Sony is limiting access to the PS5 Pro in Japan by requiring prospective buyers to prove they have spent at least 60 hours playing on existing PlayStation hardware.

The requirement is part of Sony’s effort to prioritize established PlayStation users when demand exceeds the available supply of its higher-end console.

Customers seeking to purchase the PS5 Pro must have at least 60 hours of verified PlayStation playtime to qualify for the purchase process. The requirement is designed to distinguish regular players from casual buyers and resellers.

If more eligible customers apply than Sony has consoles available, the company will use a lottery to determine which applicants are allowed to complete their purchases.

The policy applies specifically to the Japanese market, where demand for PlayStation hardware has remained strong and limited supplies have contributed to competition among buyers.

Sony’s approach also targets the secondary market, where popular gaming hardware can be purchased in bulk and resold at higher prices. Requiring a history of actual gameplay makes it more difficult for customers who primarily intend to resell the console to qualify.

The PS5 Pro is Sony’s premium version of the PlayStation 5, offering upgraded graphics performance and other hardware improvements over the standard PS5.

Rather than relying solely on a first-come, first-served system, Sony is using existing customer activity and a lottery to determine who gets access when inventory is limited.

Sony has not announced the same 60-hour requirement for customers in other markets, making the Japanese policy a market-specific approach to managing demand for the upgraded console.

The move reflects a broader challenge for console makers as they attempt to balance limited inventory, strong demand and concerns that highly sought-after hardware will be purchased primarily for resale rather than by consumers who intend to use it.