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U.S. video game console sales have dropped significantly through August compared to last year. According to Mat Piscatella of research firm Circana, PlayStation 5 hardware unit sales are down 25%, marking the lowest point since 2013. During that period, gamers delayed purchases while waiting for the PS4 launch. Xbox retail figures have fallen by 33% year-to-date, reaching an all-time low since the console’s launch nearly 25 years ago. These figures come from Circana’s US Retail Tracking Service for the 2026 year ending in August.

Price increases are a major factor driving this decline. Manufacturers raised prices due to chip shortages and rising living costs. Microsoft has adjusted Xbox pricing three times in two years, removing the 2TB model and increasing costs on 512GB and 1TB versions by $100 and $150 respectively. The current Xbox Series S starts at $499.99 for the 512GB Digital Edition, while the Series X base price is $749.99. Sony has similarly raised PS5 prices by $100 to $150, with the base model now costing $599.99 and the Pro version priced at $899.99.

The market remains precarious according to Piscatella. While new consoles are expensive, used units have become even more costly due to shortages. Refurbished PS5 Pro consoles are selling for $1,399 at retailers like GameStop, which is nearly $500 above the new MSRP. Despite these high prices and the current sales slump, industry experts hope that the release of Grand Theft Auto VI in November and the upcoming holiday season will help stabilize the market.