Key Takeaways
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- Console sales are experiencing a significant decline across both the US and Europe in November 2025, with Xbox Series consoles seeing the steepest drop (78%) followed by PS5 (57%), despite a price reduction. Nintendo Switch sales also fell compared to the previous year.
- The average cost per Xbox console has risen by over 30%, potentially due to rising RAM costs and US tariffs on gaming hardware manufacturing countries.
- November 2017 saw video game spending in the US reach its lowest point since 1995, and this trend continues with console sales in the US projected to hit their worst results in 30 years in November 2025.
- The declining sales and rising costs could be indicative of broader global economic challenges facing the gaming industry.
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Declining Console Sales Hit Double-Digit Plunge in November 2025
Console sales are declining sharply across both the United States and Europe. According to Chris Dring from The Game Business, console sales in Europe are experiencing a significant downturn. Citing NielsenIQ data, Dring notes that Xbox Series console sales fell by 78% in November 2025 compared to November 2024. PS5 sales also dropped considerably, falling 57% despite a £150 price reduction on the Digital version, bringing it down to £350. Sales of the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 combined fell 19% below what the original Switch achieved alone in 2024. These figures follow a concerning trend that emerged in the U.S., where Xbox console sales hit a record low of 100,000 units in November 2023. November 2017 also saw video game spending in the U.S. reach its lowest point since 1995. Adding to these challenges, Xbox Series console sales in the U.S. plummeted 78% in November 2024 compared to November 2023.
Rising Xbox Prices and Declining Sales in November 2025
Furthermore, the average cost per Xbox console has increased by over 30%. Analysts anticipate potential price hikes due to rising RAM costs, driven by the growth of generative AI. Current price increases for Xbox consoles are reportedly due in part to U.S. tariffs on countries where gaming hardware is manufactured. Given these sales declines and rising costs, November—typically a strong sales month due to Black Friday—is on track to potentially register its worst console sales results in the United States in 30 years, reflecting broader global economic difficulties.
In Case You Missed It
In other thrilling gaming news, Jonathan Dubinski’s latest post “A Fresh Look at Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined” A Fresh Look at Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined takes us on a nostalgic journey just published yesterday. He expertly breaks down Square Enix’s recent trailer for the upcoming remake, which promises to deliver monsters, puzzles, and narrative twists when it releases across multiple platforms on February 5th – perfect for rekindling your love for this classic series! Meanwhile, Bruno Pferd shares insightful news about Nintendo Switch 2 cartridges in his article “Nintendo Reveals Smaller Nintendo Switch 2 Cartridges” Nintendo Reveals Smaller Nintendo Switch 2 Cartridges. Published on the same day, Bruno discusses ININ Games’ shift towards physical cartridge formats for Nintendo Switch 2 games, with R-Type Dimensions 3 leading the way – a direct response to community demand that’s worth keeping an eye on. Lastly, author Sophie Laurent explores how indie game creators are using social media to share their trailers due to the high costs of showcasing them at prestigious events like the Game Awards in her insightful piece “We Don’t Have $1 Million for the Game Awards, But Here’s Our Trailer” We Don’t Have $1 Million for the Game Awards, But Here’s Our Trailer. Published on December 19th, this compelling read offers a fresh perspective on the growing trend of indie games in the industry.
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