PS5 consoles are rumoured to drop in most UK retailers next week after has been dubbed as the worst week since February.
It comes after gamers have kept an eye on the Smyths website after rumours of a stock drop swirled on social media – but this did not happen.
But there could also be further restocks GAME and Argos between April 8 – 14 according to a online stock tracker.
@Ps5Instant said: “Expecting GAME (9-10am) & Argos (1-4am) 8th to 14th April, Smyths COULD drop tomorrow, but likely next week.
It comes as Very, John Lewis, Asda, ShopTo and eBuyer are all rumoured to have PS5 drops lined up over the next week.
Rumours also continue that Amazon is about to make a large drop of PS5 consoles any day now.
Follow our PS5 live blog below for the very latest news, updates and stock drop rumours…
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EASTER BANK HOLIDAY TO BE DRY ON CONSOLE DROPS
A PS5 restock alerts account on Twitter has assured gamers desperately trying to get hold of a console that “April is promising”.
The account, @PS5CentralNews, claims “at least one major retailer will release every week”.
With the bank holiday weekend looming, it is unlikely there will be any drops until next Tuesday at the earliest now.
But we will of course keep you up-to-date with any stock releases!
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PS5 CONSOLE STILL ‘NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE’ TO BUY
Getting your hands on a PS5 is still “nearly impossible” even though the console was released months ago.
A report by Business Insider says the consoles are still being swept up by resellers, some are using bots to beat their human rivals.
Resale websites like StockX are charging $730 (£530), just shy of a 50 per cent mark up on the retail price.
The global microchip shortage and the ongoing global pandemic are both impacting Sony’s ability to produce more PS5s.
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TOP TIPS FOR BAGGING PS5 RESTOCKS
When PS5 stock drops, gamers will need to have their finger on the pulse.
Here are three top tips to make sure you can snag a console.
- Watch out for Twitter trends – it’s always worth keeping an eye on stock tracker accounts who can give you a heads up.
- Look for bundles – they might be more expensive but they don’t sell out as quickly as other console deals.
- Use multiple devices – make sure you’re using your phone, laptop, tablet and whatever else is available to refresh the page
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PLAYSTATION RELEASE APRIL’S PS PLUS GAMES
The latest PlayStation Plus games have been released.
These are Oddworld Soulstorm, Days Gone and Zombie Army.
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STOCK DROPS LIKELY NEXT WEEK
Restock tipsters on Twitter believe the next stock drops won’t realistically be until next week now as it is Easter weekend.
But gamers shouldn’t completely dismiss the idea of a drop today – as Smyths could restock today.
We will keep you updated!
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EXPLAINED: CAN YOU PLAY PS4 GAMES ON PS5?
The PlayStation 5 console is compatible with PS4 games.
The console accepts physical discs and the architecture is based on the PS4 so it will support an overwhelming majority of PS4 games, GAME reports.
Sony also confirmed some older games may actually play better on the PS5 thanks to a boosted frequency and more stable frame rate.
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SMYTHS DROPPING ON MONDAY?
PS5 UK Stock has rumoured this.
It says: “Smyths has a small drop of 2000 units planned for early April,” reads a stock tweet. “John Lewis has pallets of PS5 in warehouses.”
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FIFA 21 DOMINATES SALES ACROSS THE US AND EUROPE
According to PushSquare, Fifa 21 is the most bought game for PS5 games across Europe and the United States.
It was also the best-selling PS4 game in the European region.
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TIMES OF PAST SMYTHS DROPS
There were hopes the retailers were put out stock today – but still we wait.
Twitter restock alert account @PS5UKStock has noted a list of the times of previous stock drops – which has been at various points of the day.
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BAD WEEK
Trusted PS5 Stock UK on Twitter said: “This week marked the first week with only one stock drop since the first week of February.
“Therefore, we expect most retailers except Amazon UK to drop stock this week.
“Retailers either stacked up on stock, or they had logistical issues due to Evergreen.”
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ARGOS ‘WORKING HARD’ TO RESTOCK
Argos has tried to allay concerns, saying it is “working hard” to replenish stock of the elusive PS5 console.
Gamers have been urged to keep an eye on the website for updates as a drop looms.
We will keep you updated!
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PRICE DROPPING
CEX is now selling the disc-based PlayStation 5 for £680 —.compared to the £800 plus price tags from just a few months before.
Meanwhile, WeBuy price have dropped to just £470.
And thankfully, scalpers looking to offload units to CEX will no longer turn a profit.
eBay have also gone way down, averaging between £500 and £600.
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WHEN DID THE PS5 LAUNCH?
Sony launched two versions of the PlayStation 5 in the US on November 12, and in the UK on November 19.
The full PS5 costs £449/$499, while a Digital Edition without a disc tray is priced at £359/$399.
They’re up against Microsoft’s Xbox Series X (£449) and Xbox Series S (£249), which hit shelves worldwide on November 10.
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GET READY, GET SET!
