Game On: Sony raises PS5 prices in U.S. nearly five years after release

“Game On” is The Fly’s weekly recap of the stories powering up or beating down video game stocks.

NEW RELEASES: This week’s most notable new game release is Konami’s (KONMY) stealth-action game “Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater,” a remake of 2004’s “Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.” The remake is available August 28 for PC, PlayStation 5 (SONY), and Xbox Series X/S (MSFT). Also out this week is Microsoft’s “Gears of War: Reloaded,” a remake of the 2006 shooter “Gears of War,” out August 26 for PC, Xbox Series, and PS5. The release marks the first time a “Gears of War” title has been playable on a PlayStation console. Meanwhile, Nintendo’s (NTDOY) “Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Switch 2 Edition” launches on Switch 2 on August 28, adding new graphical features and playable content to the 2022 Switch title. Additionally, Sony’s 2024 multiplayer title “Helldivers 2” launches on Xbox Series X/S on August 26.

PS5 PRICE HIKE: Last Wednesday, Sony raised the prices, effective August 21, for the PlayStation 5 to $549.99, PlayStation 5 Digital Edition to $499.99, and PlayStation 5 Pro to $749.99. “Similar to many global businesses, we continue to navigate a challenging economic environment. As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to increase the recommended retail price for PlayStation 5 consoles in the U.S. starting on August 21,” the company said in a statement.

Following the move, the Financial Times reported that Sony is looking to ensure that first-party studios, standalone groups that produce games exclusively for PlayStation, contribute more to overall revenue growth and take measured risks without losing their independence. “I don’t want teams to always play it safe, but I would like for us, when we fail, to fail early and cheaply,” said Hermen Hulst, chief executive of the studio business at Sony Interactive Entertainment.

ROG XBOX ALLY: Microsoft announced last week that, together with Asus (ASUUY), it is launching the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X on October 16. “These devices deliver an era of handheld gaming that makes it easier than ever to access your favorite games from Xbox, Battle.net, and other leading PC storefronts wherever you go,” the Xbox maker said. “Whether you’re experiencing the crisp, colorful skateparks of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 or diving into the dynamic, immersive action of Gears of War: Reloaded, the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are built to give you the freedom to play your way, anytime, anywhere. On October 16, the Xbox Ally handhelds will be available in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, China (Xbox Ally X only), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam. Availability will follow for other markets where ROG Ally series products are sold today, including Brazil, India, Indonesia and Thailand. In China, the Xbox Ally will launch early next year.” The company said it will provide more details about pricing and pre-orders in the coming weeks.

WEDBUSH ON ROBLOX: Shares of Roblox (RBLX) were on the rise on Monday after Wedbush said that notwithstanding a slew of recent and forthcoming hit pieces and legal action, it views Roblox as “the most compelling growth opportunity in the video game sector.” The firm cites management’s quick, decisive, and robust child safety response which “should assuage investor concerns;” the flywheel from recent hit games; developer incentives, infrastructure improvements, and AI-driven discovery that are driving massive platform growth; genre expansion and aging up, which increase potential ad inventory; and pricing optimization across games and regions, driving improved revenue streams. While Wedbush expects some ongoing volatility in Roblox’s share price when new hit pieces or legal action surface, it argues that Roblox continues to be quick to respond, with meaningful actions it has taken and plans to create a safe and engaging environment across its age cohorts. The firm has an Outperform rating on the shares with a price target of $165.

OTHER VIDEO GAME NEWS:

• Activision said “Call of Duty: Black Ops 7” will be out November 14, 2025
• Nintendo is expected to host a Nintendo Direct presentation in mid-September, VGC reports
• 2024 Xbox game “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” will release on Switch 2 in 2026