Game on! Save $50 on the latest PlayStation 5 consoles at Walmart's big sale

Attention gamers and the people who gift them: A newer, svelter version of the PlayStation 5 (known as the PS5 Slim) is $50 off at Walmart. Back when PS5 and the latest Xbox were first released in 2020, Sony's PlayStation took a commanding lead over its Microsoft rival because of the quality of its exclusive games — The Last of Us, God of War, Marvel's Spider-Man — which aren't available on the Xbox. But high prices and stock shortages kept the PS5 out of reach for many gamers, even as the years ticked by.

Right now, there are newer, more specialized versions of the PS5 becoming available: the PS5 Pro will offer even better graphics when it hits this November, but it costs a whopping $700. The PS5 30th Anniversary Edition offers a retro gray color scheme, but it's already sold out, and the PS5 Slim digital-only console was on for $399, down from $450, but it's sold out right now, too. You can still save, however, as the otherwise identical PS5 Slim disc console version that adds a disc drive is on for $449 (down from $499) during Walmart Holiday Deals days. (The mega-retailer has all kinds of goodies on sale, and if you're looking for incredible tech deals, you're really in luck.) But note: The sale ends Sunday, Oct. 13 and we expect more sellouts well before then.

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Disc Console

$449$499Save $50

Gamers with a library of PS4 game titles that work with the PS5 may not be ready to size down their collection. This console is identical to the PS5 Slim except that it has a disc drive so you can load physical discs as well as download digital titles. You get the same 1TB storage, graphics, fast processing, stunning images and more, but you don’t have to give all your old games to a friend or sell them at the next garage sale. Yahoo reviewed the standard PS5 when it first launched in 2020 and loved the adaptive trigger on the DualSense controller, the better organization in the interface and the speed and graphics improvements. “The PS5 … is more than worth it,” our reviewer said.

$449 at Walmart

Remember when the Sony PlayStation 5 first came out and no one could get their hands on one? So many people were disappointed about it. Saturday Night Live even made a hilarious holiday sketch about the shortage, starring Pete Davidson. Thankfully, now you can get the newer PS5 Slim much more easily. And this week, during the Walmart Holiday Deal event, it's marked down by $50, selling for a sweet price of $449.

If you don't need the disc drive, you can pay that same amount for the PS5 Slim with no disc in a bundle that includes NBA 2K25. It's a great deal if that’s a game you have on your list to buy anyway. Considering NBA 2K25 is $65 on its own, you’re saving even more with this bundle.

If you already own the PS4, we’ll be frank with you: you’re in desperate need of an upgrade. It’s more than a decade old! The original PS5 launched in November 2020, and the PS5 Slim debuted in October 2023, making it the most recent and powerful gaming console in Sony’s line. You’ll notice significant upgrades over the PS4. It’s faster, has more memory, and will deliver far more details in games so you see every nuance, every enemy creeping around the corner or colors and elements in a world-building game. If you’re buying new, it’s the obvious choice between the two.

When comparing the PS5 Slim to the original PS5, which is going on four years old now, the PS5 Slim is sleeker, slimmer and has the option to get it with or without a disc drive. So you have the option to go fully digital, stick with the old physical disc method, or use a combination of both with the version that has a disc drive. And yes, if you already have a library of downloadable PS4 games, nearly all of them will work on the PS5. (If you have a bunch of old discs, this sale edition is the one you want to buy.)

The Sony PS5 Slim has more than 2,500 reviews on Walmart with an impressive 4.7-star overall rating.

Pros 👍

One buyer says it's "amazing how fast it [is]" when comparing it to their PS4. "I can't believe it. It's awesome!"

Another calls the Sony PS5 an “amazing gaming console” and adds that they “love going back to some of my favorites but seeing them in 60Hz. Getting better graphics on older games is a whole new experience.”

A happy shopper says they regret hesitating so long to buy one. "Everything is so clear, controller charges fast, definitely a 10/10."

Others praise the “improved graphics” that are a “definite upgrade,” the ease of set-up, slim footprint, and quiet fan noise. “I’m a big Cyberpunk 2077 fan,” writes one gamer, “and the difference in gameplay and looks are phenomenal. What a huge difference. If you’re swapping from the PS4, you’re going to love it.”

“Just go for the best first rather than skating around more affordable or older video game systems and you won’t be disappointed,” advises one reviewer. “You’ll save yourself time and money in the long run.”

Cons 👎

Some missed the details and purchased the wrong version, not realizing one doesn’t come with a disc drive and one does. "I was a smidgen disappointed that it's not the disc console, but that's on me. I should have checked for that. I figured they were all the same type and all came with the disc loader."

Another purchased this disc version and loves the option to play physical discs but wishes it wasn't so much more expensive (based on the regular price before the deal.)

One buyer recommends buying additional storage even though this provides more than the previous generation “Games just take up too much storage nowadays,” they write. “It still will not be enough for many people.”

With a Walmart+ membership, you get early access to deals like this one, free delivery, and even a free subscription to Paramount+, which you can access right from the PS5 Slim. With a 30-day free trial, you can have this console ordered and shipped to your door in days.

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.