PlayStation hardware sales fall to their lowest May total since 2000 | US Monthly Charts

PlayStation and Xbox experienced significant hardware sales declines in May 2026, reflecting the impact of recent price increases on consumer purchasing behavior. According to Circana data, PlayStation 5 unit sales dropped 58% year-over-year, reaching their lowest May total since 2000—26 years ago when only the original PlayStation was available in the US market. Xbox Series hardware also struggled, with unit sales declining 12% year-over-year, marking the worst May ever recorded for the platform since its launch in November 2001.

Sony’s price increases, implemented in April, were a key factor in the decline. The standard PS5 rose by $100 to $649.99, while the PS5 Pro increased by $150 to $899.99. PlayStation spending fell 43% year-over-year as a result. Despite this grim picture, Xbox hardware spending paradoxically grew 7% compared to the previous year, suggesting that while fewer units were sold, higher average prices partially offset the unit decline.

The broader US hardware market showed more resilience, with overall spending rising 38% year-over-year to $249 million in May. This growth was primarily driven by Nintendo’s Switch 2, which became the best-selling hardware for the month and year-to-date. The strong Switch 2 performance compensated for the significant declines at PlayStation and Xbox.

The average price of new game hardware increased 14% year-over-year, indicating that the sector is experiencing broader pricing pressures affecting consumer demand across all major platforms, not just Sony and Microsoft’s offerings.

PlayStation hardware sales fall to their lowest May total since 2000 | US Monthly Charts

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