Sony has opened pre-orders for a cheaper PlayStation 5 in Japan. The PS5 Digital Edition Midnight Black costs 55,000 yen. That is about 350 dollars. Pre-orders started October 20, and the console arrives November 19. The console has a matte-black finish and no disc drive. Sony sells a separate disc drive add-on for about 75 dollars. The launch date is the same day as Grand Theft Auto 6. Console prices have kept rising since the PS5 came out in 2020.
Game consoles usually get cheaper over time, but not this generation. The PS5 entry price now sits around 599 dollars in the US. Part of the blame goes to AI-driven demand for chips. Late buyers are feeling the squeeze, especially with GTA 6 coming. Sony revealed the original Japanese-market PS5 model in 2025. The Midnight Black edition is aimed at budget-minded buyers. But it is only sold in Japan for now. Getting one elsewhere would require serious effort.
Console prices are squeezing many families. A cheaper option helps more people join the fun. It also shows how chip shortages and hype push up prices everywhere.

Sony has opened pre-orders for a cheaper PlayStation 5 in Japan. The PS5 Digital Edition Midnight Black costs 55,000 yen. That is about 350 dollars. Pre-orders started October 20, and the console arrives November 19. The console has a matte-black finish and no disc drive. Sony sells a separate disc drive add-on for about 75 dollars. The launch date is the same day as Grand Theft Auto 6. Console prices have kept rising since the PS5 came out in 2020.

Game consoles usually get cheaper over time, but not this generation. The PS5 entry price now sits around 599 dollars in the US. Part of the blame goes to AI-driven demand for chips. Late buyers are feeling the squeeze, especially with GTA 6 coming. Sony revealed the original Japanese-market PS5 model in 2025. The Midnight Black edition is aimed at budget-minded buyers. But it is only sold in Japan for now. Getting one elsewhere would require serious effort.

Console prices are squeezing many families. A cheaper option helps more people join the fun. It also shows how chip shortages and hype push up prices everywhere.

πŸ“° Source: News Source
polygon.com β†—
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