The End-of-Year Clearance Hunt: Is the PS5 Slim Fortnite Bundle Your Golden Ticket?

The weeks following the holiday season are a unique time for the tech-obsessed. While most people are returning unwanted sweaters, seasoned deal hunters are scouring the aisles of big-box retailers like Sam’s Club for the white whale of retail: the clearance tag. It is the period when holiday bundles that didn't quite sell out are suddenly transformed from premium gift items into inventory that stores desperately need to move.

As a product journalist who has navigated dozens of these post-holiday cycles, I usually tell people to keep their expectations low. Usually, a clearance bundle is just a way for a company to offload outdated accessories. However, a recent sighting of the Sony PlayStation 5 Console Slim Digital Edition — specifically the Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle — on clearance at Sam’s Club has changed the math.

If you have been waiting for the right moment to jump into the current generation of gaming, this might be it. But before you grab your keys and race to the nearest warehouse, there are some technical details and logistical hurdles you need to understand. This isn't just about a cheap console; it is about making sure you are getting the hardware you actually think you are buying.

THE HARDWARE MYSTERY: 825GB OR 1TB?

One of the most important things to look at when you find this bundle is the storage capacity listed on the box. There is a bit of a technical discrepancy in the original reports of this deal that every buyer needs to be aware of.

When Sony launched the original PlayStation 5, it came with a custom 825GB Solid State Drive (SSD). However, when they released the PS5 Slim in late 2023, they upgraded the internal storage to a full 1TB. This is a significant difference — about 175GB of extra space, which is enough to hold two or three additional major game titles.

The Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle was technically released as a Slim bundle. This means it should come with the 1TB drive. If you encounter a clearance tag that says 825GB, you are likely looking at one of two things: either the store labeled it incorrectly using old data, or you are looking at an older, bulkier launch-model Digital Edition that has been sitting in the back for a long time.

Before you head to the checkout, check the model number on the bottom of the box. The Slim models start with CFI-2000. If it is a 2000 series, you are getting that extra storage and the smaller, lighter chassis. If it is a 1000 or 1200 series, it is the older, larger model. Both are great machines, but on clearance, you want to make sure you are getting the most modern version for your money.

THE DIGITAL EDITION CHECKLIST

This clearance deal is for the Digital Edition, which means there is no disc drive. For some, this is a dealbreaker. For others, it is the future. Before you commit, you need to run through this checklist to ensure the Digital Edition fits your lifestyle:

First, check your internet. Since you cannot buy physical discs, every single game must be downloaded. Some modern games, like Call of Duty or Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, can exceed 100GB or even 150GB. If you have a slow connection or a strict data cap from your internet provider, a digital-only console could become a headache very quickly.

Second, consider your library. Do you have a shelf full of PS4 discs? They will not work here. There is no way to play a physical disc on this machine unless you purchase the separate, detachable disc drive accessory later, which usually retails for around eighty dollars.

Third, think about the secondary market. If you enjoy trading in games at retailers or buying used titles to save money, the Digital Edition locks you out of that ecosystem. You are at the mercy of the PlayStation Store’s pricing. The good news? Sony has frequent sales, but you lose the flexibility of the used game market.

NAVIGATING THE YRMV HUNT

In the world of deal hunting, we use the acronym YRMV, which stands for Your Results May Vary. Clearance at Sam’s Club is not a national rollout; it happens store-by-store based on local inventory levels. Just because someone three states away found a PS5 for a steal doesn't mean your local warehouse has even one left in stock.

To save yourself a wasted trip and the current price of gasoline, do not just drive down there. Instead, find the item number for the bundle (often found on the Sam’s Club website or via online deal forums) and call your local club. Ask the associate to check the inventory for that specific item number and, more importantly, ask them to verify the current price.

Pro-tip: Warehouse inventory systems can sometimes be inaccurate. If the associate says they have two in stock but they aren't on the floor, they might be tucked away on a high pallet in the seasonal section. Being polite and asking an associate to double-check the seasonal overstock can often turn a no into a yes.

WHO SHOULD ACTUALLY BUY THIS?

The Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle includes some digital cosmetics — specifically the Royal Strike Pack — but let’s be honest: that is not why you are buying this. You are buying this because it is the most affordable entry point into 4K, 60-frames-per-second gaming.

This deal is perfect for the late adopter who has been waiting for the PS5 price to finally drop below the four-hundred-dollar mark. It is also an incredible win for parents looking for a birthday gift that packs a punch without the five-hundred-dollar price tag of the disc-version Slim.

While the competition, like the Xbox Series S, is often cheaper, it doesn't offer the same raw power or the specific library of PlayStation exclusives. If you want to play Spider-Man 2 or God of War at their highest graphical settings, this clearance PS5 Slim is the most cost-effective way to do it.

THE FINAL VERDICT

The Sony PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition Fortnite Bundle is a rare example of a clearance item that offers genuine, high-end value. By stripping away the disc drive and the extra holiday marketing, you are left with one of the most powerful gaming consoles ever made at a fraction of the launch price.

Just remember to verify that storage. If you find the 1TB Slim model at a clearance price, it is an absolute steal. Take the money you saved and put it toward a second controller or a PS Plus subscription. As long as you are prepared for the digital-only lifestyle and have the patience to call around to find local stock, this is the golden ticket you have been waiting for. Happy hunting, and may the clearance gods be in your favor.