PS5 Pro Is Being Sold Through A Lottery In Japan

PS5 Pro Is So In Demand That Japan Is Using A Lottery System Published Oct 4, 2026, 2:54 PM EDT Nazmul Roosevelt is a journalist who has spent years covering the video games industry with a focus on clarity, accessibility, and genuine curiosity. He works to help players understand the people, craft, and decisions behind the entertainment they love. From game developers, to the technical artists, and communities shaping modern gaming; if you have a story worth sharing, he’s always open to hearing it... And if you happen to know anything about that secret Twin Peaks game in development, he’d especially like to talk. Sign in to your TheGamer account Sony is rolling out more PlayStation 5 Pro units in Japan, but getting one isn't as simple as pressing "pre-order." The company revealed an official lottery system for the console on its Japan‑focused online store, and players in Japan have several requirements before they can even apply. It's a different vibe from the usual rush over restocks that's been happening everywhere else in the world, and shows how seriously PlayStation is taking scalpers and resellers prior to the holiday rush, especially with a certain massive game releasing soon and surely being a major reason for the increased demand. Sony’s PS5 Pro Lottery Might Not Be The Worst Idea Scalpers Pushed Console Prices Past MSRP Japanese players have to apply through the Sony Store before October 7, and the form is basically an entry ticket since it doesn't guarantee a console. If more people apply than Sony has units, the company will run the lottery. Sony is hinting that this is almost guaranteed. To even get into the lottery, players need a Japan‑registered Sony account with at least 60 hours of PS4 or PS5 gameplay logged between September 27, 2024 and September 27, 2026. The account also has to be linked to a My Sony ID, which takes a quick sign‑in check. Each account gets one shot, and winners start getting emails on October 26. If you win, you have until November 2 to actually buy the console. Miss the deadline and your unit goes back into another round of lottery picks. Retail in Japan has dealt with aggressive resellers for years with lottery systems such as these, and the PS5 Pro is launching into a market that is expected to see shortages that frustrate those who want to be able to pay MSRP when they can. If demand spikes during the holiday season and supply stays tight, this whole thing could get even messier. The PS5 Pro is already the console people are eyeing for Grand Theft Auto 6, so interest is only going to climb. If Japan’s lottery ends up working better than the usual pre-order chaos, Sony could decide to roll it out elsewhere. For now, it is a strict setup, but maybe there is a world where this kind of system actually helps keep prices from ballooning every time scalpers get involved. Systems Released November 19, 2026 ESRB Rating Pending - Likely Mature 17+ Developer(s) Rockstar Games Publisher(s) Rockstar Games Engine Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE) Genre(s) Action, Adventure