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PlayStation Hardware Sales Hit Lowest Point Since 2013 in US, and PS5's Price Is the Problem
Push Square • • technology
Key Points:
- The PS5 was the only gaming system to see dollar sales growth in the US in August 2026, but overall Sony console sales are down 25% year-over-year, marking its worst year since 2013.
- The high average selling price of the PS5 in the US—$597, up 20% from the previous year—is a major factor contributing to declining sales, with economic pressures and the cost of components also playing a role.
- Xbox Series X|S has also seen a 26% increase in average selling price but is experiencing its worst US hardware sales ever, while PC shipments are down 20%, and even Apple faces reduced demand for new devices.
- Rising prices and inflation in essential goods are causing consumers to tighten spending, pressuring the gaming market, and Sony plans to explore new monetization strategies beyond hardware sales for the future.
- Industry analyst Mat Piscatella warns the US hardware market is in a precarious state not seen since the early 1980s, though a crash is unlikely due to gaming's widespread popularity; nonetheless, PlayStation faces significant challenges ahead.
