Buzz
The PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 boast global popularity, yet not all games launch simultaneously in every region. Numerous titles remain exclusive to Japan or debut earlier in the UK or Europe compared to the US (or the other way around). Countries like Australia and Germany enforce stringent content regulations, leading to bans on many games rated 'M for Mature' in North America—though there are methods to bypass these restrictions.
Although importing a physical copy of region-locked games and playing them on your console is an option, a simpler approach is to purchase a digital version from another country’s PlayStation Store directly on your PS4 or PS5. This requires setting up a new PSN account tied to the desired country’s store, which involves some effort—tools like Google Translate might be necessary—but it’s far more convenient, cost-effective, and faster than ordering games from abroad.
Certain limitations apply: Paid DLC can only be accessed with the account used for purchase, and some online functionalities demand accounts with correct regional settings. Additionally, unless the game includes an English language option, understanding the storyline or navigating menus might be challenging (though translation guides and walkthroughs can assist for popular games). Beyond these constraints, you can fully enjoy games, demos, or even system themes purchased from Japanese or European PlayStation stores using your US account.
Set up a regional PSN account
We suggest completing this step on a desktop using Google Chrome, as the browser can auto-translate web pages, making the process significantly simpler if you're creating an account for a country with a different language. Alternatively, you can do this directly on your PS4, PS5, or smartphone.
If you’re registering on desktop or mobile: visit https://id.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/signin/#/signin?entry=%2Fsignin and click “Create account.” If you’re registering on PS4 or PS5: create a new account from the login screen when you start the console.
Complete the registration form. When prompted to select your country/region, choose your desired location from the drop-down menu. For instance, if you’re accessing the Japanese PSN Store, select “Japan.”
The page will refresh to display the appropriate form for the selected country. The language of the page may also change. If you’re using Google Chrome on desktop, the browser will prompt you to translate the page (or it may auto-translate based on your settings). You can also right-click anywhere on the page and select “Translate to English.”
If your browser doesn’t support translation or you’re registering on your console, use Google Translate on your phone, as the app can translate text via your phone’s camera.Depending on the country you’re creating an account for, you may need to provide a state, prefecture, or similar location. Choose any from the dropdown, but remember it, as it must match information you’ll add later.
Continue filling out the form. When asked for an email address, ensure it’s not linked to any other PSN accounts.
The next steps involve solving a CAPTCHA and verifying your email. Google Translate will be useful here.
The final form will request personal details. Ensure all required fields are filled. This may include a residential address, postal code, or similar information. It must be a real address in the state/prefecture you selected earlier—for example, if you’re creating a Japanese PSN account and chose Tokyo, the address should be in Tokyo.
One of the last steps is setting up payment information, but unless you have an international bank card (and are willing to pay potential currency conversion fees), it’s better to skip this and add funds later using PlayStation Store gift cards.
Complete the final steps—this usually involves accepting the terms of service (required), setting contact preferences (optional), and optionally subscribing to PSN. If you didn’t verify your email earlier, do so now to access the PSN Store.
Accessing the PlayStation Store
Once your new PSN account is ready and your email is verified, you can access the PlayStation Store for your account’s region. This can be done in several ways:
On PC or mobile: Sign in with your new PSN account on the PlayStation Store website. The store will automatically adjust to the account’s region and language settings, and you can use your browser’s translation feature if needed. (Note: You must log in with your PSN account on your PS4/PS5 and verify the device before playing games.)
On PS4/PS5: If you created the account on your PS4 or PS5, simply select it from the user list upon startup, then open the PlayStation Store app. If the region is incorrect, navigate to the “...” icon, choose “Shop Region,” and pick the correct country from the list.
Regardless of how you log in, each region’s PlayStation Store has a similar layout, making navigation straightforward. As long as you’re downloading free content, you won’t need to deal with payment details.
However, if you plan to purchase a game, DLC, or other items, you’ll need to add your payment information.
As mentioned earlier in Step 8, we suggest using PlayStation Store gift card codes, which are available in various currencies via Play Asia. While you can attempt to use your bank account or credit cards, only certain payment methods are accepted internationally, and most incur currency conversion fees.
Playing the games
The good news is that once your games are downloaded to your console, you can start playing them. In most instances, you can use your primary PSN profile to play, even if the game was purchased from a different country than your account’s region.
The PS4 and PS5 aren’t the only systems compatible with international PSN accounts. You can also use them on the PS3 and PS Vita to access their respective digital stores.
If you have a Nintendo Switch, you can set up a Japanese or European eShop account to purchase and enjoy games that aren’t typically available in the U.S.
[Android Central]
