After two years on the market, you’d probably think it would be easier to buy a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X now.
Sure, there’s the semiconductor shortage the world is still grappling with and a bottleneck in the supply chain expected to last until 2023 (unless 2024 corresponding some estimates). But, as said by Jim Ryan, President of Sony Interactive Entertainment the annual PlayStation Partner Awards in Japan on December 2, the company reportedly “solved the long-term supply problem of the PlayStation 5“in Asian markets.
Oh yeah? Then why, when my city called several brick-and-mortar stores just days before Christmas this year. Have we been told that stock for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles is either very limited or completely gone?
The truth is that while it’s gotten a little easier to get your hands on new-gen consoles, it still takes diligence and patience – unless you want the smaller, cuter Series S or can wait for shipping. Otherwise, similar to last yearif you were hoping to walk in and out of a store with a brand new console in your hands, you’re probably out of luck.
Inventory in brick-and-mortar stores is unreliable
G/O Media may receive a commission
You might be tempted to call your local physical retailer like Best Buy or GameStop to buy a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X in store. That’s certainly a possibility, although it depends on the console you choose.
A GameStop employee at a location in Manhattan, New York, told my city on the phone that Sony’s system is “rarely” in stock and when it hits store shelves it’s gone within a week. The Xbox Series X is “a little more common,” the rep said, but it faces the same inventory problem: When it’s available, it’ll sell out in just a few days. This situation is being replicated at other physical stores, including Best Buy and Walmart, and employees at both retailers are reporting my city in brief phone interviews that the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are “occasionally” in stock but sell out quickly.
Surprisingly, things are a little different at Target. A clerk at a Manhattan store said the PlayStation 5 is indeed on the shelves “right now,” but people wanting to buy one couldn’t just walk in, bring one to the counter, and check out. Instead, you’ll need to do an in-store pickup through the company’s website, and if inventory is available, you can walk in with money and walk out with a PlayStation 5. In a flashy twist, the Xbox Series X was available immediately. The clerk said if I really wanted to, I could buy the Microsoft console right now. However, they were quick to point out that all system purchases – particularly on the PlayStation 5 – were limited to one per person due to “security concerns”. whoops
Online retailers are a little bit better, but not by much
If brick-and-mortar stores are unreliable when it comes to physical inventory, you may have a better chance of buying a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X online and having it delivered to your home. All major retailers usually stock both consoles, and if they’re not available individually you can usually bundle them with a game or subscription. There are of course some exceptions here. GameStopfor example, is completely sold out Individually Playstation 5s and Xbox Series Xs currently online. How it is best buy on the Playstation 5although you can Order the Xbox Series X if you have an account.
Ordering anything from Walmart is always difficult as the company tends to work with third party suppliers to complete transactions. But since I’m checking the company’s website, Playstation 5s and Xbox Series Xs are mostly available online – although prices for these consoles seem to vary widely. destination is similar strange, with both systems either “discontinued for shipping” or banned for in-store pickup only – of course only if they’re available at all. A quick note here though: you can also order the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X directly from Sony and Microsoft‘s official websites and they appear to be in stock. Shipping here also appears to be on par with other major retailers, with orders now arriving just days after Christmas. Not bad.
Hey, you could always just get yourself an Xbox Series S
You may have noticed that I skipped an entire console: the Xbox Series S. That’s because, as I’ve written before, Microsoft’s cheaper, smaller system is almost always available. Several employees in the stationary shops told my city on the phone that they have “a lot” of Xbox Series S on their shelves at the moment. And while poking around at several online retailers, including Microsoft’s own website, the slimmer sister to the gigantic shoebox Xbox Series X was ready to be ordered.
Sure it isn’t the monster powerhouse this is the Xbox Series X. It can’t output native “true 4K” and only has four teraflops of processing power compared to its bigger sister’s 12. And yes, you only get 512GB of internal storage instead of 1TB. However, what the system lacks in performance it makes up for in its impressive form factor and affordable price point. If you’re willing to make those small compromises, then the Xbox Series S is an excellent way to get into this current generation of console gaming.
Another year is in the books, y’all. We made it. The entertainment and tech industries are still reeling from both the ongoing pandemic and semiconductor shortages, but things appear to be calming down somewhat. Perhaps the prognosis of getting a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X by this time next year is significantly better. At least we don’t have to worry too much about bots anymore.
