The next generation of consoles is coming in soon. The PlayStation 5's launch is just a week away, and those who have pre-ordered consoles or are looking to pick one up at launch are eagerly awaiting updates. As such, depending on which retailer the would-be PS5 owner has one to, it's important to know what's happening on launch day, especially those who don't want to wait to upgrade to the PS5.
Unlike previous launches of new consoles, there will be no waiting in line and camping outside of retailers in hopes of snagging one. With the coronavirus still a concern, Sony has released a statement making it clear that no PS5 consoles were to be sold on launch day in-stores, making all of the retails sell their stock online-only.
Best Buy's PS5 Launch and Black Friday
On launch day, Best Buy will only have Pick Up Orders for those who pre-ordered consoles, and those will be by appointment only. If additional units are present, gamers can try to get one, but they'll have to do it online instead of hanging around the store. For those who ordered from Best Buy for delivery, they should check their Best Buy account for approximate shipping date or arrival date.
Best Buy also plans to have some additional units on November 27th. Best Buy promised last week that more PS5s would be available for Black Friday, but not in store. Best Buy recently released a statement that it wasn't selling PS5s in store until 2021, leaving all those extra units available through the company's website and nowhere else. Thus far, it also doesn't appear that Best Buy will have any sales on the PS5 for Black Friday, and will be selling the consoles, games, and accessories at full price.
Best Buy does not have any new PS5 pre-orders available at this time, and will most likely not have anymore available until Black Friday.
Target's PS5 Launch Day
Target announced that customers with pre-orders can expect to pick up their PS5s on release day, but will be available through pick up orders or drive-by orders only. Similar to Best Buy's appointment-only approach, Target will be staggering pickup times to ensure that crowds are kept to a minimum.
Target is expected to have some PS5 games and accessories on the shelves during launch day. Also, beginning Sunday the 8th of November, some PS5 titles will also be included in Target's Buy One Get One event to start off the Holiday shopping season.
Wal-Mart's PS5 Launch Day
Wal-Mart is the only retailer with some formally announced plans to have more PS5s on launch day, while customers that have pre-ordered the console can expect shipping or in-store pick up information. However, Wal-Mart will have some online availability for several types of PS5 bundles on November 12th, and they will be released in waves. It is expected that Wal-Mart will release a few of each kind of PS5 for each wave, so people will be able to pick up either the digital or full PS5.
So a lucky few who are glued to their computers on November 12th will get to pre-order a PS5 at 12 PM, 3 PM, 6 PM, or 9 PM ET. It hasn't been listed if these will be available for in-store pick up or if these will be delivery only, but it seems likely to be the latter.
Amazon's Shipping on Launch Day
Although it has been slowly updating its massive backlog of pre-orders, assigning shipping and arrival dates for each of the consoles, Amazon projects launch day shipping delays on the PS5. However, those who pre-ordered through the online-only giant can expect the dates to be updated on the order page, though most customers have reported not receiving an email confirmation. Nonetheless, the best thing consumes can do is just keep an eye up for any order updates as November 12 draws near.
Although the online-only retailer hasn't released any hint of when it will restock, gamers can most likely expect that the retailer will have more units before Black Friday to prepare for the big holiday shopping season.
PlayStation Direct Orders
For those who were lucky enough to get invited to pre-order a PlayStation 5 through the PS Direct website, they can expect their PlayStation 5 to be delivered on Launch Day. On its website, PlayStation Direct states that "Generally, pre-orders are delivered on the listed Release Date. Delivery to Alaska or Hawaii, military or diplomatic bases and certain zip codes may take longer." Although most customers can expect delays if they are not present to sign for their PS5 or there is inclement weather in their area. PlayStation Direct is finished with orders and has not released any plans to sell more PS5s directly.
GameStop's PS5 Release Schedule
GameStop is the only retailer with special bundles. GameStop was offering not only the basic digital and disc PS5s, but also an Ultimate Bundle as well as an Advanced Bundle. The Ultimate PS5 Digital bundle includes the discless console, a DualSense Charging Station, a Pulse 3D Headset, a year of PlayStation Plus, and a $100 PlayStation Store gift card, while the advanced PS5 Bundle: $749 at GameStop - Disc PS5 console, a second DualSense controller, a year of PlayStation Plus, and copies of Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Destruction All-Stars.
GameStop is also one of the only retailers that have already had a second round of PS5 pre-orders. The GameStop shipping information is a little worrying for those who pre-ordered for delivery; its website promises to ship units "by 11/30/2020," which means some gamers might not get their consoles until almost three weeks after release. Whether that's the case or not remains to be seen.
While in-store pickup is available for pre-ordered PS5s, GameStop doesn't appear to have staggered pickup times. Since most GameStops have a strict number of customers allowed in the store at a time due to COVID, even those with pre-orders may find themselves waiting in line outside the store anyway. There are no public plans at GameStop to have any additional in-store units or online sales at this time.
PS5 Games Available Launch Day
The PlayStation 5 that gamers pre-ordered shouldn't come alone; there will be several launch titles and games available on day one.
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla
- Astro's Playroom
- Borderlands 3
- Bugsnax
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
- Demon's Souls
- Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition
- DIRT 5
- Fortnite
- Godfall
- Maneater
- Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Marvel's Spider-Man: Remastered
- Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
- NBA 2K21
- No Man's Sky: The Next Generation
- Observer: System Redux
- Overcooked: All You Can Eat
- The Pathless
- Planet Coaster: Console Edition
- Poker Club
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure
- Watch Dogs: Legion
- WRC 9
All PS5 Accessories
The PlayStation 5 only comes with one wireless controller, so gamers may also want to pick up some additional accessories. Target, Amazon, and Best Buy currently have some accessories still for sale, so check those out if more accessories are still needed.
- PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller - Although some retailers have had PS5 controllers since October, they should also be available day one: $70
- PS5 HD Camera: $60
- PS5 Media Remote: $30
- DualSense Charging Station: $30
- Pulse 3D Wireless Headset: $100PlayStation 5 Availability
While most people who were looking to buy a PS5 were left without a pre-order after the initial rush, they can hopefully look forward to more in the near future, as Sony seems to be having some unexpected problems filling orders. Between the online bots eating up all the pre-orders before real people can grab one and the shortage of units available at any store, many are looking for more information on the promised restock. Hopefully, Sony will be updating its fans in the near future.
The PlayStation 5 will release on November 12th.