This story is part of Holiday Gift Guide 2020, CNET’s gift picks with expert advice, reviews and recommendations for the latest tech gifts for you and your family.
If getting a PlayStation 5 has been a high priority for you this fall, you’re probably learning to get used to disappointment. The PS5 launched back on Nov. 12 and, based on the reaction of gamers online, few people managed to claim one during its online-only release. In the ensuing weeks — including on Black Friday — stores have gotten additional inventory and once again sold out more or less instantly. We know that a few retailers, like Walmart and Antonline, have used Twitter to keep customers informed about inventory drops. But aside from that, if you want a PS5, you have no choice but to keep an eye on Twitter and retailer product pages. And regularly check this page.
The PS5 is available in two versions: the $400 digital-only version and the $500 model with Blu-ray. (If you have good broadband and don’t need optical discs — for Blu-ray movies, used games or old PS4 games — we recommend you go with the $400 version.) Everyone agrees the PS5 is a great next-gen gaming console; the only debate is on where to get one.
Right now, there’s no indication of inventory at any of the major retailers, so your chances of scoring a console are not, shall we say, encouraging. If you have especially deep pockets, there are pricey bundles at GameStop and resellers at sites like eBay and StockX, but they’re going to cost you upwards of $800 to $1,000. If you want the PS5 at retail price — $400 to $500, depending on the model — then you’ll have to wait for retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon, GameStop and Best Buy to build up some inventory, and that could carry us well into 2021. Even so, we’ll keep this page updated with news about any inventory drops. We’ve also pulled together a list of retailers that might restock the PS5 throughout the rest of 2020.
I think I speak for everyone when I say: Hey retailers, for the love of PS5, please implement a Captcha system on your checkout page to make sure only human beings are ordering your products.
Read more at GameSpot: Latest PS5 news and complete coverage
PS5 restock possibilities for Cyber Monday 2020
You can check out Amazon’s page for the $400 Digital Edition via the button below, or, if you’d rather, get in line for the PS5 with Blu-ray for $500.
Best Buy is offering the PS5 with Blu-ray for $500 as well as the $400 Digital Edition (which you can find by clicking the button below). The retailer is also offering a slew of accessories on its PS5 landing page.
You can check inventory on the $400 Digital Edition at Walmart by clicking the button below, or you can try to snag the pricier PS5 with Blu-ray for $500.
Target will be offering the PS5 with Blu-ray for $500 in addition to the PS5 Digital Edition, which you can find by clicking the button below.
OK, you’ve exhausted all of the online and brick-and-mortar retailers, and you’ve decided you’re willing to pay upwards of a $300 markup to get this puppy by Christmas. As your friend, we have to tell you: Don’t do it. But if you don’t want to listen to us, you might want to check out StockX, an eBay alternative that made its name in the secondary market for sneakers and designer clothing. Last time we checked, prices for the PS5 were hovering around $820.
First published earlier in the year. Updated with the latest news about the PS5.
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