Sony is already seeing the impact of its recent price increases on PlayStation 5 sales in Japan, with early data pointing to a sharp decline in demand — and an unexpected boost for Microsoft’s Xbox.
New figures shared by Famitsu (via Gematsu) reveal that some PS5 models saw sales drop by as much as 80% within a week of the price hike.
Sales Drop Immediately After Price Increase
The price adjustments took effect on April 2, pushing the standard disc version of the PlayStation 5 to around ¥97,980 (roughly $616), while the PlayStation 5 Pro climbed to approximately ¥137,980 (about $887).
The impact was swift. Weekly sales of the disc-based PS5 dropped from 2,801 units to just 558. Similarly, PS5 Pro sales fell dramatically from 4,662 units to only 840.
These numbers suggest that even a few days of higher pricing were enough to significantly cool buyer interest in premium PlayStation hardware.
This week’s Japan Famitsu Hardware Sales!
1. Switch 2 – 59,543
2. Switch – 16,342
3. PS5 – 13,539
4. Xbox Series – 932https://t.co/3bQH5zDHne pic.twitter.com/TIfX0upw6bContents— Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) April 9, 2026
Budget Model Softens the Blow
One exception to the decline was the region-locked digital-only PS5 variant, which remained priced at ¥55,000 (around $346). This more affordable option actually saw a slight increase in sales, reaching 12,141 units.
While this helped offset some losses, the growth appears largely driven by its lower price point and limited-language availability, making it a niche but attractive option for budget-conscious buyers in Japan.
Nintendo and Xbox Gain Momentum
Meanwhile, Nintendo continues to dominate the Japanese market. The Nintendo Switch 2 once again led weekly sales with an impressive 59,543 units.
More notably, Xbox is beginning to show signs of life in the region. The Xbox Series X nearly matched the combined sales of the higher-priced PlayStation models, indicating a potential shift in consumer behavior as prices rise.
No Easy Option Outside Japan
Unlike Japan, other markets currently lack a lower-cost, region-locked PS5 option. While some retailers are still selling consoles at older prices, that stock is expected to run out soon.
This raises concerns that similar sales declines could occur globally once the higher pricing becomes standard across all regions.
Conclusion
The latest data highlights how sensitive console demand can be to pricing. With steep increases pushing the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro into higher price brackets, Sony is already seeing a sharp drop in sales in Japan. At the same time, competitors like Nintendo and Microsoft are benefiting — a trend that could expand globally if pricing pressures continue.
Via: Gematsu