PS5 UK stock – live: Could Smyths Toys restock the elusive console next?

LIVE – Updated at 09:30

UPDATE: The PS5 could restock at Smyths Toys in the coming days. Read on for more information.

Spring has sprung, yet it’s still undeniably difficult to buy a PS5. What’s new? It has now been well over a year since its launch, yet we’re all still struggling to find a console thanks to the ongoing global semiconductor shortage sparked by the coronavirus pandemic.

That said, things are certainly looking up this March after having faced a dire start to 2022 with the worst two months for drops on record in January and February. So far this month, we’ve seen restocks from Amazon, EE, Hamleys, ShopTo, PlayStation Direct, Very, Littlewoods, AO, John Lewis & Partners (finally), Smyths Toys, Game – thrice, Currys and Argos.

Our liveblog is here to get you one of Sony’s elusive next-gen consoles, as well as provide you with the details on the best games and accessories to grab alongside your new machine. If you want to find out which online retailers will be the first to restock, then keep scrolling to receive updates as they happen.

Read more:

Check stock from UK PS5 retailers below:

PS5 stock updates UK

• Who could restock the PS5 in the coming days?
• Could Smyths Toys restock the PS5 soon?

Could Smyths Toys restock the PS5 soon?

09:13 , Alex Lee

At the start of the month, Smyths Toys had an online click and collect restock of the disc edition PS5 console, but it could be about to have another one if that little “TBC” message on its website is anything to go by (which it isn’t always).

The disc edition PS5 console (£449.99, Smythstoys.com) listing page used to say “TBC 2022”, but now says “March 2022”, hinting that a disc restock could take place very soon. We have seen it drop every day of the week, so it’s a tricky one to predict.

Who could restock the PS5 in the coming days?

08:50 , Alex Lee

Gooooood morning PS5 hunters and happy Friday! It’s been an unexpectedly busy week this week for PS5 restocks, with us finally seeing a drop at Asda, and extra ones from Game and Amazon taking place, but who could drop next?

In the coming days, we’re hoping to see another restock from Smyths Toys to help close us out, and maybe even another drop from AO . Want all the latest intel? Follow along with our liveblog this morning and we’ll reveal all.

Live blog signing off

Thursday 24 March 2022 17:32 , Alistair Charlton

And just like that, another day of PS5 hunting comes to a close. We saw a couple of lightning-quick restocks at Asda this morning, along with a more substantial offering from Game, complete with bundles and even the PS5 disc edition on its own. Hopefully we’ll see some more PS5 drops in the coming few days.

Our money is on Smyths Toys, whose website says the PS5 disc edition will be restocked before the end of this month, so by next Thursday at the very latest.

Dying Light 2 review

Thursday 24 March 2022 16:30 , Alistair Charlton

It’s been a busy start to 2022 for game releases, with Horizon Forbidden West, Elden Ring and Gran Turismo 7, and so it’s the perfect time to get your hands on a PS5.

Dying Light 2 (£54.99, Currys.co.uk) was another big release that came out earlier this year, combining parkour with the survival-horror genre.

In our review, we said: “Dying Light 2 is at its best when it has the freedom to explore its environments.

“Running through, around and over the city’s inhabitants is the kind of gameplay that would bring players back to visit after the first roll of the credits but when that freedom of movement is taken away is when those cracks start to show. While only occasionally mired by technical issues and stopgaps, Dying Light 2 makes confident attempts to breathe life into a tired genre.”

Read our review of Dying Light 2 in full to find out more.

Dying Light 2 review: Parkour survival horror breathes new life into zombie games

Ghostwire: Tokyo preview

Thursday 24 March 2022 16:00 , Alistair Charlton

A big console exclusive we’re excited about for the PS5 is Ghostwire: Tokyo, from Tango Gameworks and Bethesda.

In Ghostwire: Tokyo, a paranormal event causes the citizens of the Japanese city to disappear in a mysterious fog and otherworldly spirits to invade. Players will explore the abandoned streets of Japan’s capital as they fight these paranormal threats using a blend of psychic abilities and conjured weaponry.

