Sony’s PlayStation 5 officially launches in China, but consumers fear supplies running out, games may face censorship

Sony Corp announced the much-anticipated mainland China launch of the PlayStation 5 video game console on Thursday, weeks after the country’s latest crackdown on smuggled consoles that allowed gamers to play titles not officially available in the country.

The two versions of the PS5, with and without an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc drive, retail for 3,899 yuan (US$600) and 3,099 yuan, respectively, according to the company. Pre-orders started on Thursday and the console will be available from May 15, six months behind its launch in other parts of the world, including the US, Japan and Hong Kong, where it officially sells for nearly US$100 less but low stock has kept resale prices much higher.