It’s time for another chance to buy the most desirable console on the market today: Sony’s PlayStation 5. Walmart has another stash of PS5 consoles on the way for Walmart Plus subscribers. The drop-only for members is scheduled for tomorrow, April 19, at 12 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT, and it’s set to include both the disc-based PS5 for $499 and the PS5 Digital Edition for $399. You’ll need a paid Walmart Plus account to try either one (no free trials allowed), and while the premium plan costs $98 per year, you can subscribe for just one month for $12.95 to try a PS5.
We’ve been through this exercise at Walmart many times before, and while no one likes to pay extra for access to buy a console, the retail giant is one of the more reliable stores selling consoles that aren’t bundled. This planned addition is no different, and both versions of the PS5 are available at their regular prices without having to buy a large bundle.
Playstation 5
Sony’s flagship next-gen console, which includes a disc drive, lets you play both digital and physical games for the PS4 and PS5.
PlayStation 5 Digital Edition
The PS5 Digital Edition costs $399. Compared to the standard PS5, this console is $100 less and does not include a Blu-ray disc drive.
When the time comes tomorrow, there are a number of things you can do to prepare yourself for success. First, make sure that your Walmart Plus account is sorted and that the billing and shipping addresses you want to use for the purchase are saved. Also, be ready to refresh the page on the hour, but avoid the temptation to over-refresh the page before then, as Walmart’s automated bot protection can temporarily lock you out and slow your progress. Once the “Add to Cart” button appears, click on it to join the online queue.
To increase your chances, try securing a console in a desktop browser and the Walmart mobile app at the same time, which can often load faster than its desktop counterpart. The lucky ones who get through the queue have 10 minutes to check out. Make sure to be persistent and don’t give up until the offers are sold out, as Walmart usually pushes more stock every 10 minutes.
Hopefully, many of you can get your hands on a console in the restock tomorrow. We always keep track of console availability, even if some are getting easier very slowly, and you can subscribe to our Verge Deals newsletter for the latest savings on gaming and gadgets straight to your inbox.
Recommended accessories and games for PlayStation 5
It’s nice to buy a console without being limited to a giant bundle, full of games and accessories you might not want. Here are some picks you might really like, including games exclusive to PS5.
Horizon Forbidden West
The new installment of Guerrilla Games in the Horizon series, Horizon Forbidden West, puts you back in control of Aloy to traverse a vast open world full of machine animals and elaborate missions. The physical version of the PS4 is $10 cheaper than the PS5 version and can be upgraded for free.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
The latest adventure from Insomniac Games in the Ratchet & Clank series is the funniest entry yet. It’s also the first to launch on PS5, and it’s a showcase for stunning graphics as well as fast loading speeds.
Return
Housemarque’s latest title is a villainous third-person shooter that puts you in the shoes of Selene, an astronaut tormented by a seemingly never-ending time loop.
Sony Pulse 3D headset
Sony’s proprietary wireless gaming headset is made to showcase the 3D audio effect of the PS5 and will work on the PS4 too.
Midnight Black DualSense Controller
The midnight black DualSense controller has the same hardware as the original – haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, etc. – just with a two-tone black design reminiscent of PS2, PS3 and PS4 consoles.
