Video game console sales in the United States have fallen sharply through the end of August 2026. Xbox hardware unit sales decreased by 33% year-to-date, reaching the lowest level since the brand launched nearly 25 years ago.
PlayStation hardware sales dropped 25% compared with the same period last year, marking the lowest point for the brand since 2013. Mat Piscatella stated that price sensitivity is becoming an increasingly serious problem for console buyers.
The US console hardware market is in one of its most precarious positions since the early 1980s, according to Piscatella. Microsoft has discontinued its 2TB model while offering the Xbox Series S 512GB for $499.99 and the 1TB version for $599.99.
Other Microsoft offerings include the Xbox Series X Digital Edition at $749.99 and the version with a disc drive for $799.99. Sony prices its PS5 Digital Edition at $599.99, while the standard model with a disc drive costs $649.99.
The PS5 Pro is priced at $899.99, and Sony increased the price of the PlayStation Portal from $199.99 to $249.99. Refurbished PS5 Slim models have increased by around $100, with GameStop listing refurbished PS5 Pro consoles at $1,399.
Major game releases such as GTA VI may encourage hardware purchases despite current trends.
