SUP3R5 cancels all PS2-themed PS5 orders after receiving "credible threats" to team's safety

(Image credit: Sony/SUP3R5)

Update: SUP3R5 has canceled all orders of its custom retro-themed PS5, issuing full refunds to all who successfully placed an order. According to a statement from the company, employees at SUP3R5 had been receiving threats the day orders went live, causing the team to shut down the operation and begin issuing refunds for orders.

In a statement posted from the company's Twitter account (via TechRadar), SUP3R5 explained the decision without offering the specifics of the threats: "Last night, our team began receiving credible threats to their safety. We take these threats seriously. We aren't willing to risk the safety and well-being of our team, or the potential impact this would bring on your order."

The official SUP3R5 Twitter account has since been deleted, while the company's website still has a form on the homepage where you can sign up for notifications about the custom PS5. However, if you try visiting the specific product pages for the PS5 and DualSense controller, you'll get an error message redirecting you to the homepage. There's also a contact form where you can reach out to SUP3R5 directly.

Like most beautiful things, this PS2-inspired custom PS5 won't be long for this world when it goes on sale later this week.

SUP3R5 is letting loose a grand total of 304 "retro-inspired" PS5s on Friday, January 8 at exactly 12pm PST / 3pm EST / 8pm GMT. The consoles ship internationally, though you'll pay more for shipping if you live outside of the US. Of course, if you're shelling out for a marked-up custom PS5 already, you probably aren't concerned with the shipping costs.

You can get the PS2-themed PS5 with disk drive and DualSense controller for $649 (compared to $499 retail), and that comes with colorized logo inserts, or if you just want the controller you can get the custom DualSense alone for $99 ($70 retail). The consoles should ship late Spring 2021, but SUP3R5 says that timing "may shift based on availability."

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A couple important things to note: Since the builders will need to completely disassemble the DualSense, your manufacturer's warranty will be voided in the customization process. The PS5 itself won't be disassembled, so you'll keep the console warranty. SUP3R5 doesn't offer its own warranty, but assures customers it'll do its best to sort out "functional or cosmetic issues related to the retro conversion."

If you're worried those 300 precious PS2-themed PS5s are going to get devoured by scalpers immediately, SUP3R5 says it'll take action to circumvent the issue. In addition to "security measures," console orders will be limited to one per household, while controllers are being limited to two units per household.

If you're still looking for a standard PS5, keep checking back with our guide on where to buy a PS5 in 2021.

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.