The long-awaited PS5 Pro and its special 30th Anniversary Edition hit pre-order on September 26, 2024, and it didn’t take long for chaos to ensue. Within hours, the limited stock had vanished, not into the hands of eager fans, but rather into the clutches of scalpers. Once again, PlayStation enthusiasts are facing sky-high prices on resale platforms, reminiscent of the early PS5 days. Here’s how it unfolded and why scalpers are making off with a fortune.
Scalpers Strike as Soon as Pre-Orders Open
It’s a story that feels all too familiar. As soon as pre-orders went live, the 30th Anniversary Edition of the PS5 Pro sold out almost instantly. Moments later, listings began popping up on resale sites like eBay, with prices reaching well above the official retail price of €1,099. In Europe, offers ranged from €3,000 to an outrageous €7,000, while in the U.S., some sellers were asking for as much as $10,000.
The rush to grab this collector’s item brought back memories of the original PS5 launch during the pandemic, when scalpers cornered the market and resold consoles at exorbitant prices. But this time, the stakes were even higher due to the limited nature of the 30th Anniversary Edition, making it a prime target for those looking to profit.
A Limited Edition That’s Too Exclusive
The 30th Anniversary Edition wasn’t just any console—it was a tribute to three decades of PlayStation, designed with a special aesthetic that turned it into a must-have collector’s item. This kind of exclusivity naturally stoked the interest of scalpers, who quickly swooped in to create an artificial scarcity and drive up prices.
It wasn’t just the console itself that attracted attention; the 30th Anniversary DualSense controller also fell victim to the same trend. Despite being produced in greater numbers than the console, its original price of €79.99 didn’t stand a chance. Soon after the pre-orders closed, resellers were already asking for prices between €200 and €300, nearly quadrupling the original cost.
The situation has left many fans feeling frustrated and cheated. Not only was the special edition already on the expensive side to begin with, but it’s now almost unattainable for those who genuinely wanted it as part of their collection. For long-time PlayStation followers, the 30th anniversary should have been a celebration, not a scramble to beat scalpers to the punch.
Even the Standard PS5 Pro Isn’t Safe from Scalpers
It’s not just the 30th Anniversary Edition that’s seeing inflated prices. The standard PS5 Pro is also facing early signs of scalping. Although not as scarce as its collector’s counterpart, the standard edition’s pre-orders quickly sold out on PlayStation Direct, sparking fears that the same pattern would unfold once it hits other retailers in the coming weeks.
With the console’s official release just around the corner, concerns are already mounting over potential shortages, pushing some buyers to consider paying inflated prices on the secondary market. It’s a situation that has many gamers on edge, worried they may have to fork out extra cash to secure a unit.
Scalping: A Persistent Problem in Gaming
The phenomenon of scalping is nothing new in the gaming world. From consoles to graphics cards to event tickets, resellers have long taken advantage of high demand to sell products at marked-up prices. Unfortunately, the practice, while legal, has left many consumers feeling powerless.
Companies and consumers alike continue to struggle against this problem. Though some efforts have been made to combat scalping, such as limiting purchases per customer or requiring identity verification, these measures haven’t been widely adopted. For instance, when Valve released the Steam Deck, it implemented stricter pre-order processes to reduce scalper interference. It’s a model that Sony might consider following for future limited-edition releases.
A Missed Opportunity to Protect Fans
The 30th Anniversary Edition of the PS5 Pro should have been a celebration for PlayStation’s most loyal fans, marking a milestone in gaming history. Instead, it’s turned into a feeding frenzy for scalpers, leaving those who genuinely wanted to commemorate the occasion struggling to afford one. With solutions already out there, it’s clear that more can be done to ensure that future releases reach the hands of those who value them for more than just profit.
For now, though, it looks like collectors will have to continue fighting the uphill battle against scalpers, hoping that the next milestone release won’t come with the same frustrations. As the dust settles, one thing is certain: if companies don’t take stronger action, these so-called “celebrations” will continue to be overshadowed by price hikes and scarcity, turning fans’ excitement into disappointment.