Sony is introducing a cheaper PlayStation 5, but it will only be available in Japan. The new version of the PS5 has some caveats, but the discounts will make it a popular choice in Sony's home country.
Gaming can quickly become an expensive hobby, depending on what type of system a player uses and how many games they pick up. While gamers are clearly still buying, with the Nintendo Switch 2 hitting record-breaking sales milestones in Japan and the world, some have balked at the high price for the console, making this new discount on the PS5 an inviting opportunity.
The PlayStation 5 gets a cheaper version, but not many players can afford one
As announced during the State of Play Japan broadcast, the affordable PlayStation 5 has been unveiled. The cheaper version of the console is the digital version with 825GB of built-in storage, and it will launch exclusively in Japan on November 21, 2025. The new version is a significant deal, as it will cost 55,000 yen, or $355 USD based on currency conversion at the time of publication. By comparison, in the United States, the standard digital version PS5 with 825GB of space costs $499, so Japanese buyers are seeing a 29% discount compared to paying in the US. The Japanese version is also cheaper than the digital version PS5 cost in the US before the recent PlayStation 5 price hike.
Over time, players have been slowly moving from the PS4 to the PS5, and this move could help the PS5 beat the PS4's numbers in terms of sales. 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 2020 launch. The PS5 has already been dubbed the most profitable console generation in Sony's history, but selling more consoles will obviously be a plus.
Although Japanese players are excited for this opportunity, it is equally disappointing for those outside of Japan. Sony isn't the first or only one to do this, though, as Nintendo launched the Switch 2 in Japan at a lower price than the rest of the world. That launch came with strict restrictions, so even if buyers outside of Japan tried to import the system, they had to be able to understand Japanese and have a Japanese user account to play online. The same will happen with the upcoming PS5. While buyers may be able to find some discounts during the holiday shopping season, they may also want to consider a refurbished model. At the moment, Sony is selling a certified refurbished PS5 with 825GB of storage for $399. Although it's priced higher than the discounted Japanese version, it also comes with a 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
