November Console Sales Hit 30-Year Low as Price Hikes Backfire

According to the market research group Circana, the general public has drastically reduced its spending on gaming consoles this sales season. Spending fell by 27% in November 2025 compared to last year, with total unit sales reaching just 1.6 million—the lowest in 30 years.

Xbox Series consoles saw a major decline, with unit sales dropping by 70% compared to last year. This is the lowest sales Microsoft has ever recorded for November. PlayStation 5 sales fell 40%, while the combined performance of the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 dropped 10% from last year's Switch-only numbers. That's considering the Switch 2's record launch sales, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.

Circana says pricing is the primary culprit. Sony raised PS5 prices by $50 this summer, bringing the disc version to $549.99 the PS5 Pro to $749.99. Microsoft was doubly aggressive, with two price hikes in ...