Update March 31st, 4:45PM ET: Despite language on Amazon indicating a forthcoming restock event, the retailer has yet to open up its listing for the PlayStation 5. The Xbox Series X, on the other hand, is still available for Amazon Prime subscribers at this time.
Yesterday’s restock of PlayStation 5 Digital Edition consoles at Amazon left a lot to be desired, but today presents a new opportunity. Amazon is preparing for another drop of the $499.99 PlayStation 5 (the standard model with a disc drive) today, and it already has Xbox Series X consoles available for $499. If recent events tell us anything, the PS5 is going to sell out quickly once it goes live, and the Xbox may stick around for much longer, as it’s been regularly available at Walmart. Though once again, you need to subscribe to Amazon’s popular Prime service to even have a chance at a console.
You have to act quickly, especially if you’re going for a PS5. Amazon’s site does not have the same level of bot protection and timed waiting queues, something a number of other retailers have started to employ. Because of this, you’ll want to log into your Amazon Prime account and ensure your billing and shipping info is up to date. You may also have a better chance of getting it in your cart without an error message if you add the console to a wishlist, which you can do ahead of time, and refresh the list once PS5s are available to add to your cart from there.
If you don’t have any luck this time around, be sure to follow @VergeDeals on Twitter for future console availability. We’re always keeping an eye out for restocks, as well surfacing tech deals for you here on the site and straight to your inbox via our twice-a-week newsletter.
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Sony’s flagship next-gen console, which includes a disc drive, allows you to play both digital and physical games for the PS4 and PS5.
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The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s flagship console, serving as its most powerful (and biggest) option. While the Series S is aimed at smooth 1440p performance and takes a disc-less approach, the $500 Series X is focused on fast, 4K gameplay.
Accessories and games for the PS5 you hopefully just got
If you’re lucky enough to snag a PS5, you now have a bunch of new purchases to consider — like what games and accessories do you need out of the gate. Here are some we recommend.
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Guerilla Games’ new installment in the Horizon series, Horizon Forbidden West puts you back in control of Aloy to traverse a vast open world filled with machine animals and expansive quests. The PS4 physical version is $10 cheaper than the PS5 version and upgradeable for free.
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Insomniac Games’ latest adventure in the Ratchet & Clank series is the most fun entry yet. It’s also the first to launch on PS5, and it’s both a showcase for amazing graphics and fast loading speeds.
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Sony’s own wireless gaming headset, made to showcase the PS5’s 3D audio effect, also works on the PS4.
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Midnight black DualSense controller
The midnight black DualSense controller sports the same hardware as the original — haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, etc. — only with a two-tone black design reminiscent of PS2, PS3, and PS4 consoles.
Accessories and games for a new Xbox owner
If Xbox is your jam, here are some options for games, accessories, and subscription services that you can’t go wrong with.
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The latest FromSoftware title, Elden Ring, applies the Dark Souls formula to a vast, open world.
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The latest installment in the cherished sci-fi first-person shooter franchise delivers a hefty open-world campaign, along with a free-to-play multiplayer mode.
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Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (three-month subscription)
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers access to more than 100 titles, including the likes of Doom, Hades, and Halo Infinite, which you can play on multiple devices. The pass also gives subscribers access to exclusive deals, online multiplayer, and Microsoft’s cloud gaming service, Xbox Cloud Gaming.
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Microsoft’s Xbox Stereo Headset offers a no-fuss, wired solution for gaming on the Xbox One and Series X / S, as well as PCs, and just about anything with a 3.5mm connection. The gaming headset looks similar to Xbox Wireless Headset, but it lacks features like the chat/game audio mix dial.
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The official Xbox Wireless Controller has a dedicated share button for saving clips and screenshots and sharing them online, Bluetooth support, and a USB-C port for charging up Microsoft’s play-and-charge rechargeable battery.
