It looks like on November 8, two days before the solo versions, the PS5 compact Spider-Man 2 combo will go on sale.
It seems that details about the release date of the slimmer and lighter mid-generation update of the PS5, along with information about its initial bundle, have surfaced online. A reliable tipster named Billbil-kun, known for accurately revealing monthly PS Plus game information in advance, suggests that the new PlayStation consoles with a smaller form factor will be available for purchase on November 10 in the US, followed by a global release, encompassing both disc and digital versions. Additionally, Sony plans to bundle it with the recently launched Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on November 8, priced at $559.99, the same as the existing standard edition bundle. While it’s not explicitly stated, the content is expected to be identical, featuring a digital voucher for the game and a themed controller.
Billbil-kun’s report, which has been machine-translated from French, indicates that the Spider-Man 2 bundle will include only the disc version of the PS5 slim, described as ‘without dedicated design.’ This likely refers to the special edition red-and-black PS5, where it appears as if the console is being consumed by Venom’s black symbiote. However, it’s unclear whether this refers to the detachable disc drive or the entire console side plate. Sony recently unveiled the new PS5 Slim, which is 30 percent smaller than the base PlayStation 5 and is lighter by 18 to 24 percent, depending on the version. It is set to be available next month and features a glossy top half and a matte bottom, separated by a streak of black. Similar to the original launch, it will come in two versions: the Digital Edition and one equipped with a detachable Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive.
The drive also includes a white plastic shroud to protect it from dust and debris, which can be easily attached. The PS5 Slim disc edition is priced at $499.99 (approximately Rs. 41,555), matching the cost of the original. The PS5 Slim Digital Edition costs $449.99 (about Rs. 37,400), a slight increase from $399. However, users have the option to purchase the Blu-ray drive separately and insert it, which is sold separately for $79.99 (approximately Rs. 6,650). In terms of hardware, both consoles retain the same processing power and graphics capabilities, but there’s a slight upgrade in internal storage, going from an 825GB SSD to a 1TB SSD. It’s important to note that once Sony exhausts its inventory of launch edition PS5s, this new slimmer variant will be the sole option available.
The report also mentions that various Japanese sellers, including the regional Amazon site, have opened pre-orders for the PS5 Slim, with the aforementioned November 10 date. As of July, Sony had sold 40 million PS5 units globally, and it allegedly expects to exceed that number with the refreshed console sales. In India, the current-gen standard PS5 disc edition is priced at Rs. 54,990, while the Digital Edition is available for Rs. 44,990. Both editions are now readily accessible through online and physical stores, with recent discounts possibly due to slower sales in the country. Sony also has plans to launch the PlayStation Portal, a handheld gaming device, later this year, allowing players to stream their games seamlessly from their console to a smaller screen via Wi-Fi.
