Record Decline Amidst Record Prices: Xbox Sales in the US Hit an All-Time Low, While PlayStation Shows Worst Result Since 2013

According to an analyst, the market situation has not been this difficult since the video game industry crisis of the early 1980s

According to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, Xbox and PlayStation sales in the US significantly decreased in the first eight months of 2026 amidst record price increases.

According to Piscatella's data, released after August, Xbox console sales in unit terms year-to-date fell by 33% compared to the same period in 2025. This is the platform's worst result ever recorded in the US. PlayStation saw a 25% decline — to its lowest level since 2013.

One of the main reasons for the decline, according to the analyst, is the rapid increase in gaming console prices. On average, buyers paid $529 for a new Xbox in the US since the beginning of 2026 — 26% more than a year earlier. The average price of a PlayStation reached $597, an increase of 20%. Both figures became historical highs for the American market.

Total console sales in the US in August decreased by 15% year-on-year, totaling 559 thousand units. This is the worst result for August since 2013.

PlayStation unit sales fell by 11%, reaching the lowest August level in the last 13 years. Xbox showed an even more significant decline — by 31%, to its worst August result since 2020. Nintendo hardware sales also decreased by 15%.

At the same time, the average price of a new console purchased in August reached a record $541, compared to $476 a year earlier.

A striking example is the PlayStation 5. Despite the decrease in the number of units sold, Sony's console revenue in August increased by 17%. This is explained by the fact that buyers started purchasing fewer consoles, but paying significantly more for each of them.

The leader in the American market in terms of units sold and revenue in August, as well as year-to-date, was the Nintendo Switch 2. PlayStation 5 took second place in both indicators, while Xbox Series X|S significantly lagged behind its competitors.