Once upon a time, borrowing a PlayStation from a friend or cousin was the ultimate weekend flex. Now, Japan is taking that nostalgia and turning it into a business model — one that’s booming.
Japanese rental chain Geo is making headlines for a surprising trend: PS5 rentals. According to the company, nearly 80% of their PlayStation 5 stock is out on rent. The idea? Instead of dropping a full 80,000 yen (about ₹48,000), gamers can now rent a PS5 for a week for just 980 yen — that’s around ₹600.
Why it works
Let’s be honest — consoles are expensive. Add inflation, weakening currencies, and rising tech prices, and the barrier to entry keeps growing. Renting offers a low-risk, low-cost way to experience premium gaming. And for casual players who just want to finish a title or test out next-gen features, it’s the perfect fix.
Geo, which once focused on CDs and DVDs, expanded into console rentals when physical media started dying out. Turns out, that pivot was exactly what Japanese gamers needed.
Should India follow?
The Indian market is no stranger to price hikes — and a PlayStation is still a luxury item for many. But a rental model like this? It could flip the script.
Imagine renting a PS5 for the weekend, diving into Spider-Man 2 or God of War, and returning it by Monday — no EMIs, no commitment. Just pure, affordable gaming.
The bottom line
In a world where digital access is everything and ownership is optional, Japan’s console rental model might just be the future — and not just for retro nostalgia.
