Outlook Of PS5 Restock, Pokemon Cards Pulled

PlayStation 5 holds on despite shortages

Sony promised a revolution with PlayStation 5, but the next-gen console's success seems to have been curtailed by stock shortages.

Despite the shortages and resultant scalper feeding frenzy, PlayStation 5 is selling better than its predecessor did: 7.8 million consoles have been sold so far, and it was the biggest console launch in US history.

Catching up: “We’re working as hard as we can to ameliorate that situation,” said Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Jim Ryan. PlayStation 5 production will most likely ramp up this summer as the global chip drought finally starts receding.

Too successful: The second wave of PlayStation 5 games is finally reaching the market, and they are starting to deliver on the console's potential. That means demand is rising too, and even though production output is steadily increasing it will probably remain hard to get hold of a PlayStation 5 for another year.

What was Disco Elysium’s previous title?

a) Flirty Barry
b) Folk Paradise
c) Tequila Sunset
d) No Truce With the Furies

The answer will be revealed at the bottom of today's issue. Join up with our community on Twitter and Facebook to discuss what the answer could be.

One ring short of a convenient shortcut

The Mega Drive/Genesis version of Sonic the Hedgehog had a shortcut through the Labyrinth Zone – but if you took it, you’d end up with just 49 rings at the end of the stage.

That meant you wouldn’t get to enjoy the bonus stage, making the shortcut a tad bittersweet. The Japanese release added an extra ring to the shortcut, along with other minor tweaks such as additional parallax scrolling layers that allowed clouds to move across the sky.

Join our community on Twitter and Facebook to discuss today's fact.

Target pulls trading cards from its shelves

US retailer Target is pulling Pokémon trading cards from sale from May 14th out of “an abundance of caution”. Thanks to an unusual surge in demand, the retailer is also pulling MLB, NFL and NBA collectable cards from the shelves.

The Pokémon Company has struggled to print enough cards to meet the sudden Pokémon frenzy, and card grading companies are struggling to service the onslaught of collectors wanting their collections rated.

Safety first: “To ensure the safety of our guests and team members, effective May 14th, MLB, NFL, NBA and Pokémon Trading Cards will no longer be sold in stores until further notice,” according to a statement from Target.

Trade ‘Em All: Rare original Pokémon cards are particularly sought after as they appear the be scarcer than usual, prompting collectors to pay outrageous prices and buying up huge amounts of stock. The limited edition cards issued for the Pokémon 25th anniversary seems to have instigated the sudden interest.

Wise Fwom Youw Gwave

According to Sega's financial report, the company is digging into its back catalogue to find properties ripe for renovation.

Sega has a pretty burgeoning repertoire of classic titles to their name, such as Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Space Channel 5, Shinobi, Virtua Fighter, Altered Beast, and House of the Dead – most of which have been moribund for well over a decade.

Wheels in motion: House of the Dead is apparently in the process of being revived, and it appears Virtua Fighter will be subject to the same necromancy. Maybe the sudden interest in Yakuza has reminded Sega of their long and proud history?

5 year plan: In addition to digging around the back yard, Sega has ambitions to put themselves firmly back on the map with a big, world-conquering game project. There is no indication what kind of game this might be though – maybe Sega is overflowing with confidence in Creative Assembly's upcoming multiplayer shooter?

• Toy Soldiers HD hitting PC and consoles in August reviving the 2010 XBLA classic
• Microsoft launch Console Purchase Pilot program allowing US Xbox Insider users to reserve Xbox Series X/S consoles
• Dragon Quest 35th Anniversary Special on May 26th will reveal what's next for the series
• Blizzard will reveal “what’s next” for Overwatch 2 in a livestream about PvP on May 20th
• Katy Perry debuts new single Electric, which is a part of the Pokémon 25th anniversary celebrations, featuring Pikachu and Pichu
• New color schemes for Sony's DualSense controllers includes Cosmic Red & Midnight Black

What was Disco Elysium’s previous title?

ANSWER: No Truce With the Furies!

Disco Elysium was one of 2019’s surprise hits, offering a unique mix of RPG and detective stories. During development, it was actually called No Truce With the Furies after a line from R. S. Thomas’ poem Reflections. The developers eventually decided to go for the slightly catchier Disco Elysium.

There’s also the small matter of furries. Furies. Furries. Easy to get them mixed up, disappointing fans of anthropomorphic animals and potentially repelling those not thusly inclined. At least the fur brigade can drown their sorrows with Blacksad: Under the Skin.

Today's issue of DailyBits was written by Gavin Herman, Nick Akerman, Erlend Grefsrud, Simon Priest, and Jamie Davey. If you have any feedback or news tips for the team, please email us!