Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) confirmed the PlayStation 5 console (PS5) release date as November 12, 2020. The entertainment juggernaut also unveiled a host of updates to the PS5 game portfolio, making good on its promise to deliver big news. Below, you will find a comprehensive guide to the Sony PS5, including release date, pricing, availability and games.
Sony PS5 Release Date Australia
In an event in September 2020, Sony revealed that the PS5 would be coming mid-November, confirming the ‘holiday period’ timeframe offered earlier this year. The brand initially outlined November 12 as the PS5 launch date for seven key markets, including Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan and South Korea. This was to be followed by the final roll-out to remaining markets on November 19, with areas such as Europe, Middle East, South America, Asia and South Africa to score the console from that point.
“Since we first announced our next generation console last year, we have received astounding support from developers and gaming fans all around the world, and it’s truly humbling,” said Jim Ryan, president and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment.
“Now we are just a couple of months away from launching PS5, which will offer a new generation of experiences that go beyond players’ expectations of how games can look, feel, sound, and play. We can’t wait for our fans to experience for themselves the incredible speed, the heightened immersion and the breathtaking games on PS5 when we launch this November”.
Sony PS5 Price Australia
With the announcement that the PS5 was incumbent, Sony went on to drop some further details about the long-awaited console. While we already knew there would be two variations of the console, a PS5 Digital Edition and a PS5 with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive, there was still a lot of mystery surrounding the pricing. Come early Thursday, Sony delivered the goods.
According to the tech giant, the PS5 Digital Edition will be available for a recommended retail price of AUD$599.95, which downplays previous rumours that we may be in for a monster price tag in excess of AUD$1,000. For true die-hards, the PS5 with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive is set to go for AUD$749.95.
The good news is that both PS5 models use the same custom processor with integrated CPU and GPU, meaning you can enjoy the high-fidelity graphics up to 4K either way. Additionally, both score the same ultra-high-speed SSD with integrated I/O that Sony claims will deliver lightning-fast loading.
“Both PS5 models also offer a deepened sense of immersion through the DualSense wireless controller and 3D audio capabilities, so players will enjoy the same transformative gameplay experiences regardless of which PS5 they choose,” Sony said.
Price Increase for Australia
In August 2022, Sony confirmed a PS5 price increase was to hit “select markets,” including Australia, the first hike for the next-gen console since the concole’s launch two years prior. The console manufacturer has cited the “global economic environment”, including high inflation rates as the reason behind the increase in the price of PlayStation 5s.
“The global economic environment is a challenge that many of you around the world are no doubt experiencing,” Ryan said. “We’re seeing high global inflation rates, as well as adverse currency trends, impacting consumers and creating pressure on many industries. Based on these challenging economic conditions, SIE has made the difficult decision to increase the recommended retail price (RRP) of PlayStation 5 in select markets.”
From the statement, it’s evident that Sony and PlayStation are holding “high global inflation rates, as well as adverse currency trends, impacting consumers and creating pressure on many industries” accountable for this recent increase in prices. Europe, the UK, Japan, China, Mexico, Australia, and Canada are the markets that will be impacted by this price increase. The price hike is effective immediately (except in Japan), so there’s no way one can get the console at a cheaper rate now. In Australia, prices for both the disc and digital versions of the PlayStation 5 have been increased by around $50. With this new announcement, here’s a look at all the revised PS5 prices in all the affected markets below:
- Australia
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – AUD $799.95
- PS5 Digital Edition – AUD $649.99
- Europe
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – €549.99
- PS5 Digital Edition – €449.99
- UK
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – £479.99
- PS5 Digital Edition – £389.99
- Japan (effective Sept. 15, 2022)
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – ¥60,478 yen (including tax)
- PS5 Digital Edition – ¥49,478 yen (including tax)
- China
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – ¥4,299 yuan
- PS5 Digital Edition – ¥3,499 yuan
- Mexico
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – MXN $14,999
- PS5 Digital Edition – MXN $12,499
- Canada
- PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – CAD $649.99
- PS5 Digital Edition – CAD $519.99
PS5 Accessories Prices Australia
The 2020 PS5 design reveal and new game announcements, also came with some accessory updates. Jim Ryan, president and CEO of SIE also unveiled a slate of new PS5 accessories set to elevate the overall gaming experience. Among them was a PULSE 3D wireless headset that offers 3D audio support and dual noise-cancelling microphones and an HD Camera that features dual 1080p lenses for gamers to broadcast themselves along with their gameplay. Further, Sony also dropped a new media remote with built-in microphone and a DualSense Charging Station for convenient charging of two DualSense Wireless Controllers. Pricing for the PS5 accessories is below:
- DualSense Wireless Controller – AUD$109.95
- PULSE 3D wireless headset – AUD$159.95.
- HD Camera with dual 1080p lenses – AUD$99.95
- Media Remote – AUD$49.95
- DualSense Charging Station – AUD$49.95
PS5 Hardware
In June 2020, the first official images of the sleek white system confirmed suspicions that Sony would transfer to a more palatable tone, following the release of the DualSense controller. What’s more, Sony announced that two variations of the PS5 would be on offer; a PlayStation 5 console with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive and a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition without a disc drive.
“The PS5 gameplay experience will be the same, so the choice is all yours,” Sid Shuman from SIE content communications said. “While there are some slight differences in the look of each model, for the overall design, we wanted to deliver a console that’s bold, stunning, and unlike any previous generation of PlayStation.”
Sony PS5 Games Revealed
In addition to the PS5 design reveal, Sony also served up a bevy of first-look game announcements, kicking off with Marvel’s Spider-Man Miles Morales. Eight further titles from SIE and second-party partners were also unveiled in the PS5 showcase, including a long-awaited addition to the Ratchet & Clank franchise, a new Gran Turismo instalment and the latest release for Guerilla Games, Horizon Forbidden West. The showcase also featured reveals from third-party publishers, which gave fans even more to cheer about.
“With PlayStation 5, we are making a significant leap to deliver a truly new generation of transformative play experiences that will redefine expectations for what games can be,” said Jim Ryan, president and CEO of SIE. “Worlds will be richer and more beautiful, they’ll captivate your senses in ways you didn’t think possible, and you’ll be able to experience them much more seamlessly, with lightning fast loading. Today’s showcase is just a glimpse of what’s to come in the next generation, and we want to thank our community for taking this journey to PS5’s launch with us.”
