Over two months after launch, which included the holiday season too, Sony still struggles to meet demand for its newest console, the PlayStation 5. Global shortages have made scalping a major issue. So how are retailers fairing with restocks?
While it may be tough finding the PlayStation 5 at retail, we'd hold off on biting the bullet and grabbing one from eBay at markup - not only does doing so affirm scalpers, there are ways to grab one of these consoles at realistic prices.
Whether you're in the USA or somewhere abroad, the first thing to try should be PlayStation Direct. Essentially, this cuts out the middle man allowing you to purchase from Sony directly. While PS Direct is where new stock appears first, there is always a long queue - but once you're in, your console is guaranteed.
US customers have a better selection of retailers to rely on than most living in other countries. Target has been the most reliable source of retail PlayStation 5 consoles, with the latest restock confirmed to have taken place on January 20th. If you can get to a Target store in a less frequented location, you'll have better chances of finding a system.
Walmart has gotten frequent restocks since launch in November, but is also the first place where the PS5 gets sold out. It's worth keeping an eye on their product listing pages for the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition lest you miss out on a restock - the retailer hasn't announced when they expect a new shipment.