Sony has announced a new version of the PlayStation 5 featuring a Midnight Black theme. However, unlike most other models available worldwide, this one is exclusive to Japan, which means it comes with restrictions on the system language and account region.

Sony announced the new PlayStation 5 Midnight Black through an official blog post, confirming that the console is Japanese-only. This means the system language must be set to Japanese, and it can only be used with a PlayStation account whose country/region is set to Japan. These restrictions limit who can use it, even if they manage to buy one outside the country.

Midnight Black PS5 release date & price

As for its release date and price, Sony has confirmed that it will enter the Japanese market on November 19 with a ¥55,000 price tag, which converts to around $348. On top of that, a Disc Edition will also be released on the same day, but the company is yet to reveal its price. However, Sony will be offering a separate disc drive in black for ¥11,980 ($76).

At the moment, Sony has not mentioned whether it plans to release the new version in other markets later. However, keep in mind that Sony already sells a Midnight Black cover for the PS5 in other markets for around $54. This gives the console the same appearance as the newly announced version. So, if you’re interested in the black design, you can simply use that cover to transform your console, as the hardware inside remains the same.

That said, the PS5 Digital Edition currently costs $599 in the US, while the Disc Edition carries a $649 price tag. By restricting the new version to Japanese settings and accounts, Sony could discourage users from buying the cheaper Midnight Black version in Japan and then reselling it for a higher price elsewhere.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.