Quick Look:
- PlayStation 5 Pro launches at $700 but lacks a disc drive, sparking mixed reactions.
- An external Blu-ray drive is sold separately for $80, quickly selling out at major retailers.
- Stock shortages have led to reselling at inflated prices, as pre-orders open soon.
- A disc-less future aligns with gaming’s digital trend but is concerned with physical media collectors.
- Pre-orders begin September 26, with gamers eagerly awaiting performance and availability.
Sony has officially unveiled the much-anticipated PlayStation 5 Pro, sending waves through the gaming community with excitement, bewilderment, and a little sticker shock. Priced at a hefty $700, this upgraded console promises higher frame rates and improved performance, perfect for gamers seeking a more powerful gaming experience. However, there’s a significant catch: the PS5 Pro doesn’t come with a disc drive. As a result, gamers who prefer physical copies of their games have begun scrambling to purchase the optional disc drive, leading to shortages across several major retailers.
The $700 Question: To Disc Or Not To Disc?
The PS5 Pro comes with the promise of enhanced gaming, but it leaves out a feature that some may find essential: the ability to play disc-based games out of the box. Much like the PS5 Digital Edition and Xbox Series S, this souped-up version of the PlayStation 5 doesn’t include a built-in optical drive. For those who prefer or need the ability to play physical copies of games, an additional accessory is available—a Blu-ray drive that will set you back another $80. This modular drive is compatible with the standard PS5 and the PS5 Pro, allowing players to attach it easily.
But here’s the thing: the announcement of the PS5 Pro has sparked a frenzy among gamers, with the disc drive rapidly selling out in many major online stores. If you’re one of those gamers still clinging to your physical game collection, this news might leave you feeling a bit panicked as you watch the available stock dwindle with each passing hour.
Sold Out: The Disc Drive Rush Begins
The moment Sony announced that the PS5 Pro lacked a disc drive, people started flocking to online retailers to grab the external Blu-ray drive. In less than a day, retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target saw their stock wiped clean, with buyers snapping up the accessory faster than anticipated. Walmart’s sales tracker showed over 100 purchases in the last 24 hours alone, and another 200 eager gamers had already added the drive to their carts.
At the time of writing, not all hope is lost. GameStop has some stock left, and the official PlayStation store still shows availability for now. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see these remaining stocks vanish soon as people scramble to secure the accessory before it becomes even more elusive. The sudden demand has also led to opportunistic resellers listing the disc drives on eBay for prices well above retail.
A Market Frenzy: Scalpers On The Horizon
As the PS5 Pro’s official pre-orders approach, set to open on September 26, the market for the external disc drive is heating up. There’s a growing fear among gamers that resellers will buy up remaining stock and flip the drives for outrageous prices. This fear isn’t unfounded, as we’ve seen similar patterns with high-demand tech products in the past. The demand for the PS5 disc drive is already pushing it up Amazon’s best-seller list, where it now outranks even popular game titles like Astro Bot.
So, what’s causing the rush? Many PS5 Pro hopefuls are likely grabbing the disc drive now, anticipating a future where it’s even more difficult to find. Combine this with the fear of inflated reseller prices, and you’ve got a perfect recipe for a feeding frenzy. For those of you planning on buying the PS5 Pro and hoping to use physical media, it’s probably a good idea to snag that drive as soon as possible.
The Pros And Cons Of A Disc-Less Console
The decision to leave out the disc drive from the PS5 Pro is bound to be controversial. On one hand, a fully digital console makes sense in today’s gaming environment. Digital games are increasingly popular, and the convenience of downloading a title without needing to swap discs can’t be denied. For many, a disc-less console is no problem at all—it’s modern, sleek, and represents the future of gaming.
However, there’s still a strong market for physical games, not to mention the appeal of Blu-ray movies for some users. Collectors, especially, might find this shift disheartening. Physical games offer a certain nostalgic and practical charm, from tangible collections to the ability to buy and sell used titles. Plus, internet speed limitations and the sheer size of modern game downloads might make physical copies more appealing for some gamers who don’t have the luxury of ultra-fast broadband.
The Waiting Game: Pre-Orders And The Future Of Gaming
With pre-orders for the PS5 Pro looming on September 26, many gamers are now in wait-and-see mode. Will they be able to grab a disc drive before they sell out everywhere? Will the PS5 Pro live up to its $700 price tag in terms of performance and gameplay experience? And perhaps most importantly, how will this disc-less future affect the gaming industry as a whole?
One thing is certain: the PS5 Pro is set to make waves in the gaming world, whether you’re all-in on digital games or prefer a more traditional gaming experience. In the days ahead, many gamers will no doubt weigh the pros and cons of this new system, deciding whether it’s worth the upgrade or if they’d rather stick with their current setup.
Final Thoughts: Good Luck, Gamers!
If you’re thinking of grabbing the PS5 Pro when it hits the shelves, you may want to act quickly, especially if you’re one of the many gamers who still value physical media. The rush to secure a Blu-ray drive has already begun, and there’s no telling when stock will be replenished. In the meantime, keep an eye on your favorite retailers, and best of luck navigating the world of pre-orders and potential resellers.
In the ever-changing gaming landscape, the PlayStation 5 Pro is yet another step into a more digital, high-performance future. Whether you’re excited about the tech or feeling a little nostalgic for your discs, one thing’s for sure—the PS5 Pro is going to be a hot commodity this year. Get ready!
