PS5 And Xbox Series X Both Didn’t Sell Very Well In May
New data from Circana reveals that both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S experienced a notable decline in unit sales during May. Despite this, the overall US video game market still showed a 38% year-over-year increase in hardware spending. The numbers highlight a challenging period for both console manufacturers, as the market faces headwinds from rising prices and shifting consumer preferences.
The PlayStation 5 saw a significant drop in sales, with Sony selling 58% fewer units in May compared to May 2025. This represents a 43% year-over-year decrease in spending on the console. The decline is the worst for Sony in May since the original PlayStation era, when the company's only console on the market in the US was the PlayStation from 2000.
Microsoft’s Xbox Series X|S also faced a sales downturn, with units sold dropping by 12% compared to the same period last year. This marks the worst May performance for Xbox since its debut in November 2001. Interestingly, hardware spending for Xbox consoles still increased by 7% year-over-year, likely due to the multiple price hikes the consoles have undergone in the past year.
The Impact of Price Hikes on Console Sales
The data from Circana underscores the impact of price increases on console sales. The average price of PlayStation hardware has risen by 33% over the past year, while Xbox hardware prices have increased by 22%. These hikes are clearly affecting consumer demand, even during months with high-profile game releases like 007 First Light, Forza Horizon 6, and Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight.
Despite the poor performance of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, the Nintendo Switch 2 has been a bright spot in the market. Circana estimates that the Switch 2 has sold 5.9 million units in North America. This strong showing has helped drive a 37% increase in hardware spending compared to May 2025. When considering video game sales and accessories, overall spending increased by 3% year over year.
A Challenging Outlook Ahead
On Bluesky, Circana’s Senior Director Mat Piscatella noted that May 2026 "will be last month with HW growth for a… while." He pointed out that the combination of rising prices and the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 will create a difficult environment for console sales in the near future. This suggests that the market may be entering a period of slower growth, at least for the PlayStation and Xbox platforms.
