PlayStation 5 rental is an unexpected hit in Japan: the service attracts a large number of gamers

Japan's PlayStation 5 market is showing remarkable success thanks to console rentals rather than sales. Japanese retailer GEO told IT Media News that the PS5 rental service has proved to be "more popular" than the company expected.

Here's What We Know

GEO launched the PS5 rental service at the start of the console's sales, when the hardware shortage was felt in all markets. Since then, the company has expanded its operations, offering rentals through 400 of its stores across the country. At GEO, the PS5 console can be rented for 8 days for 980 yen (approximately USD 6) or for 15 days for 1780 yen (approximately USD 12).

The retailer also noted that the release of certain games further fuels the popularity of the service. GEO highlighted the release of Monster Hunter Wilds as a factor in the recent surge in demand. For context, Monster Hunter has traditionally been an extremely popular franchise in Japan.

According to GEO, while video game rentals in Japan may be on the decline, console rentals are doing quite well.

Sony may have noticed the popularity of the rental service in Japan when it announced in March that it had partnered with UK-based Raylo to offer PS5 rentals in the UK. Through Raylo, the PS5 Slim model with a disc drive can be rented for £12 per month. The Digital Edition PS5 with two controllers is also available for £14 per month, and the PS5 Pro can be rented for £19 per month.

Raylo's rental service also includes Flex programmes, which allow players to pay a monthly rental fee for the console while retaining the freedom to cancel the lease at any time. In addition, players can choose to rent their console for a longer fixed term of 12, 24 or 36 months. Accessories for the PS5 are also available through Raylo, from the DualSense controller to the PlayStation VR2 and even the PlayStation Portal.

It seems that console rental is becoming an interesting alternative for gamers who are not ready to pay a significant amount of money for a PS5 right away, especially as it has become more expensive. The success of this model in Japan may hint at the potential popularity of similar services in other regions of the world.

Source: IT Media