PlayStation 5 Sales and Market Situation
Despite its high price, the PlayStation 5 remains the clear leader among gaming consoles. According to recent data, the number of units sold is 2.5 times higher than the combined sales of Xbox Series S and Series X. The gap between competitors is expected to widen, with PS5 likely to outsell both Microsoft consoles by a ratio of three to one.
Sony’s Response to Competition in Japan
At the same time, Sony is closely monitoring Nintendo’s actions, especially as the Switch 2 gains popularity in the domestic market. In response to increasing competition, the company has decided to release a special edition PS5 Digital exclusively for Japan. The new version will be priced $120 lower than the standard model, making it the most affordable current model in the brand’s lineup.
Features of the Japanese Edition and Pricing Policy
The new PS5 Digital will cost about $355 in Japan, which is noticeably lower than the usual price of $475. However, even after the reduction, the console is still more expensive than at launch, when it was available for around $260. The price increase is due to inflation, higher production costs, and the weakening yen on the global market. Additionally, this model will only support Japanese language and work exclusively with the Japanese PlayStation Store—which won’t be an issue for local users.
Technical Specifications and Comparison with the European Market
In terms of technical specifications, the Japanese version is no different from the standard one: it comes with a 1 TB drive, just like the Slim model, and the price reduction has not affected its functionality. For comparison, in Spain the same console bundled with a game costs up to €499, which is approximately $577. This means the price difference between the markets exceeds 60%.
The impact of competition and price trends
The situation in the gaming console market highlights the importance of competition in shaping pricing strategies. Weak positions of Xbox Series X and Series S in Europe and Japan have led consumers to pay more for Sony products. In the five years since the PS5 launch, the price of the Slim model in Spain has increased by €100, and the version with an optical drive has risen by €50. By comparison, during the same stage of the PlayStation 4 lifecycle, the price was almost halved. If this trend continues, the current PS5 price may remain unchanged until the end of its lifecycle.
