U.S. Video Game Console Prices Jump 12% This Year
▼ Summary
– U.S. video game hardware spending increased 32% year-over-year in August, driven by strong Nintendo Switch 2 sales that offset declines in PS5, Xbox, and Switch 1 sales.
– Nintendo Switch 2 sold 2.4 million units in its first three months, surpassing PlayStation 4’s record pace and trending 77% ahead of Switch 1 sales over the same period.
– Hardware unit sales rose 6.5% year-to-date, but the average sale price increased 12.3% to $453 per unit, with higher prices driving most spending growth.
– NBA 2K26 was the top-selling game in August, followed by Madden NFL 26 and new releases like Mafia: The Old Country and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.
– Total U.S. games spending grew 11% year-over-year to $4.7 billion in August, supported by content, hardware, and mobile spending increases.
The cost of video game consoles in the United States has climbed significantly, with prices rising by 12% this year according to the latest industry analysis. While hardware sales are booming, this growth is largely fueled by higher price tags rather than a surge in the number of units sold. Consumer spending on gaming hardware has jumped 32% compared to the same period last year, a remarkable increase driven primarily by the successful launch of the Nintendo Switch 2.
This new console has more than compensated for declining sales of older models like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and the original Nintendo Switch. In fact, the Nintendo Switch 2 is performing exceptionally well, with its sales currently tracking 77% higher than the original Switch did during its equivalent launch period. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella highlighted that the Switch 2 has sold 2.4 million units in its first three months, putting it 5% ahead of the previous record-setting pace established by the PlayStation 4.
Year-to-date figures show that overall hardware spending has grown by 20%, with the number of units sold increasing by a more modest 6.5%. The real story, however, is the rising cost to consumers. The average sale price for a single unit of video game hardware has increased by 12.3%, reaching $453. Piscatella confirmed that the growth in total spending is not just about more consoles being purchased, but is significantly driven by these higher selling prices.
August was a particularly strong month for sports titles. NBA 2K26 led the sales charts, claiming the top spot for the month overall and on both PlayStation and Xbox platforms. It has already become the fifth best-selling game of the year. Madden NFL 26 followed in second place, securing the tenth spot for year-to-date sales. This title was also a key component in two popular bundles: the EA Sports MVP Bundle, which ranked eighth for the month, and the newly released EA Sports Kickoff Bundle, which debuted at number nine.
Several other new games made impressive entries onto the charts. Mafia: The Old Country started strong at number three, while Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater landed at number four. Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar also appeared on the list, debuting at number nineteen. Although Gears of War: Reloaded did not break into the overall top twenty, it performed well on individual platforms, debuting at number six on PlayStation and number eight on PC.
A few existing titles saw significant jumps in their rankings. Helldivers II climbed from position twenty-five to fourteen, and Piscatella noted that he is working to verify its sales data on Xbox, as it does not currently appear on that platform’s chart. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Hinokami Chronicles 2 also saw a major boost, moving from twenty-fourth to tenth place. This surge is likely because its release date fell on August 1st, and since Circana’s tracking for the month began on August 3rd, the majority of its sales were captured in the August data. Kirby and the Forgotten Land experienced a resurgence as well, leaping from thirty-sixth to sixth place on the Nintendo Switch charts, a boost likely tied to the release of a new upgrade pack for the Switch 2.
Spending on game content saw an 11% increase in August, reaching a total of $4.2 billion. In the accessories category, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller was the clear winner, leading in both unit and dollar sales for the month and for the year so far. When looking at the entire gaming market, total spending grew by 11% year-over-year to $4.7 billion, a figure propelled by the success of NBA 2K26, the Nintendo Switch 2, and increased mobile game expenditures.
(Source: IGN)
