Console Pricing
Ongoing coverage on Console Pricing.
Latest coverage
XBOX CEO Says New Business Model is Needed “Rather Than Premium, High-Performance” Consoles
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company is exploring new business models for consoles, moving away from solely focusing on premium, high-performance hardware due to rising costs. This approach contrasts with previous statements from Sarah Bond about a "very premium" next-gen console. Industry analysts suggest cloud gaming subscriptions as a potential alternative for budget-conscious gamers.
Nintendo Direct announced for tomorrow and it's the big one
Nintendo has officially announced a Nintendo Direct presentation scheduled for June 9th, focusing on games for both the Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, with a runtime of approximately 50 minutes. The showcase is expected to reveal new titles for the remainder of the year and potentially tease the Switch 2's launch lineup, including a rumored The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. This Direct follows a period without major first-party game announcements and precedes a price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2.
XBOX CEO Tells Employees There Will be “Hard Decisions” in Internal Memo – Rumor
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has informed employees via an internal memo about upcoming "hard choices" and strategic shifts necessary to rebuild the brand. The memo touches on potential layoffs, the need for a better value proposition for Game Pass, and considerations for future console pricing and availability, while also noting a rebranding from Xbox to XBOX.
Games Inbox: Will Modern Warfare 4 save Call Of Duty?
Readers discuss the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, with concerns that Activision is not taking enough time to address player dissatisfaction. Other topics include the potential for Persona 6 leaks to be AI-generated, the quality of movie-licensed games, and the rising cost of next-generation consoles.
Game Consoles Are Pricing Themselves Out of Relevance
The increasing price of game consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X is making them less relevant to a growing audience, especially younger gamers who are accustomed to more affordable or free-to-play experiences on PC and mobile. Analysts predict future consoles could cost as much as $900, a price point that, combined with stagnating graphical advancements and the increasing availability of games on PC, may alienate consumers. This trend is further exacerbated by declining hardware sales and rising component costs due to factors like inflation and supply chain issues.
Nintendo Confirms It Has Under-Wraps Switch 2 Games Due Later This Year, as Share Price Drops Following Console Price Hike
Nintendo has confirmed that several unannounced games for the Nintendo Switch 2 are planned for release later this year. This announcement comes as the company faces scrutiny for its decision to increase console prices.
Nintendo promise better Switch 2 games line-up as boss apologises for price hike
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has apologized for an upcoming price hike on the Nintendo Switch 2, citing rising manufacturing costs and the impact of AI data centers on RAM chip prices. He promised a robust software lineup to justify the increased cost, with rumors circulating about a "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" remake and a new "3D Mario" game. Nintendo has also been criticized for the lack of major first-party game announcements this year.
I worry the PS6 is going to be cancelled and the games industry with it - Reader's Feature
A reader expresses concern that the PlayStation 6 might be delayed or even cancelled due to rising costs and potential memory shortages, impacting the future of the games industry. The author notes that similar concerns exist for Microsoft's next-gen console and Nintendo's price increases, suggesting a potential 'death cycle' for the industry where only a few companies and games remain.
Talking Point: Will You Be Getting A Switch 2 Before The Price Goes Up?
Nintendo is increasing the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 by $50 USD / €30 starting September 1st, bringing the new RRP to $499.99 USD / €499.99. This follows a previous price hike for the original Switch in the US and Sony's recent PlayStation 5 price increases. Despite the higher cost and lack of a major exclusive title, the Switch 2 has sold nearly 20 million units in its first 10 months.
Nintendo sold over 8 million Pokémon games in 2026 as Pokopia proves a big hit
Nintendo reported strong sales for its Pokémon titles in 2026, with Pokémon Pokopia selling over four million units on the Nintendo Switch 2 in its first five weeks. Ports of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen also exceeded four million sales. Pokémon Legends: Z-A has sold 12.79 million copies across both Switch and Switch 2, while Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream sold 3.8 million units in two weeks.
