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 market.
Sony executive Isabelle Tomatis said in a blog post that the company is operating in a “challenging economic environment.” All three console models will cost more. The Pro edition will now sell for $749.99.
Tariffs drive up consumer costs
The price increase follows tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on several trade partners, including Japan. These measures raised concerns about higher expenses for American consumers. 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 remain unchanged and no other regions will see increases at this time.
Import duties weigh on the gaming sector
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 currency fluctuations.
Other gaming companies increased prices as well. Nintendo raised the original Switch cost, while popular titles like Mario Kart World now sell for £75, drawing criticism from players. Microsoft also increased prices for Xbox consoles and accessories in multiple countries.
Global brands warn on tariffs
Several major firms warned about tariff impacts in recent months. US retailer Home Depot said import taxes could push up prices on certain products. CFO Richard McPhail told the Wall Street Journal: “Tariff rates are far higher now than last quarter. This will cause modest increases in some categories, though not across the board.”
In July, Adidas said tariffs would add €200 million to its costs, prompting higher prices for American customers. Nike raised prices on selected shoes and clothing in May and later warned tariffs could increase costs by about $1 billion.
