Sony to sell PlayStation 5 for $499, or $399 for a version without a disc drive.
After much beating around the bush, Sony streamed an announcement of the PlayStation 5 release and some accompanying games. The PlayStation 5 is scheduled to launch November 12 in the United States, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea (other countries get it on the 19th, while the China market release is still "under exploration"). The newest console from Sony will cost $499, which matches the $499 price tag of its rival, the Xbox Series X from Microsoft.
Both companies are selling a cheaper version of their flagship console. $399 will net you a PlayStation 5 with all the trappings except a disk drive, which means games will need to be purchased digitally through the PlayStation Store. The lower-price option from Microsoft is called the Xbox Series S for $299, but there is some concern about its ability to handle next-gen games—the hardware intends to display 1440p resolution rather than 4K, for instance.
Other Prices to Add Up
When considering the price of a new console, it's important to remember the price of games and accessories. Full-fledged games have cost $60 on previous consoles, but that price is going up. In the PlayStation blog, Sony Interactive Entertainment president Jim Ryan writes, "Our own Worldwide Studios titles will be priced from $49.99 to $69.99 on PS5." Expect the newest and biggest games to cost $70. Buyers also consider the accessories offered:
- DualSense™ Wireless Controller (standalone) – $69.99
- PULSE 3D™ wireless headset – $99.99
- HD Camera – $59.99
- Media Remote – $29.99
- DualSense™ Charging Station – $29.99
Launch Titles
Alongside the hardware, Sony announced several games planned to release in the PS5 "launch window":
- Astro’s Playroom (Japan Studio) – pre-installed on PS5
- Demon’s Souls (Bluepoint Games / Japan Studio) – $69.99
- Destruction All Stars (Lucid Games / XDEV) – $69.99
- Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales (Insomniac Games) – $49.99
- Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition (Insomniac Games) – $69.99
- Sackboy A Big Adventure (Sumo Digital / XDEV) – $59.99
In addition to these, Sony has big titles planned for next year, including:
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Final Fantasy 16
- Resident Evil Village
- Deathloop
- God of War: Ragnarok
What are your thoughts on the price tag? Do you plan to buy a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X? Comment below!
