New PlayStation console owners have launched a new class-action lawsuit in an effort to claim refunds after Sony initiated price increases for the PS5 in response to tariffs last year.
The Walker et al v. Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California May 6, 2026 (via Engadget). Plaintiffs Amorey Walker and Bryce Foster-Quarles claim consumers are entitled to compensation after the console manufacturer allegedly received a “substantial windfall” following tariff policy enacted by U.S. President Donald Trump last year.
Sony announced it would raise the price of the standard PS5, as well as its Digital and Pro variants, by $50 in August 2025. It directly mentioned the “challenging economic environment” at the time, alluding to Trump’s tariffs affecting its business. The tariffs were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February 2026, raising the question of refunds for companies that had been impacted.
The class-action suit hinges on the belief that a “double recovery windfall” that Sony is set to receive should be passed on to the everyday buyer who purchased PS5s post-price-hike. It would potentially affect gamers who purchased price-hiked PlayStation hardware following the initial August increases.
Walker et al v. Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC is not dissimilar to a case filed against Nintendo just last month. The class-action lawsuit in question was filed by Gregory Hoffert and Prashant Sharan and seeks to ensure any refunds received by Nintendo are returned to customers after Nintendo Switch accessories were hit with price increases in April 2025.
Sony announced it would be increasing the price of its PlayStation Plus subscription service earlier today. Meanwhile, some fans of Sony’s gaming branch may be entitled to payments following news related to a PSN lawsuit from earlier this month.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
