New Cheaper PS5 Officially Available for Pre-Order Now

Sony introduced a new PlayStation 5 Digital Edition priced at 55,000 yen in Japan, approximately $350, offering a lower-cost alternative to the standard $599 model. The Midnight Black console and controller are available for pre-order starting October 20, with shipments scheduled for November 19, coinciding with the release of Grand Theft Auto 6. The new model is digital-only, meaning it lacks a disc drive, but this limitation is irrelevant for GTA 6 players since no physical edition is planned. Sony also offers a disc drive add-on for 11,980 yen ($75) for those who may need it for other games.

The Japan-exclusive PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Midnight Black is identical to the Japan-only model released last year, differing only in color. The lower price is attributed to import tariffs and trade policies, making it more affordable in Japan compared to international markets. This follows a similar strategy by Nintendo, which offers a Japan-only Switch 2 priced at 49,980 yen ($315), significantly lower than the North American price of $499.99.

Pre-ordering the new PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Midnight Black is restricted to Japan due to retailer policies and regional account limitations. Online retailers like Amazon Japan, Rakuten, and Yodobashi block sales outside Japan, and the console only supports Japanese language and accounts set to Japan. Sony’s support website explicitly states that accounts from other regions are not supported.

For consumers outside Japan, alternatives include purchasing a second-hand PlayStation 5 or buying console covers from PlayStation’s direct sales website. Another option is to buy a brand-new PlayStation 5 before potential price increases, though availability and pricing may vary by region.