Circana says the US console hardware market is in its most precarious position since the early 80s

Market research firm Circana says the US console hardware market is in its most precarious position "since the early 80s." Year-to-date figures through August show Xbox hardware unit sales down 33% year on year and PlayStation down 25%, an all-time low for Xbox and PlayStation's lowest since 2013. Circana attributes the US price increases mainly to component shortages caused by AI data centers, with the average Xbox console selling for $529 in 2026 through August, 26% higher than a year ago, and PlayStation at $597, 20% higher.