{
  "id": 15789135,
  "title": "New Cheaper PS5 Officially Available for Pre-Order Now",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/new-cheaper-ps5-officially-available-for-pre-order-now",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-20T18:31:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Polygon",
    "slug": "polygon",
    "url": "https://www.polygon.com/ps5-midnight-edition-preorders-open-now-japan/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the cost of the PlayStation 5 continues to surge since its 2020 launch, late adopters are finding themselves paying $599 to play Grand Theft Auto 6 in November. Sony is offering some relief in Japan with a new PlayStation 5 console priced around $350. However, this model is only available in Japan. For those willing to go through considerable effort, the cheaper PlayStation 5 is now available for pre-order. The new PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Midnight Black was announced earlier this month, with pre-orders going live on Oct. 20. This edition, priced at 55,000 yen ($350 in the U.S.), comes in a sleek matte-black finish and is digital-only, lacking a built-in disc drive. Despite this, a disc drive add-on is available for those interested in using physical games. The Midnight Black disc drive for PS5 is priced at 11,980 yen ($75). The original Japan-only model, revealed in 2025, aims to provide a lower-priced console in Japan compared to international markets due to import tariffs and trade policies. This variation is identical to the Japan-exclusive PlayStation 5 released last year but in a new colorway. Similar to Nintendo's Japan-only Switch 2, which retails for $315, the PS5 Digital Edition Midnight Black offers a more affordable option in Japan. However, accessing this model is challenging. Online retailers like Amazon Japan and stores like Rakuten and Yodobashi block the sale of the cheaper PS5 model outside of Japan. Additionally, the console is limited to Japanese language and PlayStation accounts set to Japan, preventing use by non-Japanese fans. For non-Japanese consumers, purchasing a second-hand PS5 and buying the Midnight Black console covers from Sony's direct sales website might be a better option. Alternatively, buying a brand-new PlayStation 5 before prices rise again could also be a wise choice.",
  "summary": "Sony's new PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Midnight Black for Japan is now available for pre-order and costs much less than other PS5 models.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}