According to the Twitter account PS5 Instant, which shares rumours around upcoming stock drops, GAME and Amazon are also gearing up for restocks.
As with previous batches, all number just a couple thousands consoles, meaning they’ll sell out pretty quickly.
“Smyths has a small drop of 2000 units planned for early April. John Lewis has pallets of PS5 in warehouses,” PS5 Instant tweeted.
“April is promising for stock; at least one major retailer will release every week! With GAME & Amazon receiving two big shipments minimum.”
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STOCK DROPS LIKELY NEXT WEEK
Restock tipsters on Twitter believe the next stock drops won’t realistically be until next week now as it is Easter weekend.
But gamers shouldn’t completely dismiss the idea of a drop today – as Smyths could restock today.
We will keep you updated!
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PETITION TO END SCALPING
An online petition calling for an end to he buying and reselling of goods/services at inflated prices – known as scalping – has reached 17,887.
It reads: “I believe the law around this practice needs to be reviewed and measures to prevent it need to be introduced.
“This practice is most prevalent in the buying and re-selling of event tickets but also has a significant impact on the sales of trainers/clothes and technology. The most recent case in point is the launch of the PlayStation 5 and X Box Series X consoles.
“Both pre-orders and launch day stock were sold out instantaneously and then thousands of listings appeared on eBay at over double the RRP. A reseller group claimed to have been able to secure 3500 of these.”
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GAMES DROPPING THIS MONTH
- Outriders – April 1
- Guilty Gear: Strive Deluxe And Ultimate Edition Early Access – April 6
- Guilty Gear: Strive – April 9
- Final Fantasy 14 Online: A Realm Reborn Open Beta – April 13
- MLB The Show 21 Collector’s Edition Early Access – April 16
- MLB The Show 21 – April 20
- MotoGP 21 – April 22
- Judgement – April 23
- Returnal – April 30
- Terminator: Resistance Enhanced – April 30
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THE WAIT FOR PS5 STOCK GOES ON..
No drops have taken place yet today, despite hopes of a Smyths restock.
It is thought that realistically after today, no retailers will restock the PS5 until Tuesday at the earliest, given it’s Easter Sunday tomorrow and a bank holiday on Monday.
We’ll continue to keep you updated throughout, however, on the latest updates and possible drop times and dates!
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GAME OVER AS STORE CLOSING FOR PS3
Buying games for your favourite old PlayStation consoles is about to get a lot harder.
That’s because Sony is closing down its PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation Portable this summer.
It means anyone wanting to buy games for their retro systems online will have to do so before official marketplaces vanish worldwide.
Sony announced the controversial move in a post on its website.
It read: “We are closing PlayStation Store on PlayStation 3 consoles on 2nd July 2021 and on PlayStation Vita devices on 27th August 2021. Additionally, the remaining purchase functionality for PSP will also retire on 2nd July 2021.”
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APRIL ‘PROMISING’ FOR PS5 STOCK DROPS
Gamers are hoping several major retailers will be dropping stock this month.
The PS5 has been extremely difficult to get hold of – despite being released months ago.
Restock account @Ps5Instant on Twitter believes “at least one major retailer will release every week”.
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EXPLAINED: CAN YOU PLAY PS4 GAMES ON PS5?
The PlayStation 5 console is compatible with PS4 games.
The console accepts physical discs and the architecture is based on the PS4 so it will support an overwhelming majority of PS4 games, GAME reports.
Sony also confirmed some older games may actually play better on the PS5 thanks to a boosted frequency and more stable frame rate.
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SCALPER CLAIMS TO HAVE MADE £10K
An 18-year-old scalper claims to have made £10,000 from flogging PS5 consoles, GiveMeSport reports.
The teen told Radio 1 Newsbeat that he has made around £10,000 from scalping consoles since November as prices skyrocket online.
“At the start when stock was limited, you could easily sell a PS5 for £800,” says Jake.
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SUN’S FAVOURITE ALTERNATIVE TO A GAMES CONSOLE
The Sun’s favourite alternative to a games console is the Oculus Quest 2 VR headset.
Grab a VR headset and you’ll be able to play the legendary Beat Saber – like Guitar Hero, but with lightsabers.
And Dell’s Alienware R10 Ryzen Edition is a gaming PC powerhouse that crushes both the new consoles.
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SAVE CONTROLER BATTERY
You can also hold the PlayStation button for other shortcuts.
Pressing it down for about 10 seconds switches off your controller manually.
This is a quick and easy way to save battery if you’re stepping away from your console for a while.
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READY TO GO BEYOND?
A new UK company has created a next level, healthy, energy drink which supports the brains cognitive function, whilst also delivering absolutely everything the body needs for long-term gaming sessions.
Beyond NRG is the next generation of energy supplements for gamers.
Billy Webb, Founder and CEO of Beyond NRG, said: “We are seeing an incredible difference in how people view esports this year.
“It’s like suddenly everyone is realising that these professional gamers are proper athletes, and they need to be treated (and nourished) as such.”
