Other than a really solid stream of new games releasing throughout the years at any given time, it is a tough time to be a gamer.
The ongoing memory crisis, tariffs, and general global instability have made the hobby a true luxury, with people getting priced out at every corner as costs rise across the board. But this latest development is genuinely worrying to me.
GameStop, the largest video game store chain in the US, is now selling the PS5 Pro at $1,399 or higher. Yeah, you read that right. The price that would’ve gotten you a really solid gaming PC is now what they are charging for a home console.
Yesterday, Nintendeal posted a GameStop employee memo revealing that the price for the PS5 Pro would be changing on Oct. 16, and that pre-owned consoles would have an “intentional” higher price. Checking out the GameStop website, the PS5 Pro is now listed at $1,399, with the pre-owned coming in at $1,329.99, so the change hasn’t been made yet.
$1,400 US dollars for a PlayStation. We all know things are bad, but it’s gotten to the point that it’s really difficult to recommend gaming as a hobby for anybody.
The fact is that GameStop is one of the front-facing chains when it comes to video games in the US, especially for casual gamers, and people looking to pick something up for their kids for their birthday or a holiday. Imagine an unassuming parent heading into GameStop and seeing this price tag. Unless they are extremely well off financially, it’s a big issue. And it’s not just GameStop, either. Walmart and Best Buy are pricing the console similarly.
And then, even if you want to go the pre-owned route (which is usually cheaper), it’s now apparently going to be even higher? That’s a MASSIVE issue. Nintendeal conjects that pre-owned consoles are easier to jailbreak, which is becoming more and more common as players look to circumvent the system to pirate games, leading to the higher price tag.
It could also be due in part to GameStop trying to capitalize on the general public soon looking to invest in a console before Grand Theft Auto 6 arrives, or a combination of factors. Either way, this sucks.
If you don’t already have a PS5 or PS5 Pro, it’s looking bleak. And to be honest, the other platforms aren’t looking all that great either. But at least we have a plethora of AI data centers springing up everywhere!
