Do you remember where you were when you got your last console? I still vividly remember picking up my PlayStation 4 at the end of 2013. It was the freshest of mornings, I was standing in a line with other delightful nerds that didn’t require us to be separated by a distance of one Shawn Michaels and this was the day. This was the first time in my life that I’d managed to scratch together enough cash to own a new console on launch day.
I’d starved myself and pinched many a penny throughout the year, but here I was: A debit card filled with enough cash for a new console and a fresh game, my order had been reserved at CNA and I was ready to make some personal history. For around R7000 if my memory of that day is still right, I got fancy new technology and a copy of the delightful Killzone: Shadow Fall, leading to one glorious weekend of next-gen gaming.
It was a ton of cash at the time to spend, but I like to think that I got my money back and then some with the PlayStation 4. A couple of years later, and it’s time to say goodbye to the beautiful bladed box that I’ve reviewed literally hundreds of games on. I’ve got a savings account that I’ve been putting cash into for launch day. Here’s the thing: I’ve got no idea how much I’m supposed to squirrel away.
The obvious answer is a lot. If history is anything to go by, day one adoption of the Xbox Series X or the PlayStation 5 ain’t going to be cheap. On launch, the current generation of consoles would set you back the prettiest of pennies: A kitted out Xbox One with the Kinect peripheral that totally stood the test of time, was priced at R7999 ($399 in the US of A), while the PS4 retailed at R6299 at retail.
If you had to highball the US price for the PS5 and Xbox Series X, it wouldn’t be unheard of to see those consoles go for the $499 price, even in a world where such items have become the most luxurious of goods to acquire. If you did a straight dollar conversion, that’d work out to roughly R8300 give or take, a sum that will increase when the consoles arrive locally.
I’m placing a bet right now that the PS5 and Xbox Series X will retail above the R10, 000 mark, maybe so far as R12, 000 if I’ being optimistic. Once all the relevant taxes and shipping charges have been applied, console gaming becomes even more expensive with each new generation. How much do you reckon these machines will go for? How much are you willing to pay, and what do you think a fair price is for this new hardware?
Sound off below. Or hug me when I realise that I’ve run out of organs to sell on the black market to fund my gaming kicks.
Last Updated: July 17, 2020
schitsophrenic-toothbrush
July 17, 2020 at 11:20
I would like to purchase PS5, initially I was thinking that it would cost around £550, so I started throwing a couple of pondjies in a kitty so I would have enough by November. With all the news and articles I have read, I am starting to think that the PS5 will cost around £450 while the digital edition £375-400. This is purely my own opinion and If I am right I will have a couple of bones to through at accessories/games.
I think with export costs and the volatility of the ZAR, the peeps in SA are likely to pay anything between R12000 -R15000. Several of my friends have already saved up 10k expecting this
Iskape
July 17, 2020 at 10:40
I agree. Around 10 grand!
MechMachine
July 17, 2020 at 10:45
I think it’s somewhere between 10 and 15.
Guz
July 17, 2020 at 10:53
I think lock down has eaten thru a lot of peoples savings so purchase on launch day might be negatively impacted
Gavin Mannion
July 17, 2020 at 10:58
This is my feeling as well, if they want a big launch they are going to have to slash the price. I can’t justify £500 for a gaming console this year and I don’t think I’m alone here.
I do think they are going to announce a price of over $500 but I think it’ll be cut really soon after launch when they realise we are all broke af
MechMachine
July 17, 2020 at 10:53
I can’t afford one for this very reason.
setzor
July 20, 2020 at 18:59
Agree totally… gaming consoles will be an absolute luxury in the coming months/year
Krabby Paddy
July 17, 2020 at 11:05
R12-R13k here. $550 in US. Price to probably drop to around $450 towards end of 2021. Rand price will always depend on our wonderfully stable exchange rate.
Also looking at how games will release it doesn’t really make sense to get a new console till a year after release, unless you have cash to burn.
Skyblue
July 17, 2020 at 11:44
I agree. At least with MS embracing backward compatibility, Sony have now been forced to do the same moving forward. MS got a lot right right during this last console cycle considering the backlash to their initial pre Xbone launch but have been stellar ever since.
You get to at least sell your PS4 now without losing your games.
Skyblue
July 17, 2020 at 11:45
I agree. At least with MS embracing backward compatibility, Sony have now been forced to do the same moving forward. MS got a lot right right during this last console cycle considering the backlash to their initial pre Xbone launch but have been stellar ever since.
You get to at least sell your PS4 now without losing your games.
Hammersteyn
July 17, 2020 at 12:29
More than most can afford.
Jac7
July 17, 2020 at 12:52
Well probably expensive enough for people to weigh in whether they want to buy one at launch or not, given the economic climate.
Gareth Lagesse (eXCheez)
July 17, 2020 at 15:13
I’m guessing a special launch price here of R 9 900, then shooting up to around R 12 500.
Pieter Kruger
July 19, 2020 at 17:05
PS5 should be $50 – $100 cheaper than XSX.