With PS5 SSD prices soaring, the 5TB Astro Bot external drive is a standout option.

I wish I could say I’m joking, but recently I’ve seen PS5 SSDs like the WD BLACK 8TB SN850X priced as high as $2,416.99 at various US retailers. That jaw-dropping price is enough to make anyone cringe, but thankfully, there are alternatives available.

The Seagate Astro Bot Limited Edition Game Drive, which launched late last year for $159.99, has managed to maintain its launch price despite the rising costs of many internal M.2 SSDs. While external hard drives don’t offer the same perks as internal ones—like running games directly from the drive—I’d much rather deal with their limitations than fork over a small fortune. Plus, this limited edition drive is incredibly cute, making it a fantastic pick for Astro Bot enthusiasts.

The Astro Bot Game Drive is essentially a Seagate PS5 Game Drive with a charming design. It provides up to 5TB of extra space for your PS5 and PS4 titles, PlayStation Plus downloads, and game captures, and it can run older PS4 games directly if you have any lingering in your backlog.

I know it might seem a bit outrageous to suggest an external hard drive as a budget-friendly alternative to an internal SSD, but desperate times call for creative solutions. This limited edition drive from Seagate offers a whopping 5TB of extra storage for PS5 games, while an equivalent internal SSD would set you back at least $500 right now.

Internal drives typically don’t come in 5TB sizes, but for reference, Seagate’s FireCuda 530 SSD is currently priced at $671.95 on Amazon and only provides 4TB. Opting for this adorable alternative can save you a significant amount of cash while still giving you ample space for your PlayStation Plus downloads, digital game library, and favorite screenshots and clips. I’ve got mine connected to my launch-model PS5, and despite my massive digital backlog, I’ve barely scratched the 2TB mark.

Having an extra 5,000GB of space for just $159.99 (£149.99 at Currys in the UK) is a relief, especially as storage prices continue to soar. Plus, it adds a fun aesthetic to your PS5 setup. Not everyone cares about looks, but it’s a bummer that PS5 SSDs are so pricey and completely hidden once installed in the M.2 slot.

The Astro Bot Game Drive, however, is designed to be showcased. The included USB 3.0 cable is compact, so it needs to sit close to your PS5. As an Astro Bot fan, I’ve been more than happy with that arrangement. The drive features a stunning blue LED strip that softly glows when in use, illuminating the cute blue eyes peeking over the edge. It’s adorned with delightful art of the Team ASOBI robot, perfectly matching my official Astro Bot DualSense controller and bringing a smile to my face every time I see it—something internal M.2 drives just can’t do.

That said, if I had to choose, I’d always prefer an internal PS5 drive. It’s much more convenient to run storage-heavy games like Marvel Rivals and Fortnite directly from the source rather than having to transfer them back to the onboard drive each time. I was lucky enough to snag an internal SSD for my PS5 before prices skyrocketed, but not everyone has that luxury. There are still some reasonably priced SSDs out there, like the Crucial P510, which comes with its own heatsink and is currently $139.99 on Amazon for 1TB. While it allows you to run games directly, if you need 4TB or more, you’ll be facing those steep price tags.

If you’re in need of more PS5 storage and your budget isn’t ready for the rising costs of SSDs—which could get worse in the coming months—this Seagate Game Drive should definitely be on your radar. If Astro Bot isn’t your thing, you can also grab the plain white Game Drive for $159.99, but you’ll miss out on a free pack of Astro Bot stickers. Just a heads up!