We can only dream.
The stunning Midnight Black PlayStation 5 Digital Edition is launching exclusively in Japan on November 19, 2026, for just ¥55,000 (approximately $347 USD).
「PlayStation®5 デジタル・エディション ミッドナイト ブラック 日本語専用」を11月19日（木）に希望小売価格55,000円（税込）で発売！ 日本国内のPlayStation®取扱店およびECサイトにて10月20日（火）より順次予約受付を開始します。 詳しくはこちら⇒ https://t.co/lfCoJBAyqN https://t.co/4u30QvoSpM
— プレイステーション公式 (@PlayStation_jp) October 13, 2026
Sony is also releasing a matching Midnight Black disc drive on the same day, priced at ¥11,980 (approximately $76 USD). Combined, the console and disc drive will cost around $423 USD.
That’s an incredible price, especially considering the PS5 Digital Edition retails for $599.99 in the United States. Even with the additional disc drive, Japan’s Midnight Black bundle comes in significantly cheaper than the US digital console alone.
At that price, this Japanese-exclusive PS5 could even undercut the Nintendo Switch 2, making it a particularly tempting deal for gamers looking to get into the current generation of consoles.
Gamers in this market can use the savings towards a PSVR2 headset. Popular VR games in Japan include Beat Saber, Resident Evil Village, Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Call of the Mountain, and No Man's Sky.
Releasing a more affordable, discounted PS5 is exactly what Sony needs to do to rebuild consumer confidence and counteract some of its recent questionable decisions. With rising gaming costs, expensive hardware, and growing frustration over pricing and business strategies, Sony needs to show players that it still values its loyal customer base.
A lower-priced PS5 would make the console more accessible to budget-conscious gamers and attract new players to the PlayStation ecosystem. Pair that with better value on games, more consumer-friendly pricing, and a stronger focus on what players actually want, and Sony could begin repairing its reputation. Instead of making gaming increasingly expensive, Sony should focus on making PlayStation more accessible, rewarding, and worth investing in.
Sony could also offer a substantial discount on a digital first-party PlayStation title for existing PS5 owners as a goodwill gesture to reward their loyalty. Offering a major first-party game at a significantly reduced price, exclusively to current console owners, would be a relatively simple way to rebuild consumer trust and demonstrate that Sony still values its player base.