Sony has announced an increase in the recommended retail prices (RRPs) for PlayStation 5 consoles across several regions, including Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. This decision comes as a response to the challenging economic climate, characterized by high inflation rates and fluctuating exchange rates.

The price adjustments were officially confirmed via a post on the PlayStation Blog and will take effect starting April 14. Here's a breakdown of the new RRPs:

• Europe:
  • PS5 Digital Edition – €500 (The price of the standard PS5 with disc drive remains unchanged)
• UK:
  • PS5 Digital Edition – £430 (The price of the standard PS5 with disc drive remains unchanged)
• Australia:
  • Standard PS5 with disc drive – AUD $830
  • PS5 Digital Edition – AUD $750
• New Zealand:
  • Standard PS5 with disc drive – NZD $950
  • PS5 Digital Edition – NZD $860

It's worth noting that the price of the PS5 Pro has not been affected by these changes.

This move follows similar RRP increases implemented in 2022, making the PS5 significantly more expensive in many regions compared to its initial launch prices. In Europe and the UK, the PS5 Digital Edition has seen a €100/£70 increase from its launch price of €400/£360. In Australia, the standard PS5 has risen by AUD $80 from AUD $750, while the digital edition has increased by AUD $150 from AUD $600. New Zealand has experienced a NZD $130 increase for the standard PS5 from NZD $820, and a NZD $210 hike for the digital version from NZD $650.

Interestingly, the RRP of the PS5 disc drive is being reduced to €80/£70/AUD $125/NZD $140, offering some relief amidst the overall price surge.