The game has been given an official release date of 25 March 2022, which is tomorrow. Read everything we saw in our sneak peek of Ghostwire: Tokyo.

New details about Playstation exclusive Ghostwire: Tokyo revealed

Horizon Forbidden West review for the PS5

Thursday 24 March 2022 15:30 , Alistair Charlton

Horizon Forbidden West is the follow up to 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn and will follow hunter Aloy on her journey across the west coast of an apocalyptic United States.

We absolutely loved our time with the game. Our reviewer said: “In Horizon Forbidden West, Guerilla Games has developed its post-apocalyptic marriage of technology and nature to craft a beautifully realised vision of a world desperate for rebirth.

“The story will take new players to unexpected and breathtaking places, and fans of Horizon Zero Dawn will have plenty of their questions answered.

“While Horizon Forbidden West takes great leaps in its visual and story presentation, it stays the path with its gameplay, making small but notable additions that improve the experience.

“Not much has changed since Zero Dawn, but when that gameplay revolves around hunting mechanical dinosaurs, why would you want it to?”

Read our full review of Horizon Forbidden West to find out more.

Horizon Forbidden West is one of the best-looking PS5 games yet

Lego Star Wars PS5 release date

Thursday 24 March 2022 15:00 , Alistair Charlton

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga was first announced all the way back in 2019 to coincide with the release of the upcoming Rise of Skywalker film, but as we’ve come to expect from video games these days, due to frequent delays it was pushed back to “spring 2022”.

But thankfully, on 20 January this year, a new trailer was released, confirming that Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will arrive on 5 April 2022.

Want to know more? Have a read of our explainer below.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga release date and characters revealed

Read our review of the Nintendo Switch OLED

Thursday 24 March 2022 14:30 , Alistair Charlton

If handheld gaming is more your thing then check out our review of the Nintendo Switch OLED. The console features an OLED display for the first time, which is larger than before and produces punchier colours and deeper blacks. There’s also a redesigned kickstand and double the internal storage of its predecessor.

Our reviewer said of the £309.99 console: “The larger display is fantastic and playing games in handheld mode is an absolute joy. The kickstand feels so solid and makes us never want to look at that little toggle on the back of the original Switch ever again…this is absolutely the best version of the console yet.”

Nintendo Switch OLED review: The best version of the console yet

Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter

Thursday 24 March 2022 14:00 , Alistair Charlton

Have we helped you get a PS5? Want more shopping insights? Why not sign up to the free IndyBest newsletter, where you can access the best deals and round-ups of the week’s must-have products chosen by IndyBest experts.

Dropping into your inbox every Friday morning, the handy digest features items from our tried and tested reviews by pros in the field – helping you make the most informed choice with your hard-earned cash.

Get the IndyBest newsletter and access to all of The Independent’s other newsletters now. You won’t regret it.

When will Amazon have another PS5 restock?

Thursday 24 March 2022 13:30 , Alistair Charlton

You might have missed it, but Amazon had a very brief PS5 restock yesterday morning (23 March). Both versions of the console were available for just a few minutes at around 8:30am.

It isn’t immediately clear when Amazon will have more stock available, but we wouldn’t hold our breath for more consoles before April. Including today, the retailer has had two restocks in March, but had just one in February and one in January. Things are getting better, but only slowly…

New PS5 and PS4 software updated this week

Thursday 24 March 2022 13:00 , Alistair Charlton

A shiny new software update rolled out yesterday (23 March) for both the PS4 and PS5. Announced in a post on the official PlayStation blog, the update includes fan-requested features, including the ability to create of join open and closed parties on both generations of console.

Also, the PS5 is being treated to user interface enhancements to the Game Base and Trophy cards, plus accessibility features like mono audio for headphones. PS5 players with accounts registered in the UK or US will be able to test out a preview of a new feature called Voice Command. Thus lets gamers find and open games, apps and settings, as well as control media playback, with their voice.

The blog post also said how variable refresh rate for the PS5 is a feature that’s on the horizon, enhancing the visual performance of the console.

How big is the PS5?

