TORONTO – Canadian gamers looking to get their hands on the latest console from Sony will be facing price hikes at the register – if they manage to find a retail location with stock, that is.
Sony confirmed over the weekend that the price of the recently released PlayStation 4 console would be going up $50 for Canadian consumers, raising the price tag to between CAD$399 and $449.
But the console itself isn’t the only product getting more expensive.
Sony has also raised the price of the DualShock 4 controller and the PlayStation Camera from CAD$59.99 to $64.99. Two upcoming game releases will also cost Canadians ten dollars more than U.S. gamers.
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When PlayStation 4 was released in Canada in November, the price was on par with the U.S.
Global News asked Sony whether the price changes were in response to the weakening Canadian dollar.
“To respond to changes in the market environment, the price of PlayStation 4 will be revised from CAD $399.99 to $449.99 MSRP, and DUALSHOCK 4/PlayStation Camera will be revised to $64.99 MSRP as of March 15, 2014,” Sony responded in an emailed statement.
“PS4 continues to offer a competitive pricing along with an expansive gaming ecosystem that is centered on gamers. We are extremely grateful for the passion of PlayStation fans and thank them for their continued support.”
Though the price change was to take place over the weekend, Sony’s Canadian website still listed the PlayStation 4 at the previous price of CAD$399.99 Monday. The DualShock controller and PlayStation Camera were also listed at the old prices online.
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Other retailers that carry the console, such as Best Buy and Future Shop, show the price with the $50 increase.
Regardless, the console is listed as “sold out” on each website.
The PlayStation 4 has remained hard to get for most consumers since its release.
In December, Global News called a handful of Greater Toronto Area stores to see if there was any chance of getting a PS4 before Christmas. While all stores were sold out at the time, we received mixed opinions as to whether there was a shot at getting one before the New Year.
On Monday Global News called four EB Games locations, four Future Shop locations, and four Best Buy locations around the GTA to see whether stock levels were any better.
In short, the answer is no.
All of the stores said they were sold out of PS4s and did not have an estimate as to when stock would become available.
We then contacted five GTA-based Sony Store locations – all of which were sold out of PS4s.
As of February Sony reported more than 5.3 million PS4 consoles had been sold worldwide.
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