The Revealed as a celebration of the nearly three decades that have ed since the debut of the original PlayStation, the 30th Anniversary Collection rebrands the lineup of PlayStation 5 products to honor the style of the original system. The white and black contrast that defines the current range is traded out for a more muted balance of grays, while the face buttons and PS logo returning to their original multicolor style.

Although the collection is obviously somewhat self-serving, it should theoretically be something that fans could widely celebrate. Unlike some nostalgia-geared products, the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection looks fantastic without rose-colored goggles, as the classic color scheme translates surprisingly well to the system and proves the timelessness of some classic Sony design choices. Participating in that celebration comes with a caveat, however, and it's one that exemplifies both the frustration generated by many collector's items and exacerbates the current divide between Sony and many PlayStation fans.

The PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection Is Limited

A Capped Production Run Is A Frustrating Choice

The flagship of the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection lineup is the variant of the new PlayStation Pro, but as noted in the official PlayStation Blog post about the 30th Anniversary Collection, the Pro will be released in a limited run of 12,300 units. It's an identically-sized run to the 20th Anniversary PS4, which followed a similar design concept but implemented the color scheme in an arguably less enticing way. The 20th Anniversary PS4 sold out quickly upon its 2014 release, and today, PriceCharting indicates the sealed Anniversary console goes for over ten times as much as the standard 500GB PS4.

In both cases, the 12,300 unit run was chosen in honor of the original PlayStation's December 3 launch in Japan.

It makes sense that the console won't just be produced for years to come, and limiting the run grants the system greater appeal as a unique celebration and increased value for collectors. At the same time, however, it mostly feels like a gimmick to drive PS5 Pro purchases for those afraid of missing out. Loyal PlayStation fans who don't have the money ready or lose out to purchases from resellers and bots are the ones who will end up being punished, which isn't a very good way to celebrate at all.

Limited Production Runs Aren't Kind To PS5 Fans

Artificial Scarcity Doesn't Benefit The Right People

Print runs limited to specific numbers are a common tactic in the collector's market, but they rarely feel like choices with the best interests of consumers at heart. Small projects for niche physical media or unique creative works can be more feasible to get off the ground with a planned cap for the print run, so there are certainly scenarios when it's justifiable. For a company like PlayStation, however, imposing a limitation that artificial is in no way necessary to make the 30th Anniversary PS5 Pro a viable product.

The frenzy around the release of the NES Classic is a classic example of the annoyance of artificial scarcity, but compared to PlayStation's 30th Anniversary strategy, it actually provides a lesson in how to do limited runs that are at least reasonably fair. Nintendo didn't set a specific limit to how many NES Classics would be produced, and after the initial rush of reselling, the company released more products to eventually give everyone a fighting chance. The subsequent SNES Classic increased its production run, and although acquiring either at launch took effort, both were easy enough to buy with patience.

Other 30th Anniversary PS5 Products May Be Better Buys

Price & Supply Vary Across The Lineup

Of course, the PS5 Pro isn't the only part of the 30th Anniversary lineup, and considering its exorbitant price, the other options might actually be more appealing. The standard PS5 Slim is the most attractive version of the console yet, and likely still the better choice for someone investing in a PS5 for the first time. A gray PlayStation Portal is easier on the eyes than the white version, even if the design is as Frankenstein as ever, and the DualSense and DualSense Edge controllers are the purchases that would make the most sense for the average PS5 .

PlayStation hasn't provided details about how many units will be made available of the other offerings in the lineup, and it's possible that the approach to their supply will be less obnoxious. They're all limited editions, so it would be nice to have some clarification on what the overall plans will look like. The fact that the reveal came shortly after an increase in the price of DualSense controllers also stings, as nothing PlayStation has put out this generation was cheap to begin with.

As for the Pro, the bundle includes some bonuses. A gray cover for a disc drive makes it possible to attach a disc drive without ruining the look, but considering the $700 price tag of the PS5 Pro, it's still a bit insulting that there isn't a disc drive included. The bundle also boasts two controllers, a vertical stand, and minor treats like a sticker, paper clip, cable ties, and 1 of 30 possible posters. The pricing hasn't been revealed, but in light of the extras, it's safe to say that it will cost more than the standard PS5 Pro.

Considering the expense, it's possible that the 30th Anniversary Pro won't sell out as fast as the 20th Anniversary PS4, but the prevalence of reselling still stacks the odds. Looking at the whole affair alongside the slow rate of recent interesting PlayStation exclusives, it's hard not to feel like PlayStation is resting on its laurels and allowing past heights to carry the company forward. There's probably still plenty to be excited about in PlayStation's future, but as far as the 30th Anniversary Collection goes, it's a shame that things aren't being handled differently.

Sources: PlayStation Blog, PriceCharting (1, 2)