PlayStation hardware sales in the US hit their lowest point since 2013, with console sales down 25% year-over-year in 2026. The primary issue is pricing, with PS5's average selling price reaching $597, up 20% from the previous year, making it unaffordable for cost-conscious consumers amid broader economic pressures and rising component costs.
The US console market faces its worst crisis since the early 1980s, with Xbox hardware sales down 33% year-to-date and PlayStation down 25%, driven by record-high console prices ($529 for Xbox, $597 for PlayStation) amid component shortages. August saw total hardware unit sales drop 15% to 559K units, the lowest since 2013, though industry analysts hope Grand Theft Auto VI's November release may provide relief.