Sony will raise the price of the PlayStation 5 in the United States by around $50 starting Thursday. The Japanese company faces rising production costs and slowing demand in the gaming industry.
Sony executive Isabelle Tomatis said in a blog post that the firm is operating in a “challenging economic environment.” All three console models will become more expensive. The Pro edition will now sell for $749.99.
Tariffs add pressure on US consumers
The increase follows tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on several trade partners, including Japan. These measures have raised concerns about higher costs for American buyers. Tomatis said: “We made the difficult decision to raise the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the US starting August 21.” The base edition will now cost $499.99.
Sony confirmed accessory prices will stay the same and said no other regions will face increases for now.
Import duties hit the gaming market
US importers of Japanese goods currently pay a 15% tariff. Earlier this year, Sony raised console prices in Europe and the UK, citing inflation and fluctuating currency rates.
Other gaming companies followed suit. Nintendo raised the original Switch price, and popular games like Mario Kart World now sell for £75, sparking criticism from players. Microsoft also increased prices for Xbox consoles and accessories in several countries.
Global firms react to tariffs
Several major companies warned recently about the effects of tariffs. US retailer Home Depot said import taxes could increase prices on some products. CFO Richard McPhail told the Wall Street Journal: “Tariff rates are far higher now than last quarter. This will cause modest price increases in some categories, though not across the board.”
In July, Adidas said tariffs would add €200 million to costs, leading to higher prices for US customers. Nike raised prices on selected shoes and clothing in May and later warned tariffs could push costs up by about $1 billion.
