PS Plus Subscription Price Increases, Yet Again

Just when we were concerned about the potential PlayStation 5 price hike due to U.S. tariffs, Sony has confirmed that the PlayStation Plus prices are increasing again, but this time in Australia and 15 countries across Latin America. Starting April 16, 2025, all PS Plus tiers in these regions will see notable price increases. Here's a list of the new pricing for Australia:

• PS Plus Essential (12 months): AUD 102
• PS Plus Extra (12 months): AUD 187
• PS Plus Deluxe (12 months): AUD 214

At first glance, these numbers might feel heavy on the wallet. But to put it in some context, even at the increased pricing, a 12-month Deluxe subscription in Australia comes out to around US$133, which is still cheaper than what gamers pay for PS Plus Premium in the U.S.

However, there's a bit of a catch that PS Plus Deluxe (offered in regions without cloud streaming) lacks some features available in Premium, like streaming PS3 titles. So, Aussie gamers are paying more than before and arguably still getting less than their international competitors.

Latin America is also experiencing an increase in prices. The same price hike will be put across Latin America on April 16, hitting countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and others. According to Sony, it is due to "global market conditions", probably indicated the Japanese stock market situation that crumbled last week.

Here's a quick look at some of the updated annual pricing (USD equivalents): PS Plus Essential (12 months): $64.99. PS Plus Extra (12 months): $107.99. PS Plus Deluxe (12 months): $124.99. There's an increase of $10 to $18, a noticeable jump, especially for long-time subscribers. These new rates will apply to both new subscribers and existing members once their next billing cycle starts again.

Is It Really Worth It? It's interesting to note that this announcement comes with Sony's release of new games, such as Hogwarts Legacy, to the PS Plus Extra and Premium libraries. It's questionable if that reduces the impact of the price increase.

All of this ultimately goes down to value. Go ahead and purchase the games you truly want to play if you think the price is justified. Enjoy the service. However, there's no harm in leaving if it seems too costly or no longer matches what you're getting out of it. The question arises: Are these price hikes justified?