Japan to Get Exclusive Midnight Black PlayStation 5 Next Month, but Hope Remains for the Rest of the World

Sony today unveiled a new disc-less version of its PlayStation 5 console. The console is getting a Midnight Black variant, but unfortunately it has only been announced for the Japanese market. Read more

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Sony today announced a new version of its discless PlayStation 5 console. The console is getting a Midnight Black variant, but unfortunately it's only announced for the Japanese market.

As revealed on PlayStation Japan Blog , the Midnight Black PS5 Digital Edition will launch on November 19 (yes, that's GTA 6's release date) for ¥55,000 ($380 / £263).

If that seems cheap, that's because the new console is based on Sony's unlocked PS5, which launched in Japan last November. The digital version's console language cannot be changed from Japanese and only works with Japan-based PSN accounts, preventing it from being exported overseas - hence the cheaper price.

Sony is also releasing a Midnight Black Blu-ray Disc drive to go along with the new console for gamers who want access to their physical media. Perhaps the introduction of this new model will ease the pressure Sony is facing with its PS5 Pro - a console that is in such high demand in Japan that the company has been forced to implement a lottery system in order to distribute resources efficiently and effectively.

While the rest of the world doesn't have a Midnight Black PS5, you can replicate the look by purchasing the Midnight Black console covers, which cost $54 / £45. PS5 covers can be easily removed and replaced. Since the middle of the PS5 is already black, buying and installing these covers will achieve the same result. 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 standard white. It's possible that Sony plans to bring the Midnight Black version to the rest of the world after its Japan launch.