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No sign of PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary pre-orders in the UK – yet
Perhaps likely to be the most in-demand item of the day, we are yet to see any PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary pre-orders start.
It’s worth noting that last time out, pre-orders were opened at 10am at PlayStation Direct with a queue accepting folks in from about 8am so that’s worth bearing in mind, well, right now for that retailer. Other retailers are harder to predict so we’ll keep refreshing and let you know exactly when they pull the trigger.
Argos is live in the UK!
Retailer Argos has got its PS5 Pro pre-order page up and running and is now taking orders. It’s just the console on its own, and there are no options to build a bundle which Argos sometimes offers, but we’ll take it to get the UK ball rolling.
Remember your mileage varies a little with Argos due to it working to your specific postcode but having checked a fair few postcodes manually just now, pre-order stock looks solid and plentiful – place yours there now!
It looks quiet in the UK but Target are now taking PS5 Pro pre-orders!
Good morning and hello again! (And thanks to Jake for holding the fort!)
After a quick check, I can see that Target is now taking PS5 Pro pre-orders! That’s good news for US folks as the wheels look to begin turning.
In the UK, it looks quiet so far this morning but we’re continually checking all the retailers in the game to check for a start time. We surely can’t be far off the action starting…
Well, it’s officially October 10, 2024, on the East Coast of the United States – technically, shortly after midnight – and we haven’t spotted any of the main retailers open up preorders for the PS5 Pro Console or the PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Console. That includes Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and GameStop, as well as PlayStation Direct replenished stock.
We’ll likely see preorders at these retailers open up preorders for both consoles and potentially other accessories at 10am ET/7am PT later today, October 10, 2024. If we spot preorders earlier, we’ll, of course, update this live blog and include all of the retailer preorder links for the US and the UK below.
I’m signing off for a bit now, but our live coverage will resume in a few hours when Rob Dwiar, TechRadar Gaming’s Managing Editor, kicks things off again.
PS5 Pro and PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary in the US
PS5 Pro and PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary in the UK
Will there be more stock of the 30th Anniversary DualSense?
The 30th Anniversary DualSense controller is one of our favorites from the 30th Anniversary Collection, and it proved incredibly popular with fans and gamers when pre-orders first opened last month.
It’s also the only one of the Anniversary Collection we’ve seen come back into stock at retailers like Amazon and Walmart in the US and Argos and Amazon in the UK since stock first went live (and then sold out). As a result, we’d tentatively guess that this is the one to look out for among the other members of the Collection that might get restocks in this second wave.
Top tip: sign into your accounts and check payment details
As we’ve mentioned in some of our looks at retailer pages, one of our biggest tips during any major pre-order event is to make sure that your accounts with each retailer are not only signed in but have up-to-date payment information.
It’s likely the most essential tip, as when stock is scarce, the time it takes to sign in or update an old card at the checkout can mean the difference between a successful pre-order and a crushing defeat.
If you don’t have an account at a certain retailer, now is a good time to create one and add your details. In the US, we recommend having Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and GameStop ready to go on top of Amazon.
It could also be a good idea to ensure that everything is in order at Newegg and Antonline, though we suspect that these more specialist retailers may experience less demand.
In the UK, you can get yourself fully prepared by setting up an account with EE, Amazon, Very, Currys, Argos, and Game.
Retailers to not forget about
Of course, there are a few other players in the game when it comes to US retailers of PlayStation hardware besides Walmart, BestBuy, Target, and GameStop.
PlayStation Direct remains a good place to check for pre-orders for consoles and accessories from now on – though you will need to sign into your PlayStation account to make a purchase.
Elsewhere, it’s worth keeping an eye on Newegg and Antonline. The former is sometimes good for console gaming pre-orders among its PC-focused hardware and component spread. The latter is known for going big on, well, big bundles, which could prove very handy if you’re looking to pick up some other accessories at the same time as your new PS5 Pro or PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Edition console.
What about GameStop?
If GameStop is your gaming retailer of choice, it, too, looks to be getting ready for pre-orders. However, while GameStop has a PS5 Pro pre-order listing page up, it doesn’t yet have one for the PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary.
There is no information about needing to be a Pro member, which is good but will invite more competition. It’s also not kept behind the GameStop Pro gate. It just looks like a standard GameStop purchase. Will the PS5 Slim be the same if GameStop gets stock? Who knows.
