US console sales plunge: Xbox down 33%, PS5 down 25% year-to-date
Circana analyst Mat Piscatella reported that US Xbox retail sales have fallen 33% year-to-date, an all-time low for the platform, while PS5 sales dropped 25%, the weakest showing since 2013. Both Microsoft and Sony have raised console prices multiple times over the past two years, with the Xbox Series X now reaching $799.99 and the PS5 Pro priced at $899.99.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Piscatella's comments suggest price sensitivity among consumers is now a major driver of hardware demand, a shift that could pressure manufacturers to reconsider pricing strategies tied to chip costs. The analyst's characterization of the market as the most precarious since the early 1980s implies console makers may face mounting difficulty sustaining hardware-driven revenue going forward.
- Xbox retail sales down 33% YTD, an all-time low since its 2001 launch
- PS5 sales down 25%, the weakest since 2013's pre-PS4 lull
- Multiple price hikes on both consoles are linked by analysts to falling demand
Sony PlayStation 5 Console — With console prices climbing and sales slumping, now's a good time to weigh your options if you're still considering a next-gen upgrade. The PS5 remains a strong pick for its exclusive library and solid performance, making it a worthwhile investment even amid the price hikes discussed in the article.
See Sony PlayStation 5 Console on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: hardware.slashdot.org — Posted, 2026-10-12
Published there as: “Game Console Market Craters: Xbox and PS5 Sales Plummet Over 25%”
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