PlayStation 5 Disc Drive Shortage Frustrating Fans

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Summary

  • The PS5 disc drive shortage has continued since the launch of the PS5 Pro, with scalpers driving up prices.
  • Both the US and UK PS Direct storefronts are still out of drives, and stock continues to disappear as soon as it comes in.
  • Sony has yet to comment on the shortage.

The current scarcity of standalone PlayStation 5 disc drives persists, causing annoyance among fans eager to acquire one for their PS5 Pro. In 2023, Sony introduced an additional PS5 disc drive, designed as an accessory for its digital-only PlayStation 5 versions. With the launch and release of the PS5 Pro in 2024, this add-on found a new purpose. The PS5 Pro, unveiled without a physical disc drive, has made the previous accessory highly sought after by gamers who wish to upgrade their hardware while retaining their disc-based games.

Since the launch of the PS5 Pro in November 2024, demand for the PS5 disc drive has exceeded supply due to its popularity. This shortage is causing issues for PlayStation’s own website, PS Direct, as it struggles to keep up with demand. In countries like the UK, unscrupulous resellers (scalpers) are buying up these drives and selling them at inflated prices, similar to what happened during the release of the regular PlayStation 5 in 2020. This has made it difficult for consumers who want a PS5 disc drive because the consoles they are intended to complement are already quite expensive.

It appears that things aren’t likely to improve regarding the PS5 disc drive issue, according to PlayStation Lifestyle. As we speak, both the US and UK PS Direct stores are still out of stock, with supplies vanishing as quickly as they arrive. While some third-party retailers like Best Buy and Target have occasionally offered PS5 disc drives during random restocks, this barely scratches the surface for the many gamers who remain without one.

PS5 Disc Drive Shortage Continues

Previously mentioned, scalpers swiftly realized the increasing need for the PS5 disc drive as an additional component for the PS5 Pro without a disc drive. Instead of acquiring the console, they appear to be stockpiling the drive itself, creating a scarcity that fans find surprising given Sony’s attempts to boost PS5 production amidst the 2020 pandemic, a period when the company was actively manufacturing these consoles. However, Sony has yet to address this ongoing shortage publicly.

The debate over the PS5 Pro not having an integrated disc drive has been intense since its initial reveal in September, as the additional cost of purchasing the separate PS5 Slim Disc Drive from Sony’s official stores amounts to around $80, significantly increasing the console’s price. With scalpers buying up these devices and prices rising due to this shortage, many PlayStation 5 enthusiasts find themselves in a predicament, forced to wait for supply levels to improve and demand to decrease – a situation that doesn’t appear to be improving any time soon.

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2025-01-06 21:37