Arguably the PS5 Pro‘s biggest obstacle was its large price tag. Selling for $699.99 here in the U.S., that is a big ask for a mid generation upgrade. However, if Japan sales are any indication, it seems gamers see the value of the new and improved console.

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PS5 Pro is a powerful refresh of the base PS5 hardware. It's the best way to experience the PS5's large library of must-play games and the current pinnacle of console gaming. However, the eye-watering $699 price tag makes it a machine that will only appeal to the most dedicated gamers.

Sony’s PS5 Pro, a $700 mid-gen upgrade of the PlayStation 5, launches later this week. And ahead of its official launch, Sony has sent over a PS5 Pro for us to play with and poke at. And while I can’t say anything (yet) about how games play or look on the new console, I can at least walk you through opening the box.

Sony's new PS5 Pro lacks a vertical stand and a disc drive, unlike the PS5 Slim Standard model that retails for $499. If you were to add a vertical stand and a disc drive to the PS5 Pro to fairly compare it to the PS5 Slim Standard, its price jumps up to $810 — over $300 more than the PS5 Slim Standard.