As Xbox and PlayStation sales reach new lows, analyst says the "US hardware market has not been in a more precarious position since the early 80s"
Video game hardware sales have plunged to a 13-year low as average console prices hit record highs amid surging costs for memory and storage. Xbox sales have dropped to an all-time low, while PlayStation has experienced its worst sales performance in 13 years. Analysts report that the United States hardware market has not been in a more precarious position since the early 1980s. Major home video game console lines face severe headwinds as market conditions impact overall sales figures across the board.
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- ✓ Video game hardware sales plunged to a 13-year low as prices soared on memory and storage shortages.
- ✓ Xbox sales reached an all-time low while PlayStation recorded its worst sales in 13 years.
- ✓ An analyst stated that the US hardware market has not been in a more precarious position since the early 80s.
What changed
Console sales for Xbox and PlayStation have plummeted to multi-year lows, driven by record-high prices and component shortages.
Live updates
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Xbox and PlayStation Sales Reach New Lows
Video game hardware sales have plunged to a 13-year low as average console prices hit record highs amid surging costs for memory and storage. Xbox sales have dropped to an all-time low, while PlayStation has experienced its worst sales performance in 13 years. Analysts report that the United States hardware market has not been in a more precarious position since the early 1980s. Major home video game console lines face severe headwinds as market conditions impact overall sales figures across the board.
Why it matters
The decline in console sales reflects broader economic pressures within the technology and gaming sectors, particularly soaring prices for essential hardware components like memory and storage. These cost spikes are driving average console prices to record highs, deterring buyers and dragging US hardware sales down to levels not seen in over a decade. Industry observers are closely tracking these metrics as traditional console manufacturers navigate an increasingly difficult financial environment.
What is confirmed
- Video game hardware sales plunged to a 13-year low as prices soared on memory and storage shortages.
- Xbox sales reached an all-time low while PlayStation recorded its worst sales in 13 years.
- An analyst stated that the US hardware market has not been in a more precarious position since the early 80s.
What to watch next
- Monitor subsequent monthly hardware sales reports to determine if the slump persists through the holiday shopping season.
- Watch for official manufacturer price adjustments or hardware revision announcements in response to component cost pressures.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (12)
- www.xbox.com — XBOX Official Site: Play Games Anywhere | XBOX
- www.microsoft.com — XBOX Consoles, Games, Controllers, Gear & More - Microsoft Store
- www.walmart.com — XBOX - Walmart.com
- en.wikipedia.org — Xbox - Wikipedia
- www.microsoft.com — XBOX consoles | Microsoft Store
- www.xbox.com — Xbox Cloud Gaming on Xbox.com
- www.xbox.com — Microsoft Store | XBOX
- Eurogamer.net — As Xbox and PlayStation sales reach new lows, analyst says the "US hardware market has not been in a more precarious position since the early 80s"
- Yahoo Finance — Video game hardware sales plunge to 13-year low as prices soar on memory, storage shortage
- Forbes — Xbox Sales At An All-Time Low With PlayStation Its Worst In 13 Years
- VGChartz — Switch 2 Outsells PS5, All Drop YoY - Worldwide Hardware Estimates for August 2026
- TechPowerUp — Xbox and PlayStation US Sales Sink as Average Console Prices Hit Record Highs
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