It would be a great bonus, though, if the GameStop Pro offer of ‘Save $25 When You Spend $250 In-Store Or Online & Pick Up In-Store’ applied when pre-ordering a PS5 Pro (if you can order it in-store, of course), as that would help soften the price tag a bit. Unlike other retailers, GameStop doesn’t specify an exact time and lists the console as coming soon.
Are you targeting Target?
I know, but I couldn’t resist the target-and-target pun and heading. Either way, just like BestBuy and Walmart, Target has listing pages for both consoles up and ready for the eventual preorder drop.
Like BestBuy, no purchasing parameters are required for the PS5 Pro or the PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Edition.
Target’s PS5 Pro page and PS5 Slim Anniversary Edition page are basically identical and very stripped-back affairs. There’s no information on being signed in (though we would absolutely make sure you are with an address and card saved), no information on being a Circle member, and the pages are ready to go with the usually-red ‘Add to cart’ button currently grayed out. It’s certainly simple and we appreciate no paid membership being required.
Betting on Best Buy?
Best Buy is also geared up and ready for action, with listing pages for both big pre-orders starting on October 10.
Its PS5 Slim Anniversary Limited Edition page and PS5 Pro pre-order listing page have distinctly similar information to Walmart’s. The pages quickly pop up a reminder to make sure you’re signed in to purchase either of the consoles.
Furthermore, the on-page warning about them being ‘High Demand Products’ means they know the competition will be fierce, too. As an extension of that, there isn’t any required ‘My Best Buy Plus or Total sign-in or membership required – it can all be done with a regular account, which is pretty nice.
While no time is specified, we’d have to imagine all the retailers might be in sync, so we’re expecting BestBuy to go live with preorders at 10am ET.
What about Walmart?
Walmart is primed and ready to get in on the action as listing pages for the PS5 Pro and the PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Digital Edition console are live.
The PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary listing page has all the usual details, but gives prospective shoppers two main ways to prepare. The first is that pre-orders open at 7am PT / 10am ET; straight forward. The second is a little more particular and important, as it states that “Walmart+ paid members can preorder the item online at 10am ET on 10/10.”
This means you’ll need to be a fully paid-up member of Walmart+, which costs $98 for one year. The word ‘paid’ indicates that a free trial will not work to gain access to the PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary pre-orders. Paying the fee may be worth it to get your bit of PlayStation memorabilia, but you’ll also get access to a host of other benefits.
The regular PS5 Pro listing page at Walmart doesn’t mention having to be a Walmart+ member but does reiterate the same starting time of 7am PT / 10am ET. So, if you’re keen to get a PS5 Pro, and not the 30th Anniversary edition, you don’t necessarily need to be signed up for Walmart+.
Hello there, Jake Krol, TechRadar’s Managing Editor for News, taking over the live update as we track the second wave of PS5 Pro consoles and the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection preorders. As a reminder those are expected to start on October 10, 2024, but we’re getting in position and keeping an eye on all the expected retailers.
Back in the US, a PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary Amazon listing page has appeared…
Back in the US, let’s start taking a look at where we sit with retailer listing pages, what to expect, and how to best prepare for each. First, we have spotted that an Amazon US page has finally appeared…
This is actually one of those ‘store’ pages rather than a product listing page itself – that goes to a “Sorry, we couldn’t find that page” screen – but it’s definitely encouraging nonetheless, and at least confirms that Amazon is planning to have stock of the PS5 Slim Anniversary console.
The page has images of all you can expect to get inside the bundle, as well as the headline features and marketing speak for the PS5 Slim too – nothing we don’t know of course, but a picture is forming here.
Amazon did have a regular PS5 Pro pre-order page up until recently, which did quote a start time of 7am PT/ 10am ET so our guess is that this is the time that Amazon would go live with the 30th Anniversary listing too.
Midnight in the UK – October 10 and pre-order day is here
It’s turned midnight in the UK now, so we are officially on October 10 and the day of more PS5 Pro pre-orders and hopefully a robust second wave of 30th Anniversary PS5 Slim pre-orders! Huzzah!