Thursday 24 March 2022 12:30 , Alistair Charlton

Not as strange a question as you might think, because the PS5 is massive. It’s often an easy joke to say how big the next generation of game consoles are, ever since the chunky original Xbox arrived, followed by the even bigger PS4.

But, while the Xbox series X is also rather large, it’s the PS5 that is least likely to fit under your television. The digital edition is slightly slimmer, due to not having a disc drive, but both consoles are equally tall when stood on end.

They are 390mm tall and 260mm deep, while the disc edition is 104mm thick and the digital edition is 92mm. Both consoles are intended to be stood upright, but also come with a plastic stand to help them rest on their side – likely the only way most buyers will fit the console under their TV.

Can you buy a PS5 from Sony?

Thursday 24 March 2022 12:00 , Alistair Charlton

Yes, but Sony’s own online store, called PlayStation Direct, currently has no stock for either the PS5 disc edition or PS5 digital edition. The store first opened its doors in the UK in November and had loads of restocks through December. But since the new year we have only seen restocks at PS Direct on 17 January, 23 February and 8 March. If this pattern continues, we expect to see another drop at some point in April.

What’s the difference between the two models of PS5?

Thursday 24 March 2022 11:40 , Alistair Charlton

Sony sells two versions of the PS5. These are known as the disc edition and the digital edition. They have the same performance, design and technical specifications, but the digital edition does not have a disc drive. This means games can only be played by downloading them, and obviously there’s no way to play DVDs or Blu-ray movies.

The digital edition is also cheaper, at £359.99 compared to £449.99 for the disc edition.

PS5 console also available on its own at Game

Thursday 24 March 2022 11:03 , Alistair Charlton

As well as bundles with Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Forbidden West and Spider-Man, Game is also currently selling the PS5 disc edition on its own, and at the regular retail price of £449.99. The console can be pre-ordered now, ahead of being released on 30 March.

Buy now at Game

Can you buy a PS5 on the high street?

Thursday 24 March 2022 11:00 , Alistair Charlton

Yes and no. Some shops have occasional PS5 stock available for walk-in customers to buy, but there have been very few consoles available so far this year. Your best options are Game and Smyths. The former has a Twitter account for each of its shops, used to tweet about when PS5 (and Xbox series X) stock becomes available. For your best chance of spotting a console at your local store, use this Twitter list to view every tweet from all of Game’s shops across the UK.

As for Smyths Toys, the retailer has a tool on its website for checking stock at all of its stores, We occasionally see the odd console crop up here, but for now there’s no PS5 stock anywhere in the UK.

PS5 bundles are now in stock at Game

Thursday 24 March 2022 10:54 , Alistair Charlton

Game has just added a bunch of PS5 bundles to its website. There’s currently a queueing system in place, so you’ll have to be patient when you hit the link. Once you’re into the site you’ll see a whole range of bundles spanning from £519.98 to £684.94. They are all available to pre-order now, with a release date scheduled for 30 March.

Buy now at Game

Might John Lewis have a PS5 restock this month?

Thursday 24 March 2022 10:20 , Alistair Charlton

John Lewis is another retailer with a poor track record for PS5 restocks. We saw a handful of restocks through the autumn of 2021, then one in early November, one in late-December, then nothing until John Lewis’s most recent PS5 restock, on 9 March. This makes it really difficult to say when the next restock might land. Anything at all in April would be a welcome surprise.

PS5 bundle also now out of stock at Asda

Thursday 24 March 2022 10:17 , Alistair Charlton

Asda’s second restock of the day, a PS5 bundle with Gran Turismo 7 and Horizon Forbidden West, has also now sold out. The bundle was available for about 20 minutes before disappearing. Earlier this morning, Asda restocks the PS5 disc edition on its own, but that sold out even more quickly.

Is Ace Studio due a restock this month?

Thursday 24 March 2022 10:00 , Alistair Charlton

Ace Studio hasn’t had that many PS5 restocks over the months, with just one or two per month since last summer. We saw two restocks in December, then none at all in January and the most recent on 10 February. We’d love to see a PS5 restock at Ace Studio before the end of March, but it’s hard to say for now if that’ll actually happen.

