Sony’s new PS5 announces the end of the disc drive

Today might be the beginning of the end of game console disc drives. Sony finally announced the $699.99 PS5 Pro, and while it looks to be an impressive machine, it’s the first PlayStation console that require If you want to play physical games you’ll need to purchase the console and a separate disc drive.

Sony has offered disc-free variants before, and has taken a step in this direction with the PS5 “Slim”, which you can buy with a separate disc drive already built in or add a disc drive later. PS5 ProYou Will have to get a different PS5 disc driveWhether that means you buy it for $79.99 or swap the disc drive from a slim PS5 to a PS5 Pro.

It looks like Sony and Microsoft are exploring the possibility of going fully digital for the PlayStation 6 and the next-generation Xbox – or at least offering disc drives separately. It’s like Apple has removed the disc drive all over again.

I have mixed feelings about this potential change to a device that doesn’t have a disc drive. I long ago moved to a completely digital library for my games, both because I like switching games without changing discs and because I don’t have a lot of room in my house to keep physical cases. It’s convenient!

We’ll have to wait a few years, possibly until the next full console generation, to see how far Sony and Microsoft are willing to go down the discless path. At least for Xbox, says Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer Recently said The company’s strategy “is not dependent on people going completely digital” and “getting rid of physical” is “not a strategic thing for us.” On the other hand, Spencer said that “the majority” of his customers are buying games digitally, so it may just be a matter of time.

But for now, if you want to buy Sony’s ultimate PlayStation, the PS5 Pro, and play games on disc? Just stick to your budget. The disc drive retails for $79.99.