PS5 price hike shocks gamers ahead of GTA 6 launch: Sony blames economy, fans blame timing

Right when gamers around the world are counting down the months until GTA VI drops, Sony just quietly made a move that’s turning heads and wallets. The tech giant has raised the price of its PlayStation 5 consoles in several major markets, from Europe to Australia. But this isn't just a case of inflation gone rogue. The real story? It's a mix of geopolitical chess, upcoming demand surges, and the shadow of one of the biggest game launches in history.


Starting April 14, 2025, Sony officially bumped the prices for the PS5 Digital Edition across key regions. Europe now pays €499.99 (up from €449.99), the UK now pays £389.99 (up from £359.99), and in Australia and New Zealand, the console will cost AUD $649.95 and NZD $799.95 respectively.
The U.S.? No changes.
Sony says the price hike is in response to "challenging economic conditions"—code for inflation, currency swings, and rising production costs. And while that may check out on paper, fans aren’t buying that timing is just a coincidence. After all, GTA VI is expected to break every console sales record and now Sony’s making sure each of those purchases nets them just a bit more cash.


Here’s where it gets even more interesting. While Sony didn’t name-drop tariffs directly, experts are pointing fingers at long-standing U.S. trade policies that are still rippling through the global tech market. Under the Trump administration, video game consoles were hit with steep import tariffs, especially on components made in China.
As Polygon reported, these tariffs still classify consoles as "toys" rather than tech, keeping them on the surcharge list. While the U.S. government recently restructured certain tech exclusions, gaming consoles weren’t among them. And even though Sony’s hike didn’t affect U.S. prices (yet), the global supply chain squeeze is affecting everyone.
So whether it’s tariffs, currency drops, or component shortages, someone’s got to eat the cost. And Sony just passed the plate to European and Aussie gamers.
Also read - Is GTA 6 really worth $2 billion? Here’s what we know and what’s just hype
Let’s be real: a ton of gamers were already planning to buy a PS5 just for GTA VI. Now, that purchase will come with a heftier price tag without any additional features, bundles, or hardware upgrades. That alone has sparked fan complaints, especially from players in affected regions who feel like they're being punished for the hype.