Sony is introducing a cheaper PlayStation 5, but it will only be available in Japan. The latest variant of the PS5 has some caveats, but the discount is likely to make it a popular choice in Sony's home country.
Gaming can quickly become an expensive hobby, depending on the type of system a player uses and how many games they pick up. While gamers are clearly still buying, leading to milestones like the Nintendo Switch 2 breaking sales records in Japan and the world, some have balked at high console prices, which would make this new PS5 discount an inviting opportunity.
The PlayStation 5 is getting a cheaper version, but most gamers can't get one
As announced during the State of Play Japan broadcast, a cheaper PlayStation 5 has been unveiled. The cheaper version of the console is a Digital Edition with 825 GB of built-in storage, and it will launch on November 21, 2025, exclusively in Japan. The new version is a great bargain, as it will cost ¥55,000, or about $355 based on currency conversions at the time of publication. Comparatively, in the US, the standard Digital Edition PS5 with 825GB of space costs $499, so Japanese buyers get a 29% discount compared to what they pay in the US. The Japanese version is even cheaper than what the Digital Edition PS5 cost in the US before the recent PlayStation 5 price hike.
Over time, gamers have gradually migrated from PS4 to PS5, and this move could help PS5 beat PS4's numbers in terms of sales. When comparing the PS4 and PS5, the PlayStation 5 is slightly behind, as the PlayStation 4 sold 86 million units in its first five years, while the PS5 is at 84.2 million five years after its launch in 2020. The PS5 has already been called the most profitable console generation in Sony's history, but selling more consoles would obviously be a plus.
While Japanese players are likely excited about this possibility, it's equally disappointing for those outside of Japan. However, Sony is not the first or only one to do this, as Nintendo launched the Switch 2 at a lower price in Japan compared to the rest of the world. That launch came with strict restrictions, so even if a buyer outside of Japan tried to import the system, they had to be able to understand Japanese and have a Japanese user account in order to play online. The same will be the case with the upcoming PS5. While shoppers may be able to find some discounts during the Christmas shopping season, they may also want to consider looking at a refurbished model. Right now, Sony is selling a certified refurbished PS5 with 825GB of storage for $399. While this is a higher price than the discounted Japanese version, it also comes with the disc drive, so the slightly higher cost may be worth it for gamers who value owning physical copies of their games.
Source: State of Play Japan
