Sony PlayStation has announced a price hike, starting on April 14, 2025, for the PlayStation 5 in several regions, PlayStation 5 Pro being excluded. This move comes nearly five years after the console’s launch, defying the usual trend of gaming hardware prices decreasing over time. Let’s not forget that this isn’t the first time the price has been raised, as the PlayStation 5 saw a price hike in August 2022.
Here’s the price breakdown for how much the PlayStation 5 will cost in these regions. Again, not counting the PS5 Pro.
- Europe PS5 Digital Edition – €499.99
- UK PS5 Digital Edition – £429.99
- Australia Standard PS5 w/Blu-ray disc drive – AUD $829.95 / PS5 Digital Edition – AUD $749.95
- New Zealand Standard PS5 w/Blu-ray disc drive – NZD $949.95 / PS5 Digital Edition – NZD $859.95
Ironically, the PS5 Disc Drive has seen a price decrease in those same regions.
- Europe €79.99
- UK £69.99
- Australia AUD $124.95
- New Zealand NZD $139.95
While Sony attributes the price hike to “challenging economic environment, including high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates”, some analysts speculate that recent U.S. tariffs on imports from countries like Vietnam and China may also be influencing the decision. These tariffs have already impacted other gaming hardware, and Sony may be adjusting its pricing strategy accordingly.
For gamers in affected regions, this price increase means higher costs for new PS5 purchases. While existing owners won’t be directly impacted, those looking to buy a PS5—whether upgrading or purchasing their first console—will need to budget more.
2025 looks to be another major year for PlayStation. With the release of Ghost of Yotei and possibly Grand Theft Auto 6 on the horizon, you know gamers will be looking to purchase a PlayStation 5—a now more expensive PlayStation 5 that, hopefully, won’t see another price increase later this year. There are going to be some very frustrated gamers experiencing serious sticker shock, and some may turn to pre-owned consoles instead.
I get it, but I’m frustrated too—mainly because PlayStation has already made its money. It could easily absorb the cost and skip the price hike. But it’s a company, a business, and its job is to make money. However, as a gaming company, it owes it to its consumer base to treat them fairly since, without that, PlayStation is nothing. Instead of taking those hits like a prizefighter, they’re passing them down to the consumers. It was already tough for people to afford a PlayStation 5, but now it’ll be even harder.
With this, I have two questions: Will PlayStation raise the price in more regions, specifically the United States? And Will Xbox and, more importantly, Nintendo—who not only still has its original Switch at retail but will also be launching the Switch 2 in the coming months—follow suit with a price hike, especially after already revealing the Switch 2’s price?
I know I’m getting a bit longwinded, but damn, this is getting rough. And I hate to say it, but it’s going to get worse.
