US Hardware Sales Hit Lowest November Since 1995 Amidst Soaring Prices

Navigating a Challenging Market: High Prices, Low Sales

A Stark November for US Hardware Sales

According to data compiled by Circana's Mat Piscatella, the United States saw a dramatic drop in video game hardware sales in November 2025. A mere 1.6 million units were sold across all platforms, a figure not witnessed since November 1995, when sales totaled 1.4 million units. This marks a critical period for the industry, highlighting potential shifts in consumer behavior and market dynamics.

The Impact of Escalating Console Costs

A key factor contributing to this unprecedented slump appears to be the rising cost of gaming equipment. Piscatella's analysis reveals that the average price consumers paid for a new piece of hardware reached an all-time November peak of $439, representing an 11% increase compared to the previous year. This significant price hike may be deterring potential buyers, especially during a traditionally strong sales month like November.

Console Battle: PS5 Surpasses Switch 2

In the competitive landscape of console sales, the PlayStation 5 emerged as the top-selling platform in November, surpassing Nintendo's recently launched Switch 2. This achievement marks a notable victory for Sony, as it's the first time the PS5 has outsold a new Nintendo console since its debut. While the NEX Playground secured third place in unit sales, the Xbox line managed to claim the third spot in terms of total revenue generated.

Software Sales: Call of Duty Dominates, Pokémon Leads Nintendo

On the software front, Activision's highly anticipated Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 predictably claimed the title of the month's best-selling game. For Nintendo, Pokémon Legends: Z-A was its highest-charting title, demonstrating the continued popularity of its flagship franchises despite the overall hardware slowdown.