The persistent shortage of PlayStation 5 disc drives continues to frustrate gamers, particularly those who have purchased the disc-less PS5 Pro. Since the PS5 Pro's November 2024 launch, demand for the standalone drive has far outstripped supply.

Sony's own PS Direct stores in the US and UK remain consistently out of stock, with available units disappearing rapidly. This mirrors the scalping issues seen during the initial PS5 launch in 2020. While some third-party retailers like Best Buy and Target occasionally offer drives, these are quickly snatched up, leaving many empty-handed.

The situation is exacerbated by scalpers acquiring drives to resell at inflated prices, adding significant cost to an already expensive console upgrade. This adds approximately $80 to the PS5 Pro's price when purchasing the drive from official Sony sources. The lack of a built-in drive in the PS5 Pro has been a point of contention since its September unveiling.

Sony's silence on the matter is noteworthy, particularly given their past efforts to maintain PS5 production during the pandemic. The current outlook remains bleak, with no immediate resolution in sight for those seeking a PS5 disc drive. Gamers are left with little option but to wait for increased supply to alleviate the demand and bring prices back down.

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