This story is part of Christmas gift guide 2020, CNET's gift selection with expert advice, reviews, and recommendations on the latest tech gifts for you and your family.
Hoping to buy one PS5? Unfortunately, this also applies to everyone else. Sony's next generation console was launched in the US about six weeks ago on November 12th, but inventory was not in demand and sold out immediately. Some subsequent inventory losses have played out in the same way since then. Right now, the only consoles you can buy on sites like eBay and StockX are tagged to an obscene level, often at multiples of their retail value of $ 400 or $ 500 (depending on which model you want). The console was otherwise virtually impossible to find as at least one person waited 36 hours in line to grab one at a California GameStop.
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Other inventory losses in recent weeks also sold out immediately, with the scarce inventory available not meeting demand, especially as regular users had to compete with bots and resellers. Just before the holidays, Best Buy offered both versions of the PS5 as well as a bundle that included the console as well as a copy of Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, but the sale didn't last more than 15 minutes, even when the retailer took stock in waves drops. This means that at the moment all retailers are sold out again.
The PS5 is available in two versions: a $ 500 model with Blu-rayand an otherwise identical $ 400 digital-only version with no disc slot. At this point people are happy to get their hands on both of them, but if you don't have an optical disc library - for Blu-ray movies, used games, or old PS4 games - we recommend you Go with the $ 400 version.
Read more at GameSpot:: Latest PS5 news and full coverage
Make sure to check here for news and updates on new PS5 availability. You can also search all of the major retailers to see what their stock levels are. The following list contains links to the PS5 product pages in each store.
PS5 refill options
Best Buy is selling the PS5 with Blu-ray for $ 500 and the Digital Edition for $ 400 (which you can find by clicking the button below). The retailer also offers a range of accessories on its PS5 landing page.
You can search for the $ 400 Digital Edition on the Amazon page using the button below, or you can line up for $ 500 with Blu-ray for the PS5 with Blu-ray.
You can check the inventory of the $ 400 Digital Edition at Walmart by clicking the button below, or you can try the more expensive PS5 with Blu-ray for $ 500.
Target is offering the PS5 with Blu-ray for $ 500 in addition to the PS5 Digital Edition, which you can find by clicking the button below.
OK, you've worn out all of your online and brick-and-mortar retailers and decided to pay up to a $ 300 markup to get this pup by Christmas. As your friends we have to tell you: Do not do it. If you don't want to listen to us, then you should check out StockX, an eBay alternative that made a name for itself in the secondary market for sneakers and designer clothing. The last time we checked, the PS5 was priced around $ 700.
More PS5 coverage
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