Naturally, we’re hoping for much more, and are keeping our fingers crossed for other members of the 30th Anniversary Collection to get second winds, and the DualSense controller in particular. Even more so since that has been the accessory that has cropped up a few times since pre-orders began, and it’s arguably the best standalone way to get a piece of that 30th Anniversary memorabilia in one small(er) purchase.
Anyway, there’s nothing to actually report on in the way of action as of right now – there have bee no huge waves of UK stock dropping yet – so it’s all got off with a whimper rather than a bang so far…
UK retailers to keep an eye on at midnight
We’re nearly there! If you’re looking for some last second tips and links then it’s the usual suspects to watch out for as the clock turns midnight in the UK.
Amazon has been quiet so far but can always flick a switch in an instant; Very, Argos, and Currys too could be ones to look out for as we pass midnight; and Game certainly has previous form with dropping stock live at midnight (or soon after) on the day something releases.
The EE Store has a listing page up and is the first proper one I’ve seen in the UK the entire time thus far, so that’s definitely worth a look too as it might be poised and ready to pull the trigger.
Wherever you look though, remember to sign in, have your payment details updated, and be ready to act quick!
An hour from midnight in the UK – will stock go live?
We’re only an hour away from the clock turning midnight and the day turning to October 10 in the UK.
Could we see some retailers go at the stroke of midnight? Maybe! I’m almost certain we saw midnight action with the PS5, either on pre-order day or launch day so it’s certainly possible. With retailers calling the shots on their own listings now, it’ll pay to be as reactive as possible, just in case.
If you’re unlucky, avoid resellers
Both before and after any potential restocks, there’s reason to be cautious of going the reseller route on something like a PS5 Pro or any of the 30th Anniversary Collection. We are always huge advocates of avoiding resellers and scalpers; here’s a little bit of advice from Hardware Writer Dashiell Wood about why you should avoid them:
“If you miss out on a PS5 Pro pre-order or 30th Anniversary PS5 Slim at the usual retailers, it might be tempting to pick one up via a sketchy reseller on websites like eBay. My suggestion would be to avoid doing this at all costs though, as there is just too much that can go wrong.
Firstly, you’re very unlikely to find a reseller selling the console at its retail price which means that you’re paying over the odds for the same product as everyone else. Doing this also incentivizes resellers to continue buying up stock using unscrupulous methods like bots, making the pre-order situation worse for everyone going forward.
There’s also no guarantee that your chosen reseller will honor their word. You don’t even know if they actually have a pre-order to hand or whether you’re going to be left short-changed come release day.
You miss out on the customer service provided by most big stores, too. If you buy a PS5 Pro or PS5 Slim Anniversary Edition from a reseller and it starts to malfunction down the line, you’re most likely going to end up on your own. Platforms like eBay also routinely take action against these resellers, dishing out bans, so you might be left with no way to contact them if that happens.”
What’s in the 30th Anniversary PS5 Slim Bundle?
If you’re hoping to secure one a coveted 30th Anniversary PS5 Slim Bundle, then you might want a quick reminder of everything included in it. Here’s a quick rundown of everything that you will get in the box.
Right off the bat, you have the Limited Edition PS5 Digital Edition console. This is a PS5 Slim in a special grey colorway based on the original PlayStation. It’s covered in cute details, like a classic colorful PlayStation logo and seems like real a treat for long-time fans of the brand.
As a Digital Edition variant, this version of the console does not feature a disc drive. A Limited Edition Console Cover for Disc Drive is packed in at least, so you can keep a matching grey aesthetic if you opt to add one at a later date. It does come alongside a Limited Edition Vertical Stand though, which is a solid bonus.
You also get a Limited Edition DualSense Wireless Controller. As you might expect, this is based on the iconic old PlayStation controller, with classic colored buttons and sleek grey look. It comes with a special USB-C cable, modelled after the chunky looking ones found on older consoles.
That’s not everything though. Some small extras are also in the package such as 4 PlayStation Shapes cable ties, a PlayStation sticker, a Limited Edition PlayStation poster, and a PlayStation paperclip.
A free paperclip? We’re sold.
Don’t forget to buy your disc drive!
Hardware Writer Dashiell Wood has this advice for those gearing up to pre-order a PS5 Pro:
“If you have a large physical game collection, definitely don’t forget to pick up the compatible disc drive in the pre-order rush. They’re available for $79.99 in the US or £99.99 in the UK, which might seem like a lot but could easily work out cheaper than buying many of your physical titles again digitally.
