PlayStation has officially revealed a brand-new and pretty slick console model, and select members of the community will be able to acquire the hardware later this year. There are already some discussions about the impending release of the PlayStation 6 hardware, expected to arrive in a few years. Sony hasn’t made any formal announcements yet, but given how long console lifecycles last and the fact that the PS5 was released in 2020, some speculate that we may see the PS6 in 2028. Nevertheless, the PS5 ecosystem is still getting some attention.

As was reported by Game Rant’s Joshua Duckworth, PlayStation 5 will have a brand-new console release this year. According to the report, Sony has announced a new PlayStation 5 Midnight Black Digital Edition console. This will be a new take on the hardware’s cheaper digital-only version, though with the fan-favorite Midnight Black design. The new PlayStation console will be released in November, but there is a big catch to its introduction to the market.

The new PlayStation 5 hardware release will happen on November 19, but exclusively in Japan. The product will be priced at 55,000 yen, which translates to around $349 dollars. The catch with this release, however, is that the PS5 Digital Edition Midnight Black model will be region-locked to Japan, according to Game Rant. Effectively, this means that the new console will only be compatible with Japanese PlayStation Network accounts and will have a Japanese language lock. If you’re not from Japan, it may not be worth trying to snag this new console.

The new PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Midnight Black console will have 825 GB of SSD storage, plus all the other features you would expect from a PS5. Pre-orders for the console start on October 20 via local Japanese stores and retailers. As reported by Game Rant, Sony will also release a Midnight Black disc drive on November 19 – this is a bit surprising considering the definitive end of physical media for PlayStation 5 starting in January 2028.

For Japanese players, this may be an exciting new option, especially for those who haven’t shifted into the current hardware generation. There have been no announcements or teases about an equivalent Midnight Black PS5 console release in Western markets so far.

As we approach the end of the PS5 lifecycle – though there are rumors it may be extended because of the current global hardware scenario – we look further into what the PlayStation 6 could offer, and what Sony’s gaming future will look like without physical media. There are a lot of big changes going on within the PlayStation ecosystem this year, many of which were met with controversy.

Brand

Sony

Original Release Date

November 12, 2020

Original MSRP (USD)

$499, €499, £449, ¥49,980 (Base) / $399, €399, £359, ¥39,980 (Digital),

Operating System

Orbis OS

Storage

825 GB NVMe SSD

VR Support

Yes, PS VR2