In a move that’s sure to rattle gamers’ wallets, Sony announced over the weekend that it will raise prices on certain PlayStation 5 consoles starting Monday across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The company cited global economic strain, including inflation and exchange rate volatility, as reasons behind the increase. The PS5 Digital Edition, which lacks a disc drive, will see a notable jump in recommended retail pricing—rising to €499 in Europe and £430 in the UK. Australia and New Zealand won’t be spared either, with prices increasing to AUD 749 and NZD 859 respectively.
Interestingly, Sony has decided to keep prices unchanged for the standard PS5 and the more powerful PS5 Pro in these markets. The decision appears to be a strategic one, aiming to cushion the blow for buyers of the flagship models while adjusting prices for the less expensive version. The timing, however, coincides with a period of global manufacturing uncertainty, spurred in part by US tariffs imposed earlier this month. While the US market escapes this round of price adjustments, industry watchers speculate that the global hike may be a preemptive buffer to safeguard profits stateside.
Meanwhile, competitor Nintendo is grappling with its own market turbulence. The highly anticipated Switch 2 has been delayed indefinitely, with US pre-orders put on hold as the company reassesses demand and tariff implications. Between economic headwinds, shifting trade policies, and supply chain challenges, the gaming industry appears to be entering a new phase—where affordability may no longer be part of the play.
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(Source: Play Station Blog | BBC | The Verge)
