making it hard to buy a PS5? Certain benevolent bots, The New York Timesreports, may actually help you buy a PlayStation 5. Follow accounts like Matt Swider, PS5 In Stock Alerts, ICGOriginal and ILovePS5 to find out restocks almost immediately (and turn on your notifications for those accounts). Swider also recommends having your credit card information stored and ready at retailers you plan to buy from to save you time on checkout and hedge your bets. Next, find out what foods may be missing from grocery shelves due to shortages.
