PlayStation 5: Where to Buy the PS5

You wouldn’t know it, but the PlayStation 5 has been on shelves for well over two years now. Released way back in November 2020 the reality for most is that it feels more like the PS5 has only been out a few months.

For while shelves have been empty for the majority of its short life, stock is finally starting to land here in NZ. And now, it’s relatively simple to find a PS5 in some capacity. Although if you want one, you might be forced into somewhat of a compromise…

PlayStation 5: what’s available?

PlayStation 5 consoles are here and available, but shelves are hardly awash with stock. So it is still possible that you could find a short wait to get your hands on a console. It’s also worth noting that almost all retailers have strict 1 console per customer limits.

Furthermore, you can’t afford to be picky about what you want. This is down to the fact that the overall trend right now seems to be you can purchase either a:

• Standalone PlayStation 5 digital console or …
• a PS5 bundle

If you want the Digital edition, that can only play games downloaded from the PlayStation store, then it’s not an issue. But if you want the disk option, that comes with an Ultra HD Blu-ray compatible optical disc drive so you can play disc-based games, you’ll have to stump up more for extra games and/or controllers, headphones etc. And that’s on top of the recent price increases Sony has already thrown onto the consoles.

Preorders are open!

However, a few retailers (as shown below) have recently opened up preorders for standalone PS5 consoles, which are due to arrive in the country in December. Note that a deposit or full upfront payment may be required and there is a strict 1 console per customer policy.

Otherwise, if you want a console right now, continue reading to see what’s available.

What bundles/products are available now?

As mentioned above, it’s common to only find the Digital version of the PlayStation 5 being sold as a standalone console. But if you want the flagship console, you’ll likely be charged extra for a ‘bundle’. Some recent bundles have been:

• Horizon Forbidden West Bundle ($999*) – includes a digital download voucher for Horizon Forbidden West
• God of War Ragnarök Bundle ($1019*) – includes a digital download voucher for God of War Ragnarök
• PS5 Bundle ($1396*) – including an extra dual sense controller (2x in total), Pulse 3D headset, media remote.

While the above games are massively popular titles, it is a little strange that the above bundles include digital downloads of the games, seeming they are included with the flagship PS5, which includes a disc drive. Especially as the bundles don’t work out as great value.

That’s because although the PlayStation store sells the digital edition (which is what’s included in the bundle) of Horizon Forbidden West and God of War Ragnarök for $139.95*, local retailers are selling physical copies for around $108!*

That means if you were to buy a standalone PS5 ($899.95*) and a physical copy of the above games from a local retailer you’d be paying $1007.95. While that’s $8.95 more than the Horizon Forbidden West bundle, it’s actually $11.05 cheaper than the God of War bundle!

Vodafone deal

One way to almost get your hands on a standalone PlayStation 5 right now is through Vodafone. Although, as you might suspect from a telco offering add-ons like gaming consoles, it comes with a few catches…

Currently, Vodafone is offering a PlayStation 5 bundle. With this bundle, customers can buy a PlayStation 5 ($899.95) with an extra DualSense Wireless Controller ($124.95) (so not quite a standalone PlayStation 5, but a second controller isn’t a bad add-on to get as part of the deal) and pay it off interest-free over 36 months. So all you need to pay on the day is the $99 deposit.

While that sounds great, it’s worth noting that you won’t just have to pay for the PlayStation over the next 36 months, as you’ll be required to take out a Vodafone Endless Pay Monthly plan for that same period. And while the PlayStation comes without added fees or interest (you get it for the same price you’d pay in-store) if Vodafone’s phone plan isn’t the best for your needs, you could end up overpaying.

You can compare Vodafone’s Endless pay monthly plans here.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that this deal is in-store only, so you’ll have to enquire about availability at your nearest Vodafone store, or, visit the Vodafone website for more information.

Why is it so hard to buy JUST a PS5?

There’s no official explanation as to why we’re being fed nothing but bundles upon bundles, but the standard logic would tell us it’s to make some extra bucks in add-ons.

Covid-induced supply shortages, shipping delays, inflation and more have all meant that Sony has not been able to sell at the level they’d have hoped to. After all, we’ve all spent the past two years aimlessly scrolling retailer sites in the hope a PS5 would magically appear.

So now that some of these issues are easing, and stock is ramping up, it’s hardly a surprise Sony and/or retailers would like to make some extra bucks. After all, customers have been waiting so long that they’re likely to buy as many add-ons as necessary to get their hands on a console.

Where to buy the PlayStation 5 in New Zealand: retailer updates

Below is a list of retailers where you can buy PlayStation 5 consoles, at the time of writing (24/11/22). It’s worth noting that, as stock is frequently changing, information may not be up to date and thus it pays to check all the below retailer sites regardless of what console/bundle you are looking for.

Standalone PlayStation 5 ($899.95*)

• EB Games – Preorders open for late December arrival
• JB Hi-Fi – Preorders open for December arrival
• Vodafone – Extra controller included (additional $124.95) and on a 36-month term.

Standalone PlayStation 5 Digital ($729*)

• JB Hi-Fi – Preorders open for December arrival

PS5 + God of War Ragnarök Bundle ($1019*)

• EB Games – Preorders open for late December arrival
• JB Hi-Fi  – Preorders open for December arrival
• Noel Leeming
• The Warehouse
• Mighty Ape

PS5 + Horizon Forbidden West Bundle ($999*)

• Mighty Ape – Preorders open for December arrival

Other retailers

Below is a list of retailers that, at the time of writing, do not have any stock. However, they are retailers that typically sell gaming consoles, and it may  be worth checking in with them regularly:

• PB Tech – was previously selling the Horizon Forbidden West Bundle
• Sony – was previously selling the God of War Ragnarök Bundle
• NZ Game shop
• Harvey Norman
• Dick Smith
• Fishpond

→Related article: Best Broadband Plans to Keep Up with your Gaming Needs

*All prices are taken from retailer websites and are accurate at the time of writing (10/11/22). They should be used as a guide and not considered an actual quote.

About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Andrew Broadley. Andrew is an experienced writer with a wide range of industry experience. Starting out, he cut his teeth working as a writer for print and online magazines, and he has worked in both journalism and editorial roles. His content has covered lifestyle and culture, marketing and, more recently, finance for Canstar.