It’s a real shame that the PS5 Pro does not come bundled with a disc reader, especially given its high price tag, but I’m glad that there’s at least this option for those of us who prefer this old-school way to play.
I’m expecting stock of the disc drive to waver throughout the day as the PS5 Pro pre-orders come in and demand ramps up, so I would recommend picking one up soon if you get the chance.”
PS5 Pro unavailable at PS Direct in the US
Bad news for any early US shoppers as the PS5 Pro is now showing as “Currently Unavailable” at PS Direct in the region. This is going to be a bit of a pain if you were hoping to lock in a pre-order before they roll out to other retailers later on October 10, but is hopefully only a temporary setback.
Based on what we’ve seen over the last few days, we wouldn’t be too surprised if stock is replenished fairly soon. Stock of related accessories, like the Vertical Stand and Disc Drive seems to be holding strong for now.
If you’re still hoping to pick up a PS5 Pro from PS Direct rather than any other retailer, we would highly recommend keeping both the store page and this tab open and checking back periodically for the latest updates.
Things are looking a lot better over in the UK though, where the PS5 Pro is still readily up for pre-order from PS Direct for £699.99.
Remember the prices
It’s always worth remembering the basic stuff, like the prices right from the off. We say this as a general reminder but also so you know to be immediately wary of any strange-looking or irregular prices.
A regular PS5 Pro pre-order costs $699.99 or £699.99 in the US and UK respectively. A 30th Anniversary PS5 Slim bundle pre-order will set you back $499.99 in the US or £433.99 in the UK.
The only caveat to the PS5 Pro is that we don’t know if retailers will have the license – or the plan – to offer bundles of a higher cost that will also throw in stuff like the disc drive or vertical stand.
On the 30th Anniversary PS5 Slim, if you’re seeing a price above $499.99 / £433.99 then raise that eyebrow and take just a moment to interrogate it.
Early predictions: what can we expect at the big retailers?
Now that Sony will be opening up regular PS5 Pro pre-orders and 30th Anniversary PS5 Slim pre-orders to other retailers, we can expect a flurry of action at the go-to places – on both sides of the Atlantic.
We’ve even got some retailer listing pages live and ready at the likes of Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and the EE Store in the UK (slightly strangely) for both the regular Pro and the Anniversary PS5 Slim so we know where to point you and some important details on what to expect. We can interrogate these pages individually, and offer advice on maximizing your chances of getting the console you want.
It’s worth noting at this early stage that we don’t know exactly when all pre-orders for both will begin tomorrow at all retailers. For example, could UK retailers go live at midnight tonight? Maybe! We’ll be doing our best to cater for such an event. However, we do know a bit more about US retailers and times so we’ll be sure to cover that in this live blog to furnish you with the details you need.
So why are we getting prepared so early for this phase of pre-orders?
Well, as well as having the opportunity to place a regular PS5 Pro pre-order at your retailer of choice – exclusive to PlayStation Direct as they have been so far – there’s also another 30th Anniversary pre-order to look out for in the shape of the PS5 Slim Digital Edition bundle. While the PS5 Pro bundle took all the headlines last time, this PS5 Slim model, and its wider availability, will draw a lot of attention and demand.
We’re expecting that demand to manifest in some volatile stock levels and fierce competition: after all, it’s worth remembering that all of the current 30th Anniversary Collection hardware and accessories are totally sold out at PlayStation Direct (US and UK) and at any other retailers who had stock of the DualSense controller briefly.
As a result, if you’re eyeing up the PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary pre-order to get in on that retro PlayStation hardware action, then tomorrow is going to be an important day for you.
Hello! Welcome, pull up a chair, get comfortable, and settle in for our live coverage of the next phase of PS5 Pro pre-order and PS5 30th Anniversary Collection pre-order festivities.
We’re getting into position nice and early this time around and hope some extra preparation will help us, and you, navigate the action when it kicks in as the clock ticks over to October 10.
I’ll be covering retailer information for both regular PS5 Pro pre-orders, and the PS5 Slim 30th Anniversary console, as well as what we can expect, hope for, and prepare for in advance of pre-orders kicking off once again. Let’s get into it.
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