Summary
- The PS5 disc drive shortage persists since the launch of the PS5 Pro, exacerbated by scalpers who are driving up prices.
- Both the US and UK PS Direct storefronts remain out of stock, with new inventory quickly disappearing.
- Sony has not yet made any statements regarding the ongoing shortage.
The ongoing shortage of standalone PlayStation 5 disc drives continues to frustrate fans eager to enhance their PS5 Pro experience. Sony introduced the attachable PS5 disc drive in 2023 as an accessory for the digital-only PlayStation 5 models. Its significance grew after the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro in 2024, which does not include a physical disc drive. This has made the accessory essential for gamers wishing to maintain their physical game collections while upgrading to the latest hardware.
Since the PS5 Pro's debut in November 2024, the demand for the PS5 disc drive has led to a persistent shortage. The PlayStation's own PS Direct website has struggled to keep up with the demand, with stocks vanishing almost immediately upon restocking. In regions like the UK, scalpers have capitalized on the scarcity, reselling the drives at significantly higher prices. This situation echoes the initial launch of the base PlayStation 5 in 2020, further complicating matters for consumers who are already investing in the costly PS5 Pro.
According to PlayStation Lifestyle, the PS5 disc drive shortage shows no signs of abating. Both the US and UK PS Direct storefronts remain sold out, and any new stock is quickly depleted. While some third-party retailers such as Best Buy and Target occasionally have limited stock, only a fortunate few manage to secure a drive during these sporadic drops, leaving many gamers still in need.
PS5 Disc Drive Shortage Continues
Scalpers have swiftly recognized the increased demand for the PS5 disc drive as an essential add-on for the disc-less PS5 Pro, choosing to hoard the drives rather than the consoles themselves. Remarkably, Sony has not issued any comments on the ongoing shortage, a silence that contrasts with their proactive measures to maintain PS5 production during the 2020 global health crisis.
The absence of a built-in disc drive in the PS5 Pro has sparked significant controversy since its announcement in September. Purchasing the standalone PS5 Slim Disc Drive directly from Sony adds approximately $80 to the already substantial cost of the console. With scalpers driving up prices, many PlayStation 5 enthusiasts find themselves with no option but to wait for supply to increase and demand to decrease—a scenario that appears unlikely in the near future.
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