Sony introduces the cheaper PlayStation 5, but it will only be available in Japan. The latest PS5 variant has a few 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 what systems the gamer 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 globally, some have balked at the consoles' high prices, which would make this new PS5 discount a tempting opportunity.
The PlayStation 5 has a cheaper version, but most gamers can't afford it
As announced during the State of Play Japan broadcast, a cheaper PlayStation 5 has been revealed. The cheaper version of the console is the Digital Edition with 825GB of built-in storage and will launch on November 21, 2025, exclusively in Japan. The new version is a significant bargain as it will cost ¥55,000, or about $355 based on currency conversions at the time of publication. By comparison, in the United States, the standard Digital Edition PS5 with 825GB of space costs $499, so Japanese buyers are seeing a 29% discount compared to what those in the US are paying. The Japanese version is even cheaper than what the PS5 Digital Edition cost in the US before the recent PlayStation 5 price hike.
Over time, gamers have gradually migrated from PS4 to PS5, and this move may help PS5 surpass 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 marked as the most profitable console generation in Sony's history, but selling more consoles would obviously be a plus.
Although Japanese gamers are probably excited about this opportunity, it's equally disappointing for those outside of Japan. However, Sony isn't the first or only one to do this, as Nintendo launched the Switch 2 in Japan at a lower price compared to the rest of the world. This launch came with strict restrictions, so even if a buyer outside of Japan tried to import the system, they would need to be able to understand Japanese and have a Japanese user account to play online. The same will be the case with the upcoming PS5. While shoppers may find some discounts during the holiday shopping season, they may also consider looking at a refurbished model. Right now, Sony is selling a certified refurbished PS5 with 825GB of storage for $399. Although it's a higher price than the discounted Japanese version, it also comes with a disc drive, so the slightly higher price may be worth it for gamers who value owning physical copies of their games.
Source: State of Play Japan
