The PlayStation 5 won't launch until later this year, and Sony hasn't even revealed what the next-gen console looks like yet, but fans can still get ahead of PS5 pre-orders to be ready for its release. Several web stores have launched PlayStation 5 pre-order alert pages, through which fans can make sure they're the first to know when pre-orders go live.
While fans haven't seen the PlayStation 5 itself, Sony recently revealed the system's new controller. The PS5 DualSense controller looks quite different from previous PlayStation controllers, with a two-tone design and an almost Xbox controller-like, rounded profile. Sony hasn't publicly shown off gameplay from the new system, either, but the controller tells fans a bit about what innovations PS5 games could have, since it includes both haptic feedback rumble tech and variable-tension "adaptive triggers."
It's not clear when Sony will drop the full PS5 reveal, but when it does, it will likely launch pre-orders soon after. A recent report suggests the PS5 will be hard to find at launch, with Sony only manufacturing about 5 or 6 million units before March 2021. The console will also reportedly be expensive, retailing for between $499 and $549 USD. This means fans will want to make sure they secure a pre-order, especially to avoid scalpers hiking the price up even further.
How To Be Notified When PS5 Pre-Orders Are Available
Sony itself has not officially confirmed a PS5 price or made pre-orders available yet, but several retailers have launched PS5 pre-order notification sign-ups. Best Buy, GameStop, and Target all allow users to opt into alert emails, which will let theoretically them know when the PS5 is able to be purchased. PlayStation fans may want to sign up for all three alerts to be sure they receive the first notifications, as pre-orders will likely sell out quickly. Target's sign-up form, however, appears to just be a sign-up for its regular weekly ad rather than a PS5-specific email.
In a controversial move, one retailer already made PS5 pre-orders available earlier this year. A small game store called Play N Trade Vancouver Island offered PS5 pre-orders for cheaper than expected - $559.99 CAD (roughly $398 USD) - noting that, "If the price changes it will be adjusted at final sale." Play N Trade has since closed its first wave of pre-orders, but other small game stores may end up taking similar pre-order reservations.
It's impossible to say exactly when official PlayStation 5 pre-orders will go live, but Sony will likely aim for its full PS5 reveal sometime in the summer. Although Sony was already going to skip the now-canceled E3 conference, it was likely planning for a reveal sometime before, after, or concurrent to the show, where Microsoft would presumably have had its full Series X showcase. If the PS5 and Series X are delayed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, however, things could play out differently.
The PlayStation 5 will launch sometime in the 2020 holiday season.