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No universal “test” is required to buy a PlayStation 5. The reported restriction applies to a Japan-only lottery for the PS5 Pro. GamesRadar reported that Sony is limiting applications because stock is short and that applicants must have a Japan-registered PlayStation account plus at least 60 hours of recorded PS4 and/or PS5 playtime during a specified two-year period. Meeting those conditions only permits entry to the lottery; it does not guarantee a console.
What Sony is reportedly rationing
GamesRadar reported on September 28, 2026, that Sony introduced a lottery in Japan for PS5 Pro units amid a shortage. The report cites a machine-translated PlayStation Japan post, so the detailed eligibility rules should be understood as reported conditions rather than independently verified wording from an accessible official lottery notice.
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This is not a worldwide purchase test, and it is not a new requirement for buying the standard PS5. The reported program concerns PS5 Pro allocation in Japan.
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Playtime requirement
Applicants reportedly need at least 60 hours of recorded playtime on PS4, PS5, or both systems combined. GamesRadar’s account places the qualifying period from September 27, 2024, through September 27, 2026.
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Account location
The report says applicants also need a PlayStation account registered in Japan. A non-Japanese account therefore does not appear to satisfy the reported condition, even if it has more than 60 qualifying hours.
Lottery timing
- Reported application deadline: October 7, 2026.
- Reported notification date: October 26, 2026.
Those dates come from GamesRadar’s report of the machine-translated Sony announcement and may depend on the original Japanese notice’s exact terms.
Sixty hours is an eligibility threshold, not a guarantee
Qualifying applicants are entering a lottery, not receiving an automatic right to buy. GamesRadar reported that applications already exceeded the available PS5 Pro stock. Sony can therefore reject an eligible applicant simply because that person is not selected.
The playtime rule functions as an allocation filter: it favors accounts with an established PS4 or PS5 history when demand is greater than supply. It does not establish that Sony will use the same system for future launches or in other countries.
Which PS5 Pro is involved?
Sony’s product announcement describes PS5 Pro as a digital-only console. Buyers who use physical games or Ultra HD Blu-ray discs need the compatible disc drive, sold separately. The lottery does not change that hardware configuration.
Before applying or buying, check whether your games are digital. Adding the optional drive increases the total cost and requires purchasing the accessory separately; Sony’s announcement does not state that the drive is included with PS5 Pro.
PS5 Pro list prices by region
Sony Interactive Entertainment’s March 27, 2026 price notice lists the following suggested retail prices, effective April 2, 2026:
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| Market | Suggested retail price | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $899.99 | Sony’s stated list price; not a live retailer price |
| United Kingdom | £789.99 | Sony’s stated list price; not a live retailer price |
| Europe | €899.99 | Sony’s stated list price; not a live retailer price |
| Japan | ¥137,980 | Sony’s stated list price from April 2, 2026; not a live retailer price |
Sony said the revision responded to prolonged changes in the global economic environment. Retail prices, taxes, bundles and stock can differ by country and seller, so the figures above should not be read as guarantees of what a particular store charges.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this means for buyers outside Japan
If you want a standard PS5
The reported 60-hour condition does not apply to ordinary PS5 purchases. You can continue to buy a standard PS5 through the normal retailers and regional PlayStation channels, subject to local stock and pricing.
If you want PS5 Pro outside Japan
The evidence here does not establish a comparable lottery or playtime requirement in another region. Do not assume that a Japan account rule carries over to the United States, United Kingdom, Europe or elsewhere.
If you are in Japan but lack the required history
Based on the reported rules, an account without 60 qualifying hours would not meet the stated application condition. Creating a new account or playing after the stated window would not change the reported historical requirement.
How to interpret the headline accurately
“Sony is rationing PS5s” is an imprecise shorthand. The reported action is a Japan-market PS5 Pro lottery prompted by limited stock. “There’s a test” is also misleading: the condition is an account-and-playtime check, not an exam or skills assessment. The key questions are whether the account is registered in Japan, whether the recorded PS4/PS5 activity reaches 60 hours within the specified dates, and whether the applicant is selected.
Sources and verification limits
For the reported lottery conditions and dates, see GamesRadar’s September 28, 2026 report, which identifies its Sony source as machine-translated. Sony’s regional prices and April 2 effective date are in the March 27, 2026 PlayStation.Blog Japan notice. Sony’s digital-only configuration and optional disc-drive information appear in the PS5 Pro announcement dated September 11, 2024.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
