Few consoles have dominated the console market like the PlayStation 5 since its 2020 launch, with stores facing shortages even a few years after the initial release. PlayStation 5 is complemented with a stellar lineup of exclusives like God of War: Ragnarok and Spider-Man 2. The console has set a new standard for console gaming, but with recent price hikes, the loyalty of the fans is being put to the test.
The cost of owning a PS5 has once again gone up, and questions about value, longevity, and overall worth are getting louder. Does the PS5’s performance, game library, and ecosystem still outweigh the higher price tag? Or has Sony’s decision to raise prices at this stage made the console less appealing?
Still Cheaper Than A PC
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There’s simply no denying that the recent PS5 price hike feels frustrating and poorly timed. The console is at a late stage in its lifecycle, and increasing the price at this point is bad for business. However, building a capable 4K gaming PC now is significantly more costly than it was a few years ago. High-speed DDR5 RAM and fast NVMe SSDs remain expensive components, increasing the cost of overall builds. With the current market, Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine will also likely cost more than a PS5 Pro.
A new mid to high-end PC capable of consistent 4K gaming easily leaves a dent in your wallet of at least $1500, and this is excluding the addons such as monitors and keyboards. Keeping this in mind, even after the price increase, a PS5 delivers 4K gaming, ray tracing, and quick load times for considerably less money compared to a new PC.
The PS5 gives you brand new, optimised hardware that’s ready to play out of the box without any compatibility headaches, unlike PC building, where many people are forced to buy used components to stay on a budget these days. The PS5 also allows plug-and-play simplicity, reliable online services, and years of guaranteed support.
An Excellent Library Of Games
While the PS5 is six years into its lifespan, it boasts one of the strongest and most diverse game libraries of recent times. Sony’s lineup remains a major strength, allowing players to enjoy critically acclaimed titles such as God of War Ragnarok, Spider-Man 2, and The Last of Us Part I. These games have become the face of the console, and they continue to showcase the PS5’s power year after year.
Yes, the PS5 has a deep bench of first-party exclusives, but the console is home to several blockbuster multi-platform games that run quite well on PS5. Games include Elden Ring, the MLB The Show series, and the upcoming Crimson Desert, all of which deliver impressive performance on the PS5. The future is promising with several major first-party titles on the horizon. Upcoming exclusives like Marvel’s Wolverine suggest Sony is still committed to delivering high-quality single-player experiences.
Don’t Buy The PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro now has a steep price tag of $900, which is a massive jump from the base PS5. This makes it one of the most expensive current-generation consoles, putting it out of reach for most players. Some games do look noticeably better on the PS5 Pro because of its enhanced resolution and frame rates, but the upgrades are often subtle. Quite a few titles still suffer from shimmering and aliasing issues, even with Sony’s PSSR upscaling tech.
The standard PS5 continues to run games really well in most cases. It offers excellent 4K performance, strong visuals, and fast load times. The base model still provides a good experience for a majority of players without the premium price. Ultimately, we’d recommend that you stick to the base PS5, unless you’re a graphics enthusiast with money to spare and must have the best possible image quality.
Published: Mar 30, 2026 05:00 pm