Black Friday PS5 deals are coming over the horizon, and I'm looking forward to some particularly interesting offers in 2024. Of course, we've got a hefty mid-life refresh to contend with, but it's the PS5 Slim that could be the star of the show here. The console has had its fair share of discounts over the course of the year so far, and with that Pro model coming in hot things could get even cheaper come November.
Of course, the PS5 Pro will have some bearing on this year's sale. The new device is due for release just weeks before the holiday event begins - but I'm not holding out for much. I've been covering Black Friday gaming deals for over five years now and 2024 feels like the year of the PlayStation - though maybe not in the way Sony wants it.
Until those official discounts hit the shelves, I'm rounding up everything I expect to see from this year's Black Friday PS5 deals. Between the games that will likely see the biggest discounts and the accessories that look primed to drop their tags in the Fall, you'll find all my tips and tricks to making it through the sale.
What to expect from Black Friday PS5 deals in 2024
We'll start with the big one. The new mid-cycle refresh will hit the shelves on November 7 (PS5 Pro pre-orders went live on September 26) just over three weeks before Black Friday PS5 deals officially kick off. I'll get this out the way now, I'm not expecting any discounts on that AU$1,999.95 launch price in this year's sale. That's not the end of the story, though. After all, AU$1,999.95 is an astonishingly high RRP - Sony could well look to sweeten the deal over the holidays with free games and accessories for a limited time. If you're interested in picking up the PS5 Pro this year, I'd recommend getting in ahead of time. While the world's in a very different place to when the original console launched, we still don't know how available the refresh will be. Plus, Sony may well soften its heavy RRP at launch with its own release day bundles well before Black Friday.
The standard console should benefit from its own discounts, though. The PS5 has enjoyed some fantastic sales during 2024, dropping the AU$799 console down to AU$668 over the course of a couple of weeks in June, and again in early October.
One thing's for certain, PS5 games are going to see their own discounts. Dead Island 2, Street Fighter 6, Resident Evil 4, Dead Space Remake, Assassins' Creed: Mirage, and Hogwarts Legacy were all 2023 releases seeing record low prices over Black Friday last year so it's reasonable to assume this year's titles will get the same treatment. Astro Bot and Dragon Age: Veilguard might be a little tricky to find on sale, but Star Wars Outlaws is a recent release that's primed for savings come November if current figures are to be believed. However, I'm looking to The Last Of Us Part 2 Remastered, Skull and Bones, Street Fighter 6, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Tekken 8, Helldivers 2, and Rise of the Ronin to offer up the best value discounts overall.
The majority of these titles hit the shelves in the first half of the year, so it's well worth keeping an eye on the release slate for 2024 to see where your savings might go this Fall. However, we can also expect the usual suspects to turn up; God of War: Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, Spider-Man Miles Morales, and Sackboy: A Big Adventure are all mainstays of Black Friday PS5 deals these days.
In addition to the games, there are usually some discounts on peripherals. The official Pulse 3D headset had a brand-new lowest-ever price of just under AU$98 last year, and loads of third-party peripherals saw some massive cuts.
Early PS5 Black Friday deals in Australia
FAQ
When will Black Friday PS5 deals begin in Australia?
We know that Black Friday PS5 deals will properly kick off on in Australia on Friday, November 29, 2024. This is the day many retailers still go biggest on so expect many of the best offers to sell out quickly.
However, we've all seen this movie before: every year Black Friday deals drop earlier and earlier and it'll be wise to pay close attention to those things you have your eye on from mid-October.
Where will have the best Black Friday PS5 deals in in 2024?
All the major retailers in Australia will be going large, as they do every year. From our now-extensive experience, the below stores are the best places to look, camp on, and frequently visit to get the best Black Friday PS5 deals in Australia.
Amazon: The go-to e-tailer will have discounts on all PS5 games and gear
JB Hi-Fi: Australia's biggest tech bricks and mortar will be worth keeping an eye on
eBay Australia: Whether direct or through a third-party seller, eBay is known to go big
The Gamesmen: Brilliant Aussie independent often surprises with its deals
Dell: Dell doesn't immediately scream "PS5", but you'll find some great discounts on monitors
Kogan: From games to accessories and TVs, Kogan will be worth the watch
Should you buy a PS5 Pro on Black Friday?
That AU$1,199.95 launch price is certainly intimidating, and I'm not expecting to see any discounts on that full cost in November. However, if you are in the market for an upgrade, Black Friday might be the time to take the leap. While we might not see straight discounts, I'm expecting a couple of bundles to pop up during the holiday sales. As we saw with last year's Spider-Man 2 package these offers don't last.
Once Sony's official bundles have run their course they're unlikely to be seen again until the next major sale (likely Black Friday 2025), so if you want the best value this year I'd recommend waiting for November.
