Sony has raised the cost of PlayStation 5, revealing the updated prices you'll now be expected to pay.
In a move that may impact gamers worldwide, Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft have announced price increases for their gaming consoles and accessories. The hikes are a direct result of economic challenges and tariffs imposed by the US government.
The tariffs, announced by then-US President Donald Trump, targeted imports from global manufacturing hubs, including China and Japan. These measures were designed to encourage onshore manufacturing, but they have led to fears of supply chain disruptions and increased material costs.
Sony, the manufacturer of the PlayStation 5, has raised the prices of its consoles in various regions. As of 2022, Sony has sold over 56 million PlayStation 5 consoles, leaving the Xbox Series S and X of Microsoft far behind in sales. The new prices for PlayStation 5 will be $549.99, PlayStation 5 Digital Edition will be $499.99, and PlayStation 5 Pro will be $749.99. Starting on August 21, 2022, these prices took effect in the UK, mainland Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the US, the prices of PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, and PlayStation 5 Pro increased by $50 each, effective from August 21, 2025, due to new 15% import tariffs on Japanese goods. Sony has, however, not increased the retail prices for PlayStation 5 accessories.
Nintendo, the manufacturer of the Nintendo Switch 2 console, has also attributed the latest change in the prices of its products to "market conditions." Similar price increases have been announced by Nintendo and Microsoft for their previous consoles and related accessories. The tariffs have also impacted the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 console in the US.
Michael Pachter, managing director at Wedbush Securities Inc., stated that companies are making efforts to "spread the impacts of tariffs across whatever they can." He further explained that components for gaming consoles largely come from places outside the US, and manufacturing is definitely outside the US as well.
These price increases come at a time when consumers are dealing with rising costs of living and inflation. The gaming industry, however, remains a significant source of entertainment and leisure for millions of people worldwide. It will be interesting to see how these changes affect consumer behaviour and the overall sales of gaming consoles in the coming months.
