Sony has revealed a midnight black version of the PlayStation 5, launching on the same day as Grand Theft Auto 6. Featuring the same sleek and minimalistic design, the midnight black version of the PlayStation will be launching exclusively in Japan in the coming month.
Is the PlayStation 5 getting a hardware upgrade?
In short, no. The new PlayStation 5 will launch with similar hardware to its existing version, with only an aesthetic change. The new colour is not only available on the console but also on a Midnight Black DualSense controller and comes with Astro’s Playroom pre-installed.
The performance remains identical, making the new launch redundant for the owners of the PS5 unless they are looking for a cosmetic change. It will feature an 825 GB SSD, along with the usual 3D audio, haptic feedback, and adaptive triggers.
However, the console is limited to a digital version only, but for those who prefer physical discs, Sony is also offering a matching Midnight Black disc drive for ¥11,980.
Midnight Black PS5 Price and Release Date
As the title suggests, the Midnight Black version of PlayStation 5 will launch on 18th November, along with GTA 6. Priced at ¥55,000, pre-orders will go live on 20th October through exclusive retailers and online aggregators.
At the time of writing, Sony has only announced the new colour for the Japanese market. Without confirmation of a global release, it’s hard to assume the black PS5 will come to other regions. For those looking to import the console from Japan, Sony has placed regional restrictions, including support for Japanese as its system language and a requirement for a Japan-registered PlayStation account.
Regardless of Sony’s global launch plans, owners of the console can use third-party custom plates to achieve the same look at a fraction of the cost.
On the surface, it seems Sony is releasing this as a special version to commemorate the release of GTA 6. However, this might very well be a simple cash grab given the game is launching exclusively for consoles, and many would get one just to play the game. It goes without saying that existing console owners can customise their consoles with skins, while first-time buyers should make sure to choose one that suits their needs over aesthetics to get the most value out of their money.
