Arguably the biggest criticism of the PS5 Pro is its price. The $699.99 retail price is a pretty hard ask for PlayStation players. However, PlayStation designer Toshi Aoki reaffirms that the console upgrade is an “exceptional value” for its “most engaged” player base.
PlayStation designer justifies PS5 Pro’s high price tag
In a recent IGN interview, Aoki discussed the high retail price of the PS5 Pro. Aside from the apparent technological upgrades the “big three” tentpoles enhance, the upgrade to its SSD, and Wi-Fi 7 are all attributed to the cost. With everything considered, it seems Aoki believes this is the console for its most hardcore audience.
“Well, the technologies that I just mentioned that we are putting in to deliver new experiences for game players, and also not just the technological differences, but the SSD, the Wi-Fi 7, and the new technologies that surround the gameplay as well,” says Aoki. “So it’s more of a full package that will give that exceptional value to the players… the most engaged players that we’re targeting.”
Another big criticism of the enhanced console is the lack of a disc drive. According to Aoki, its about “giving players choices,” as players can purchase the accessory separately.
“Well, with the PS5 Pro, we are offering all these new tech innovations, and we added the two terabyte SSD, as well as the Wi-Fi 7. We believe as a full package that it offers for the most players,” says Aoki. “For the disc drive, it is an option for players. Not all players have discs, even though most players may…but we have the option for being able to add that for those players. So I think it’s more of the balance of the value proposition that we’re giving.”
PS5 disc drives cost $79.99. Additionally, PS5 Pros do not come with a vertical stand, so anyone wanting to position their new console upright will have to spend an additional $29.99. All together, with the console, stand, and disc drive, it costs $809.97 before tax, and whatever other fees that may be attached. Anyone grabbing all of this would have to be one of the “most engaged” PS5 players to really justify it.
