Beyond the vague promise of 'holiday 2020', the PS5 release date remains a thing of mystery. But now an interesting rumour suggests that Japan could get early access to the console before the rest of the the world.
While we wait for the console's official launch date to be announced, Amazon product pages have started to appear: the PS5 Standard Edition and PS5 Digital Edition both have Amazon product pages, but neither of them states a date.
BE WARNED: Digital Edition could cost MORE in the long run
Keep reading to learn all about the rumour that PS5 release date could reach Japan first...
PS5 release date rumour suggests early access for Japan
A prominent leaker, Tom Henderson, suggests that the PS5 price will cost $499 USD in the USA or £449 GBP in the UK.
He tweeted this prediction, as well as stating that the PS5 release date will be 14th November in Japan and 20th November everywhere else - this suggests that Sony's native Japan could be getting early access to the console, before gamers in the USA, UK or Europe get to have a go.
However, with no source to back this claim up, we'll take it with a pinch of salt for now. The word really does need to come from Sony if you want the world to believe it.
Around about the middle of November does sound about right, though, with the prominent Twitter account @PS5Only also backing up this particular PS5 release date prediction...
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Is there a precedent for a staggered PS5 release?
Yes! Every PlayStation console launch to date has had a staggered release of some sort, even though the idea of launching in limited regions does seem a bit old-hat in 2020.
The original PlayStation One console launched in Japan on 3 December 1994, before hitting North America on 9 September 1995. Europe got the console on 29 September 1995, and Australia got in on the action on 15 November 1995.
The PS2 launched in Japan on 4 March 2000, before reaching North America on 26 October 2000, Europe on 24 November 2000, and Australia on 30 November 2000.
The PS3 launched in Japan on 11 November 2006, before reaching North America on 17 November 2006, and the wider PAL region on 23 March 2007.
The script seemed to flip with the launch of the PS4, which reached North America on 15th November 2013 and the PAL region on 29 November 2013, before coming to Japan on 22 February 2014.
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PS5 will NOT be delayed by Coronavirus
The good news is that the PS5 release date will not be pushed back by Coronavirus. Having spoken to Sony execs, Bloomberg reports that "the PlayStation 5 remains on track for a release at the end of this year."
Furthermore, "Software for the new console is also on schedule, the company said, as it hasn’t seen any major impact on games development."
Previous rumours suggested an October launch window for the PS5, but Sony did not make any official comment on those rumours. Likewise, Sony has not commented on the rumours about an early launch in Japan for the PS5, so it's all rumours and guesswork at this stage.
We'll just keep refreshing the Amazon product page in the hope of seeing a PS5 release date and price...
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