Physical PS5 games cost up to €50 less but PlayStation Store monopoly may limit deals

Consumer advocates worry that as physical games decline, discounts will become rare. Sony’s decision to produce fewer PS5 discs in 2028 could lead to less competition and higher prices. A new study illustrates how PlayStation Store deals pale in comparison to sales at other retailers.

The Dutch Tweakers site used its Pricewatch resource to compare sales on physical games to PS Store prices. It focused on 16 first- and third-party PS5 titles nominated for awards available in disc and digital form.

Deal hunting for PlayStation games

Graphs of price fluctuations reveal some consistent trends. In general, Sony’s marketplace posts fewer discounts that last for shorter periods. Even with older digital games, buyers are often asked to pay the full amount years after release. By contrast, at stores that still sell discs in cases, prices fall as demand wanes.

Aging SIE-published titles like God of War Ragnarök are listed on the PS Store for close to launch prices. For U.S shoppers, it’s once again at least 50% off at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Sony has advertised similar deals on console exclusives in the past, but only briefly.

Are game stores doomed?

It’s not entirely clear how PlayStation’s transition to digital will affect competing storefronts. Its blog post suggests that they will be able to sell redemption codes for releases. Since 2019, vouchers haven’t been allowed, prompting allegations that the PS Store represents a monopoly.

Code-in-box SKUs like GTA 6 may become more common. Unfortunately, they are proving unpopular at retailers including GameStop. Lacking traditional physical games, these stores could elect to stop selling the titles entirely. As a result, the PlayStation Store would have less incentive to offer appealing prices.

Without PS5 discs, buyers lose the ability to resell their purchases, impacting the used market. Amid protests, consumer watchdogs also aren’t convinced by the code-in-box solution. A Dutch group has filed a new lawsuit against Sony, claiming that console owners already spend, on average, 47% more on digital games.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.