Overview
- The new digital-only console is region-locked to Japan and supports Japanese as the system language, with use limited to Japanese PlayStation accounts.
- Orders open Thursday in Japan, with the retail launch set for Nov. 21.
- At ¥55,000, the model is nearly 25% cheaper than the current ¥72,980 PS5 Digital in Japan and undercuts the $499 U.S. price.
- The strategy mirrors Nintendo’s domestic-only approach for Switch 2 and aims to bolster PlayStation’s standing in a market where Nintendo leads.
- The localized price cut follows recent global PS5 hikes linked to tariffs and cost pressures, as affordability concerns for younger players have drawn industry attention.