PS5 sales in Japan took a sharp hit right after Sony’s latest price increases, offering an early sign that higher console prices may be pushing buyers to hold off. New weekly sales figures from Japan show a steep drop for the PS5 and PS5 Pro models that became more expensive on April 2, while one specific digital PS5 version appears to be cushioning the blow.
For the week ending April 5, multiple PS5 models recorded a dramatic decline compared with the previous week. Some versions fell by as much as 80% in weekly units sold, suggesting that even a short stretch of higher pricing can quickly cool demand. While the reporting period includes a few days before the increase fully took effect, the trend is already clear: shoppers are balking at pricier PlayStation hardware.
In Japan, the standard PS5 with a disc drive climbed again, landing at ¥97,980 (about $616). The PS5 Pro moved even further into premium territory at ¥137,980 (roughly $887). After these changes, the disc-drive PS5 dropped to 558 units sold for the week, down from 2,801 the week prior. The PS5 Pro showed a similar slide, falling from 4,662 units to 840.
The biggest exception is the digital PS5 option that remains much cheaper in Japan. A language-restricted, region-locked digital PS5 introduced in November is still priced at ¥55,000 (around $346), and digital PS5 sales actually rose slightly to 12,141 units. That increase likely reflects buyers shifting away from the newly expensive models and toward the significantly more affordable digital alternative.
Japan’s broader console landscape makes the contrast even starker. Nintendo continues to dominate the market, with the Switch 2 holding a commanding lead at 59,543 units sold for the week. Meanwhile, the Xbox Series X also gained ground and nearly matched the combined results of the PlayStation models most affected by the price rise, adding pressure in a market where PlayStation is already fighting an uphill battle.
One reason the budget-friendly digital PS5 is gaining attention is simple value. At close to half the price of the next-cheapest alternative, it’s an easy choice for cost-conscious shoppers—if they can live with the restrictions. Because it’s region-locked, owners are limited to Japanese PlayStation Network accounts, which won’t suit everyone. Still, in a period of rising prices and tight budgets, that tradeoff may feel worth it to many buyers.
For gamers outside Japan, the situation is less encouraging. There isn’t an equivalent budget-friendly, region-locked PS5 model widely available in other regions, meaning buyers elsewhere may have fewer lower-cost options if prices rise. Some retailers may keep older pricing temporarily until existing inventory sells through, but once that supply is gone, the higher costs could become the new normal.
Japan is often an early indicator of shifting console demand, especially when pricing changes are involved. If the same buyer resistance appears in other markets, Sony could face a broader slowdown in PS5 and PS5 Pro sales—right as competition across the console space continues to intensify.
