After many months of speculation and deliberation, we finally know exactly how much the PlayStation 5 is going to cost, as well as when it will launch and how you can pre-order it. Unfortunately, that last part is shrouded in some uncertainty right now; at time of writing, PS5 pre-orders are completely sold out on UK online stores, although checking storefronts sporadically may reward you with a chance to get your pre-order in if you’re eagle-eyed.
Here’s the crucial information you need to know. The PS5’s price and launch date were both announced during Sony’s PS5 showcase yesterday, see our summary coverage here. The console will cost £449 for the disc-based version and a mere £359 for the digital edition. That’s a pretty startling difference, and it means the digital version has come in much cheaper than we initially suspected it might. Next-gen gaming with Sony doesn’t have to cost the earth, and you’re getting the same exact specs as you would with the disc version, only without the possibility of playing physical media.
Next, the release date. It’s now been officially confirmed that Sony’s PlayStation 5 will be launching on November 12th. That puts it two days later than Microsoft’s Xbox Series range, but we’re betting Sony is confident enough in its launch lineup (more on which in a moment) that the extra couple of days won’t faze them. That November 12th date is worldwide, too, so there won’t be any kind of staggered launch for the PS5 in major territories. You’ll be able to get yours at the same time as everyone else.
So, what about that launch lineup? It’s looking pretty impressive. Here’s the list of first-party games you can expect to play when PS5 launches in November:
- Astro’s Playroom – packaged with all consoles
- Demon’s Souls
- Destruction AllStars
- Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure
You’ll also be able to get the following accessories at launch, with more inevitably becoming available in the future:
- DualSense Wireless Controller
- Pulse 3D Wireless Headset
- HD PlayStation Camera
- Media Remote
- DualSense Charging Station
Now, onto the pre-order debacle. We knew Sony’s console would be immensely popular, but we hadn’t bargained on just how popular. At the time of writing, every major UK digital outlet is sold out of PS5 pre-orders, so your only chance of being able to reserve one is if you’re lucky enough for your nearest brick-and-mortar gaming store to still have some hypothetical stock left over. Digital storefronts have pledged to keep renewing stock, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to get one if you hang on, but you’ll need to be super-quick.
So, that’s the state of the PlayStation 5 right now. We’re incredibly excited to get our hands on one, and we’re surprised the discless version is so gosh darn affordable. What’s your favourite launch game for the PS5? Which version of the console will you be getting? Have you been able to secure a pre-order? Let us know!