Asda restocks again, this time with a PS5 game bundle

Thursday 24 March 2022 09:53 , Alistair Charlton

Asda seems to be drip-feeding us with PS5 consoles today. After the console on its own quickly sold out earlier, the supermarket now has a PS5 bundle with Horizon Forbidden West and Gran Turismo 7 in stock, priced at £579.99.

Buy now at Asda

Is Currys due a PS5 restock?

Thursday 24 March 2022 09:40 , Alistair Charlton

Despite it being the go-to electronics retailer for many shoppers, Currys hasn’t always had the best track record for PS5 restocks. The shop had loads of consoles through December, with no fewer than eight restocks that month. But since the new year we’ve seen just one restock a month for January, February and March, the last being on 16 March. Given this pattern, we’re not expecting another PS5 restock at Currys until April.

Asda restock sells out in minutes

Thursday 24 March 2022 09:26 , Alistair Charlton

In what must surely have been one of the shortest-ever restocks, Asda is now out of stock yet again. The PS5 disc edition was indeed available – we saw it with our own eyes and everything – but stock disappeared just a couple of minutes later.

When did Asda last have a restock?

Thursday 24 March 2022 09:09 , Alistair Charlton

We’re pleased to see a PS5 restock at Asda today, not least because the supermarket is selling the disc edition on its own for the regular retail price. But also because it’s been so long since Asda last had any PS5 stock at all. According to our records, the supermarket last had an online PS5 restock on 22 December, just over three months ago.

This might be a one-off, but could also be a sign of extra stock becoming available for more retailers. Hopefully we’ll see more restocks elsewhere soon too.

The PS5 is now in stock at Asda

Thursday 24 March 2022 08:49 , Alistair Charlton

We start today with some good news! The PS5 has just restocked at Asda, where the disc edition of the console is available on its own and at the regular retail price of £449.99.

Buy now at Asda

Live blog signing off

Wednesday 23 March 2022 17:34 , Alistair Charlton

That brings a rather quiet day to a close. We’d slowly been getting used to regular PS5 restocks, and for consoles to hang around for more than five minutes. But today felt like 2021 all over again, with a single Amazon restock lasting just a few minutes early this morning.

We remain hopeful that more restocks will arrive before the end of March, with Smyths Toys promising the PS5 disc edition at some point this month. As ever, we’ll be back again tomorrow with all of the latest PS5-hunting news.

How to buy an Xbox series X

Wednesday 23 March 2022 16:30 , Alistair Charlton

The Xbox series X is easier to buy than the PS5 these days. In fact, in recent weeks restocks of the Microsoft console have been fairly common, and stock has stuck around for days instead of mere hours. The IndyBest team is on hand with a comprehensive guide to all of the latest news on Xbox restocks right across the UK, updated every day.

If you’re in the market for an Xbox series X, head over to our guide for your best chance of securing a console. For gamers on a tighter budget, the cheaper, smaller and less powerful Xbox series S is in stock at Game, Very, Argos and most other retailers, ready to buy right now.

These are the best Xbox series X deals to shop today

Ghostwire: Tokyo preview

Wednesday 23 March 2022 16:00 , Alistair Charlton

A big console exclusive we’re excited about for the PS5 this month is Ghostwire: Tokyo, from Tango Gameworks and Bethesda.

In Ghostwire: Tokyo, a paranormal event causes the citizens of the Japanese city to disappear in a mysterious fog and otherworldly spirits to invade. Players will explore the abandoned streets of Japan’s capital as they fight these paranormal threats using a blend of psychic abilities and conjured weaponry.

The game has been given an official release date of 25 March 2022. Read everything we saw in our sneak peek of Ghostwire: Tokyo.

New details about Playstation exclusive Ghostwire: Tokyo revealed

Can you get a VPN on the PS5?

Wednesday 23 March 2022 15:30 , Alistair Charlton

While Sony doesn’t allow any VPN apps like NordVPN or ExpressVPN to be downloaded from the PlayStation Store (VPNs aren’t supported on the platform at all), there’s still a way to use a VPN on the PS5 if you want to stream geo-restricted content.

