Summary
- The PS5 disc drive shortage has persisted since the launch of the PS5 Pro, exacerbated by scalpers driving up prices.
- Both the US and UK PS Direct storefronts remain out of stock, with drives selling out immediately upon restocking.
- Sony has not yet issued a statement regarding the ongoing shortage.
The ongoing shortage of separate PlayStation 5 disc drives continues to frustrate fans eager to enhance their PS5 Pro experience. Sony introduced an attachable PS5 disc drive in 2023 as an accessory for its digital-only PlayStation 5 models. However, its significance surged following the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro in 2024, which comes exclusively without a physical disc drive. This design choice has made the standalone disc drive a crucial component for gamers who wish to upgrade their hardware while retaining the ability to play games on disc.
Since the PS5 Pro's release in November 2024, demand for the PS5 disc drive has led to a persistent shortage, with PlayStation's PS Direct website struggling to keep up with the demand. In regions like the UK, scalpers have capitalized on the situation, buying up the drives and reselling them at significantly higher prices. This scenario echoes the initial launch challenges of the base PlayStation 5 in 2020. The elevated prices of these resold PS5 disc drives add to the frustration, especially since the PS5 Pro itself is already a costly investment.
According to PlayStation Lifestyle, the PS5 disc drive shortage shows no signs of abating. Both the US and UK PS Direct storefronts remain out of stock, with any new inventory quickly disappearing. While some third-party retailers like Best Buy and Target occasionally restock the drives, these opportunities are fleeting, leaving many gamers still without a drive.
PS5 Disc Drive Shortage Continues
Scalpers have been quick to exploit the high demand for the PS5 disc drive, which is essential for complementing the disc-less PS5 Pro. Surprisingly, Sony has yet to address the ongoing shortage, despite the company's previous efforts to maintain PS5 production during the 2020 pandemic.
The PS5 Pro's lack of an integrated disc drive has been a contentious issue since its announcement in September. Purchasing the standalone PS5 Slim Disc Drive directly from Sony adds an additional $80 to the console's already steep price. With scalpers inflating prices and stock shortages persisting, many PlayStation 5 enthusiasts are left waiting for supply to increase and demand to decrease—a resolution that seems distant.
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