Average Game Hardware Prices Have Increased by $200 Since 2019, Raising Concerns About Industry Impact

If you’ve recently picked up a new gaming console, you might already be feeling the pinch of rising prices, a trend confirmed by market research firm Circana. On average, the cost of new gaming hardware has jumped by about $200.

According to Circana’s video game industry analyst Mat Piscatella, the average price for a new console in the US was $235 in November 2019, but by November 2025, that figure had soared to $439.

In terms of sales, the numbers tell a stark story. In November 2019, 3.9 million units of gaming hardware were sold in the US, but by November 2025, that number plummeted to just 1.6 million.

This price surge has understandably affected consumer willingness to invest in new hardware. Piscatella notes the significant drop in sales, highlighting that while 3.9 million units were sold in 2019, only 1.6 million found buyers in 2025.

While it’s alarming to see an industry already facing layoffs struggle with declining sales, it’s essential for manufacturers to recognize that they can’t rely on steep price hikes indefinitely. As Piscatella puts it, “Correlation does not necessarily imply causation… unless it does.”

However, when asked about how companies might lower prices given tariffs and rising material costs, Wirecutter editor Arthur Gies received a sobering response from Piscatella: “They likely cannot and will not.”

He warns that if component prices continue to rise sharply, it could spell disaster for the dedicated gaming device market.

With AAA titles like the $70 Ghost of Yotei becoming more exclusive to wealthier gamers, many players are shifting towards free-to-play options like Fortnite. As Piscatella observes, “People just don’t realize, because they’re not paying attention.”