Sony has limited purchases of its external disc drive for PlayStation 5 to just one unit per customer in its official store, citing a surge in demand. The spike followed Sony’s announcement that after January 1, 2028, new PS5 games will no longer be released on physical discs.
The restriction applies to the removable disc drive compatible with the PS5 Digital Edition and the upcoming PS5 Pro. In the US Sony store, the accessory sells for $80. Until recently, it wasn’t hard to find, but the new purchasing limit confirms that demand has jumped sharply.
Fans reacted predictably to the news. Sony reassured that previously purchased disc versions of games will remain playable even after the shift away from new physical releases. The company also plans to continue producing discs for older titles for a while, but new games will no longer launch in disc format.
The disc drive gained attention after Sony shifted its hardware approach. The PS5 Pro launched without a built-in disc drive, offering the removable drive as a separate accessory. This strategy echoes the 2023 PS5 redesign, where the disc drive became a modular component rather than a fixed part of the console.
This move signals a notable reversal for the gaming industry. For years, publishers pushed players toward digital sales, but the looming end of new disc releases has ironically boosted interest in physical media. If demand holds steady, Sony could find that this accessory, once optional, turns into an essential purchase for many gamers.