欧博官网Rising Console Prices Lead to Historic Sales D
Video game hardware sales in the United States have hit a historic low, exposing crisis trends in the market. According to data from Circana, total consumer spending in this category was just $695 million in November 2025—a 27% drop compared to the same period last year. The decline in unit sales was even more severe. Only 1.6 million units of hardware were sold during the month, marking the worst November performance since 1995.
The average price of a new video game console in November reached a record $439, increasing 11% year-over-year. For comparison, in November 2019 the average price was $235. This price surge was driven by recent price increases for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, which celebrated their fifth anniversary in November. This has led to a situation where demand cannot withstand the high cost of the devices.
Despite the overall market decline, fierce competition among manufacturers persisted. In November, PlayStation 5 led in sales both in revenue and units sold for the first time since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. The Switch 2 itself took second place in both metrics, while the third spot in unit sales went to the Nex Playground console, and in revenue—to the Xbox Series.
The crisis was not limited to the hardware market. Although Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 remained the top-selling game of the month, the entire Call of Duty franchise revenue showed a double-digit percentage decline compared to November 2024.
The current situation points to a turning point for the industry. Consumers have become more selective in purchasing expensive gaming hardware, especially against the backdrop of rising prices. This is leading analysts to predict a further market transformation, where traditional sales models may give way to new strategies.
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About the author
Arkadiy Andrienko
Author of articles and news
As a technical journalist for VGTimes, I equally enjoy discussing the latest graphics cards and delving into the intricacies of classic RPGs. Since 2018, I have been writing about games and hardware; my experience in sound engineering has allowed me to understand the nuances of audio technologies well, and I am always on the lookout for something new in the realm of gaming hardware. When I'm not writing about technology, I'm likely exploring the post-apocalyptic wastelands in Fallout, managing a colony in RimWorld, or commanding armies in Hearts of Iron IV. For me, gaming is more than just a hobby—it's a passion that fuels my creativity and keeps me connected to the ever-evolving world of technology.
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