PS5 Pre-Orders: Cancellations, Chaos… What’s Going On?

Sony Playstation 5 digital
There they are: PS5 & PS5 Digital. So close, yet so far... like... really far. (Image Credit: Sony)

We don’t want to be the ones to alarm anyone. We’re also not trying to clickbait you, but it needs to be known: Not everybody that pre-ordered a PS5 might actually get the console on the release date. What’s going on there, Sony? Also: How does one get a PS5 around here?

The PS5 pre-order situation is a mess, to say the least (the Xbox Series X/S pre-order situation isn’t any different): First, they went live too early only to be immediately sold out, to then go into further preorder-waves that were also immediately sold out. Sony ended up making promises that were promptly followed by apologies and now the question is: What’s the most sure-fire way to get your hands on a PS5 as soon as possible?

How do I Pre-Order a PS5? Actually… How Can I Get a PS5 at All?

Most gamers know the meaning behind November 12 and November 19… they’re the release dates for Sony’s new system. They’re the dates you’ve memorized in a heartbeat while you’re still struggling to memorize half your families’ birthdays. But what’s a release date without an actual PS5? What to do to actually hold the sweet tech-marvel that is the DualSense in your hands on those actual dates?

Do You Pre-Order & Pray?

Do you go to the store, equipped with your trusted baseball bat, and battle it out? (Personally, I call mine Bertha, and we always swing for the fences)

Ps5 2
Look at all these PS5 accessories that we won't get. Yay! (Image Credit: Sony)

For one, you can check retailers constantly and try your luck. Whatever your region is, chances are your local e-dealers will put up pre-orders. Also, whatever your region is, one of those retailers is Amazon, and get this: Amazon themselves have sent emails to pre-orderers (is that a word? If not, it should be) that they might not get their systems on time:

“We're contacting you about your order of (PlayStation 5/Xbox Series X/S) to let you know in advance that you may not receive this item on the day it is released due to high demand. We are making every effort with the supplier to procure more inventory. We will provide additional updates once more information becomes available.”

If a multi-multi-quadrizillion dollar company tells you that of their own accord… you know it’s real. They risked massive pre-order cancellations just to let you know that your PS5 might be delayed. Call us conspiracy theorists, but we believe that means they know massive delays are coming.

Can I Get a PS5 at the Store?

If you ask us: We wouldn’t be surprised if some pre-orders don’t even make it under the Christmas tree (or in time for Hanukkah or the festivities of your choice). Should you try your luck at the store then? Well, don’t forget that we’re living in COVID-19 times and stores will not be allowed to host masses of buyers. In fact, if Sony were to supply stores, that would almost seem like tempting Corona hotspots… like throwing live-meat to a horde of starved zombies. Honestly: You probably won’t be able to walk into a store and just buy a PlayStation 5. So… back to the canceled pre-orders, then, huh?

Argh...

Kids: This is what happens when supply doesn’t meet demand.

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Amidu Njiemoun

Amidu is a Brunel University graduate, and former published novel & screenplay writer turned gaming journalist and show host. He was a Senior Content Creator and Content Co-Lead at EarlyGame....