PS5 conundrum

[User748937744]

My child would like a PS5 for Christmas. Happy with a slim digital PS5 which I have now found for £329 at John Lewis (link below!).

Do I buy it now? Will there be better deals nearer Christmas? What accessories would be good to go with the PS5? Controllers?

Any advice so welcome. AIBU to think about this 4 months in advance?! (Only 4 months till Christmas!!)

I like to spread the cost of Christmas and not go wild. If my child gets this they will get a couple of other things (lego sets mainly!) and a stocking.

https://www.johnlewis.com/playstation-5-digital-edition-model-group-slim-console-with-dualsense-controller/p111302606?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_technology_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20158950478&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1y7cbMq9vcGTHvktWoGef-8f&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpO-wnM72jgMVkppQBh18LxT_EAQYAyABEgIRmfD_BwE

There might be bundle offers closer to Christmas, such as with a game or controller but I doubt it’ll be worth the wait. The PS5 pro is out now and is the main focus.

I hate feeling so lost with this stuff. So many different versions etc. My child is happy with the slim digital (knows it's the cheapest!). Gah. Thanks for the reply though!

I would say get the console now. There are always supply issues at christmas.
You could look at accessory bundles for nearer christmas time?
Like another controller or headset/ games bundle.

If you get the disc version it opens up buying very cheap PS4/PS5 games from eBay, many with free PS5 upgrades.

To be fair with the digital edition you can get a plug in drive but it's the same cost as just buying one to start with.

Your link shows it as £429.99 which is the standard RRP.

If he wants a game that will be released before Christmas then wait because you might get a deal on console and game bundle.
Is he going to play alone ? Online ? You need a Playstation+ subscription to play online. If he’s going to play with friends then he needs a gaming headset.
If he’s very young then register the console and do the game/hardware updates before Christmas Day. The servers can be busy on the day and it can take a while if your home internet is slow. Older kids will know this and be fine but younger kids are going to be very disappointed if they can’t use it immediately.

Whether or not he needs a second controller depends on what kind of games he plays. Many are for 1 player.

It’s £329 on John Lewis at the moment. Not sure what’s wrong with the link!

This is a good point. He’s adamant that he only wants to play a couple of games and digital is ok. But I have also had the same concerns about not then being able to buy cheap games (and sell them on!)

All excellent points. He’s not very young (secondary) and at the moment he uses his switch to play online with friends and he also loves some switch games solo.

he is only allowed 2 hours a day at weekends but will have a bit more time over the holidays.

Get it now if that's what you want. I personally wouldn't get a digital only though. Just have a bit of mind when you hook a card up to it in order to buy the games. If he loses his account then he'll lose everything he's bought as they're all digital.

Yes he'll need controllers.

I just wonder if it will be even cheaper nearer to Christmas. I also worry slightly about the guarantee from John Lewis starting 4 months before he starts to use it!

I'd wait until black Friday/cyber Monday. I also echo the posters saying get one with a disc drive CEX and similar can be great for second hand games

You might get some bundles that'll cost more but standalones probably wouldn't fluctuate that much now, it's not like there's a shortage. Just make sure you update it before the day.

He can still get cheap games from sales on the PlayStation store. Or pay for ps+. I haven't bought a new game in years.