PlayStation 5 Pro 30th Anniversary Edition Sells Out in Minutes as Scalpers Drive Prices Sky-High
The highly anticipated PlayStation 5 Pro – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle sold out almost immediately after pre-orders went live on September 26, leaving many fans frustrated and opening the door for scalpers to list the consoles at inflated prices.
Priced at approximately $1,180 USD (£959.99) and $1,165 USD (€1,099.99) in Europe, this collector’s item was available exclusively through PlayStation Direct. The bundle celebrates the legacy of the original PlayStation console, featuring a unique design and color scheme that calls back to the system that started it all. With only 12,300 units produced worldwide, each console is individually numbered, increasing its appeal as a collector’s item.
The PS5 Pro – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle includes several exclusive items:
• Limited edition PS5 Pro console
• Limited edition DualSense Edge wireless controller
• Limited edition DualSense wireless controller
• Limited edition DualSense charging station
• Limited edition console cover for the disc drive
• Limited edition vertical stand
• Original PlayStation controller-style cable connector housing
• Four PlayStation-shaped cable ties
• PlayStation sticker
• Limited Edition PlayStation poster (one of 30 possible designs)
• PlayStation paperclip
Shortly after pre-orders opened in the UK and across Europe, shoppers were met with sold-out messages within minutes, sparking frustration for those who had queued online in hopes of securing the limited-edition bundle. Meanwhile, scalpers wasted no time listing their pre-orders on resale platforms like eBay, with some listings reaching prices as high as $12,200 USD (£10,000). Notably, many of these scalpers do not have the consoles in hand, as they are selling their successful pre-orders rather than physical units.
Adding to the scarcity, the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle, which was less restricted in availability compared to the PS5 Pro version, also sold out rapidly, driving up prices across the secondary market.
In response to the situation, an eBay representative told IGN, “Presale listings are allowed on eBay if they comply with our presale policy. Listings that do not comply may be removed and sellers may face sanctions on their account. eBay’s price gouging policy only applies to essential items and does not include items such as video game consoles.”
This surge in scalping echoes the issues seen four years ago when the original PlayStation 5 launched, with Sony struggling to control the situation at that time. Although the 30th Anniversary Collection won’t be officially released until November 21, there’s still time for Sony and platforms like eBay to take action. However, neither company has announced any specific plans to address the scalping concerns at this stage.
As the gaming community anxiously awaits the release of the limited-edition consoles, the hope remains that more fair purchasing opportunities will arise and that both Sony and retailers will implement stronger measures to combat scalping.
