Sony hikes PlayStation 5 prices in US, facing tariff uncertainties

Video game industry's growth dimmed by delayed titles, console price hikes

20250820N PlayStation 5

The Sony PlayStation 5 logo appears on the packaging of gaming software at consumer electronics retailer Bic Camera in Tokyo. © Reuters

(Reuters) -- Sony will raise prices of its PlayStation 5 consoles in the United States by around $50 from Thursday, as the Japanese conglomerate navigates a slow recovery in the video game market while U.S. tariffs threaten to raise costs.

All three PlayStation 5 consoles will see a similar price hike, with the most expensive PS5 Pro version expected to cost $749.99, the company said in a blog post on Wednesday.

The price changes come after U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on imports from global manufacturing hubs such as China and Japan, leading to fears of supply chain disruptions and high material costs.

Sony had raised prices of its consoles in various European markets in April. Rival Xbox also hiked sticker prices of its consoles and accessories in the U.S., Europe, Australia and the U.K. a month later.

Consoles were expected to be a major driver of video game market growth this year due to the launch of premium titles such as Take-Two Interactive's Grand Theft Auto VI and Nintendo's Switch 2.

But console price hikes and the delay of highly anticipated GTA VI to next year have cast some doubt on the pace of growth in the industry.

On Wednesday, Sony said there are no price changes for other markets and prices of PlayStation 5 accessories remain unchanged.

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