GamesStop wants eBay, Nintendo confirms Switch 2 price hike, and union boss says EA buyout is a national security risk - Patch Notes #51
This week's gaming news roundup covers GameStop's $55.5 billion takeover bid for eBay, Nintendo's confirmation of price hikes for the Nintendo Switch 2, and concerns raised by a union boss regarding the potential Saudi Arabian buyout of Electronic Arts, citing national security risks. The article also touches on internal leadership changes at Xbox, layoffs at 2K, and the rebranding of CCP Games.
Nintendo reportedly pressured to raise Switch 2 price as $450 console is sold at a loss
Nintendo is reportedly facing pressure from investors to increase the price of its upcoming Switch 2 console, which is rumored to launch at $450 and be sold at a loss. This comes as Nintendo's stock has fallen significantly, with investors drawing parallels to Sony's strategy of raising PlayStation 5 prices to improve profitability. Factors such as supply chain issues and global economic pressures are contributing to higher manufacturing costs for the console.
Now Even Refurbished PS5 Consoles Cost a Fortune
Sony has increased the price of refurbished PlayStation 5 consoles by $100 through its PlayStation Direct store. This price hike means a refurbished disc-based PS5 now costs $549.99, and the Digital Edition is $499.99, making affordable options for the console increasingly scarce amidst global economic challenges.
Xbox CEO Confirms Memory Shortage Will Impact The Next Xbox Console
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that ongoing memory shortages will impact the pricing and availability of the upcoming "Project Helix" console. While a release window has not been set, Sharma emphasized focusing on building a great console for playing both console and PC games. The console is expected to feature custom AMD hardware and advanced ray tracing capabilities.
Xbox boss Asha Sharma hints memory costs "will impact" pricing and availability of next-gen Project Helix console
Xbox boss Asha Sharma has indicated that ongoing memory cost increases will likely impact the pricing and availability of the company's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix. Sharma stated that these factors are being considered as the company plans for future hardware releases, with no specific timeline currently available. The global RAM crisis is expected to continue impacting console production until late 2027 or early 2028.
"Memory costs will impact pricing, and will impact availability" of Xbox's Project Helix console, Asha…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that RAM shortages will impact the pricing and availability of Microsoft's upcoming console, codenamed Project Helix. This comes as the industry anticipates higher costs for next-generation hardware, with some analysts predicting a 50% increase over the previous generation and memory crisis potentially lasting until 2028.
Xbox boss warns "memory costs will impact pricing, will impact availability" when it comes to Project Helix
Xbox boss Asha Sharma acknowledged that the ongoing memory shortage crisis will impact the pricing and availability of its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix. Sharma stated that Microsoft is considering these factors as part of its equation to ensure accessibility for players. The crisis, exacerbated by AI data centers consuming large amounts of memory, is reportedly causing Sony to consider delaying its own next-generation console rollout.
New rumors suggest PS6 will massively out-perform the Steam Machine, but I'm not sure that's what we need…
New rumors suggest the PlayStation 6 will significantly outperform the Steam Machine, with performance gains potentially reaching 3.1x the PS5's current ray-traced framerates. The article questions whether such a high-end performance leap is necessary or aligned with current market conditions, especially given a speculated $1,000 price point for the top-tier model.
Rumored PS6 pricing could mean we've got the entire generation backwards, AI will run Sony's next show not…
Rumors suggest the PlayStation 6 could launch with a 'Lite' model priced between $349-$549 and a standard model at $999, potentially shifting the flagship console to a more premium 'Pro' tier. Sony is reportedly refining its PSSR upscaling technology, leveraging AI for improved visuals ahead of the next-generation launch.
Sony may launch three PS6 devices in 2027, including a budget and main console and a handheld device all ranging between…
A leaker claims Sony will launch three PlayStation 6 devices simultaneously in 2027, including a standard console, a budget 'lite' model, and a handheld device. Pricing for these devices is speculated to range between $350 and $1000, reflecting recent price increases for the PlayStation 5 and its accessories.
