GameStop Offers Solution to PS5 Price Increase, But There's a Catch

Earlier today, PlayStation announced that the prices of all the PlayStation 5 models and the PlayStation 5 Pro would all be receiving a price increase starting April 2, 2026. Now, GameStop has an offer for players interested in the PS5, but there is some fine print to be aware of.

In a post to X from the official GameStop account, the company announced that GameStop stores in the U.S. will be offering "extra credit on all hardware." The new business strategy is aimed at players wanting to grab a PS5 or PS5 Pro, with the rest of the post reading, "so whether you're trading in a base PS5 for a PS5 Pro or dusting off an old console, now's the chance to beat the change and upgrade for less." The increased trade-in offer is only applicable to hardware, not video game trade-ins.

While this would normally be a workaround (and still may be) for some players who may be looking to invest in a new PS5, there is a catch to GameStop's offer that may make it too good to be true to some fans.

At the bottom of GameStop's announcement post, there is small print that reads, "Offer valid through April 4, 2026. Pro Membership required." So, not only is there a relatively strict time limit, but gamers will also have to be a GameStop Pro member in order to take advantage of this new deal. All hardware traded in must also be in good condition and have all components, like all the cables, in order to be traded in for this increased value.

A GameStop Pro membership currently costs $25 per year.

PlayStation cited "continued pressures in the global economic landscape" as the reason for the price increase.

Last year, Xbox also increased the prices of its consoles. Nintendo increased the price of the accessories for the Nintendo Switch 2 launch but kept the console price the same (for now). Though Nintendo is potentially considering game price increases, the digital and physical versions of the upcoming Yoshi and the Mysterious Book are different, with the digital version being $10 cheaper.