The release of the limited-edition PlayStation 5 30th Anniversary Collection, a nostalgic tribute to the console’s history, has been met with disappointment and frustration for many fans. The collection, which includes a sleek PS5 Pro bundle, a retro-inspired PS1-style PS5 slim, and a special DualSense controller, was highly anticipated by gamers eager to celebrate three decades of PlayStation. However, when pre-orders opened on Thursday, the excitement quickly turned to despair as online queues spiraled out of control and website glitches left many unable to secure their desired items.
The pre-order chaos began in Australia and the UK, where the collection went live at 10:00 a.m. local time. Within minutes, all units were reportedly sold out, prompting a surge of listings on eBay at five to ten times the suggested retail price. This trend continued in the U.S., where fans found themselves stuck in virtual queues with wait times exceeding an hour. Even after gaining access to the PlayStation Direct store, many users discovered that most items were already unavailable.
The limited production run of just 12,300 units for the PS5 Pro bundle, coupled with the near-instant sell-out of other items, has led to speculation about Sony’s production strategy and its ability to meet demand for its most sought-after products. This isn’t the first time Sony has faced criticism for underproduction, and some believe the company may be intentionally limiting supply to create a sense of exclusivity and drive demand.
While Sony hasn’t commented on the pre-order chaos, some speculate that the company may be testing initial demand for its anniversary collection, potentially planning to release more stock in time for the holiday season. However, the current situation has undoubtedly left many fans frustrated and disappointed, while scalpers are cashing in on the limited supply, listing the PS5 bundles for as much as $5,697.
The pre-order debacle for the PlayStation 5 30th Anniversary Collection serves as a reminder of the growing issue of scalping and the challenges that companies face in balancing supply and demand for highly coveted products. It remains to be seen whether Sony will address the issues raised by this launch and ensure that future limited-edition releases are more accessible to fans.
