The recent announcement of a price hike for the PlayStation 5 has led to a remarkable surge in the sales of Xbox Series X in Japan.

According to reports from Automaton, the Xbox Series X has seen a significant increase in sales on Yodobashi, one of Japan’s major retailers. The console has climbed to the 8th position in the games and consoles charts, a remarkable feat considering its absence from the top 100 just a day ago. With the impending price increase for the PS5, the Xbox Series X now presents a more attractive option as it comes in at a price point $100 lower than its competitor.

Furthermore, acquiring a PlayStation 5 in Japan has become increasingly challenging, as the pre-hike stock has been swiftly depleted across most retail outlets. This shift in consumer behavior marks a positive turn of events for Microsoft, especially as they prepare to launch updated versions of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, including a 2TB SSD-equipped Series X All-Digital model.

Conversely, the negative sentiment surrounding the PlayStation 5 arrives at an inopportune moment for Sony, as rumors circulate about an impending announcement for the PlayStation 5 Pro in the near future. Despite the promised enhancements in specifications and the PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution upscaler, the allure of exclusive titles like Monster Hunter Wilds may not be sufficient to sway Japanese consumers into investing more in a PS5, especially when these games are also available on the Xbox Series X.

This shifting landscape in the gaming market underscores the significance of pricing and accessibility in driving consumer preferences and purchase decisions.