Highlights
- Sony's decision to create limited edition faceplates for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on the PS5 was a smart move.
- Sony should continue selling limited edition faceplates separately, allowing existing PS5 owners to join in on the fun without having to buy a whole new console.
- However, a larger stock would be ideal to avoid the scalping issue Marvel's Spider-Man 2's faceplates are suffering from.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is shaping up to be a massive success. Not only did the first two games in the franchise sell incredibly well, guaranteeing a big fan base for the upcoming sequel, but Sony has been wise to treat the game like a big release. Alongside a collector’s edition for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 with an impressive statue that shows Venom and the two wall-crawlers doing battle, a special console and controller have been created. Intriguingly, fans were also able to purchase the faceplates for the console separately.
Just like with the PlayStation 4, Sony is embracing special limited edition designs for the PlayStation 5, though the PS5 has one advantage over its predecessor from a cosmetic standpoint: its faceplates can be easily removed and replaced. This means that players can make their PS5s look like limited edition, game-specific consoles without needing to buy an entirely new PS5, provided Sony makes the plates purchasable separately. This is exactly what happened with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, and the level of interest in the plates should tell Sony that this format is a good one.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s Buyable Faceplates Are a Good Lesson For Sony
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s special PS5 faceplates fully embrace the theme seen on the DualSense controller and in the wider marketing for the game. While a portion of the console is red and the white Spider insignia is present, the red is being overtaken by the black Symbiote, with one side being completely shrouded in darkness. With both the Symbiote suit and Venom being hugely popular with fans of the friendly neighborhood hero, it is no surprise that the design is desirable for many.
Unfortunately for fans, limited edition consoles in the past have meant that existing players have to trade in their existing consoles if they want the special design, which is a lengthy process that some are unwilling to endure. Thankfully, Sony kept the Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 fans who already own PlayStation 5 consoles in mind when creating the game’s special hardware - or at least it tried to. The Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 faceplates were made available as a separate purchase, but unfortunately, they did not last long.
Likely a combination of Sony underestimating interest in the faceplates and the dreaded PS5 scalpers grabbing up a number of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 faceplates to resell them at absurd prices, many hoping to get their own set were left disappointed. Even those waiting to grab the plates right as they went live likely missed out, as they sold out instantly everywhere they were available, with the always-annoying scalpers posting Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 faceplates shortly after. Regardless, the situation will hopefully be a lesson for Sony.
These special faceplates turned out to be incredibly popular, and while not every game is as heavily anticipated as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, it can be assumed that most limited edition plate designs will be worth selling separately. While limited edition PS5 console bundles can and should still release, selling the plates individually alongside the controller is a consumer-friendly and profitable approach to take, as it allows those who already own a PS5 to get in on the fun.
Ghost of Tsushima 2, The Last of Us’ multiplayer game, Bend Studio’s upcoming project, and Marvel’s Wolverine are just some of the PlayStation exclusives that could receive a limited edition PS5 in the coming years. If they do, hopefully Sony remembers the hype around Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s faceplates. Not only should future limited edition PS5 consoles sell their plates separately, but having a much larger stock readily available to help combat scalpers would be a wise idea.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 launches on October 20 exclusively for PS5.
