Sony today announced a new version of its disc-less PlayStation 5 console. The console is getting a Midnight Black variant but it’s sadly only been announced for the Japanese market.
As revealed on the Japanese PlayStation Blog, the Midnight Black PS5 Digital Edition launches on 19th November (yep, that’s GTA 6’s release date) for ¥55,000 (~$380 / £263).
If that price sounds cheap, it’s because the new console is based on the region-locked PS5 Sony launched in Japan last November. The Digital Edition console’s language cannot be changed from Japanese, and it only works with PSN accounts based in Japan, preventing it from being exported outside the country – hence the cheaper price.
Sony is also releasing a Midnight Black blu-ray disc drive to go along with the new console, for players who want to retain access to their physical media – for however long that’s going to be worth it. Maybe the introduction of this new model will relieve the pressure Sony is facing with its PS5 Pro – a console so in-demand in Japan that the company has had to implement a lottery system in order to adequately effectively distribute supplies.
While the rest of the world does not have a Midnight Black PS5, you can replicate the look by buying the Midnight Black Console Covers, which cost $54 / £45. The PS5’s covers can be easily removed and replaced. Seeing as the middle of the PS5 is already black, purchasing and installing these covers achieves the same effect, if you’re so inclined. If you want to complete the collection, a Midnight Black DualSense controller is available for sale worldwide.
The only missing piece is the blu-ray disc drive, which is only available in the standard white colour. It’s possible Sony is going to bring the Midnight Black version to the rest of the world after it launches in Japan.