We’d recommend getting a VPN which has the Smart DNS feature. It’s a service provided by a number of VPN firms, including NordVPN, allowing you to spoof your location on devices that don’t have VPN support. You can read our round-up of the best VPNs for more information.

The best VPN for every type of device

Horizon Forbidden West review for the PS5

Wednesday 23 March 2022 15:00 , Alistair Charlton

Horizon Forbidden West is the follow up to 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn and will follow hunter Aloy on her journey across the west coast of an apocalyptic United States.

We absolutely loved our time with Horizon Forbidden West. Our reviewer said: “In Horizon Forbidden West, Guerilla Games has developed its post-apocalyptic marriage of technology and nature to craft a beautifully realised vision of a world desperate for rebirth.

“The story will take new players to unexpected and breathtaking places, and fans of Horizon Zero Dawn will have plenty of their questions answered.

“While Horizon Forbidden West takes great leaps in its visual and story presentation, it stays the path with its gameplay, making small but notable additions that improve the experience.

“Not much has changed since Zero Dawn, but when that gameplay revolves around hunting mechanical dinosaurs, why would you want it to?”

Read our full review of Horizon Forbidden West to find out more.

Horizon Forbidden West is one of the best-looking PS5 games yet

What you need to know about the new PS5 software update

Wednesday 23 March 2022 14:50 , Alistair Charlton

A software update for the PS5 is being rolled out today, but unfortunately it seems to have arrived during a major outage of the PlayStation Network servers. This means gamers currently aren’t able to play games that require an internet connection.

Below is everything you need to know on the software update, and the issues currently plaguing PSN.

PS Plus is down as new PS5 firmware update rolls out – what we know

How to get a PS5 voucher code from BT

Wednesday 23 March 2022 14:00 , Alistair Charlton

BT is giving its customers a helping hand when it comes to securing a PS5. Instead of throwing open the virtual doors and dealing with a stampede like other retailers, BT sends out unique voucher codes to its customers.

If you are a BT TV customer, for example, or subscribe to BT Sport, you can apply to receive a PS5 voucher code. These are emailed out sporadically and can be used to access a PS5 next time the BT store has a restock. You still have to pay the regular price, of course, but this system is a neat way of rewarding BT customers and giving them a better chance of securing a console.

Read our review of the Nintendo Switch OLED

Wednesday 23 March 2022 13:30 , Alistair Charlton

If handheld gaming is more your thing then check out our review of the Nintendo Switch OLED. The console features an OLED display for the first time, which is larger than before and produces punchier colours and deeper blacks. There’s also a redesigned kickstand and double the internal storage of its predecessor.

Our reviewer said of the £309.99 console: “The larger display is fantastic and playing games in handheld mode is an absolute joy. The kickstand feels so solid and makes us never want to look at that little toggle on the back of the original Switch ever again…this is absolutely the best version of the console yet.”

Nintendo Switch OLED review: The best version of the console yet

PSN server outages takes down Fifa, GTA and more

Wednesday 23 March 2022 13:06 , Alistair Charlton

The PlayStation Network is having some issues this afternoon, preventing PS3, PS Vita, PS4 and PS5 gamers from playing a whole host of titles, from Fifa to Grand Theft Auto. According to PSN’s own status page, “some services are experiencing issues”. These include gaming and social, PlayStation Now and the PlayStation Store.

For the gaming and social problems – which are preventing PlayStation owners from playing games that require an internet connection– the stats page says: “You might have difficulty launching games, apps or network features. We’re working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”

Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter

Wednesday 23 March 2022 13:00 , Alistair Charlton

Have we helped you get a PS5? Want more shopping insights? Why not sign up to the free IndyBest newsletter, where you can access the best deals and round-ups of the week’s must-have products chosen by IndyBest experts.

Dropping into your inbox every Friday morning, the handy digest features items from our tried and tested reviews by pros in the field – helping you make the most informed choice with your hard-earned cash.

Get the IndyBest newsletter and access to all of The Independent’s other newsletters now. You won’t regret it.