Price Hikes
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30th Anniversary Pokémon Trading Card Launch Sparks Enormous Queues, 'Ghost Chair' Criticism, and Price Hikes
The launch of the 30th-anniversary Pokémon trading card set has been met with significant customer interest, leading to overnight queues outside stores. However, the release has also been marred by reports of price gouging by some retailers and criticism regarding the availability of a 'ghost chair' item.
Nintendo reveals its first price-hiked Switch 2 bundles, but I wouldn't recommend waiting for them
Nintendo is releasing two new bundles for the Nintendo Switch in Fall, featuring Mario Kart World and Switch Sports Resort, both including 90 days of Nintendo Switch Online. These bundles will be more expensive due to a price increase on September 1, where the console will rise from $449.99 to $499.99. The article advises purchasing before the price hike to save money.
Amazon devices are the latest casualties of the memory shortage price hikes
Amazon is increasing prices for its devices, including the Echo and Kindle, due to ongoing memory shortages. This impacts the cost of various Amazon hardware products.
Xbox still not making a profit on console sales despite price rise says report
A report indicates that Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S consoles continue to be sold at a significant loss, even after a recent price increase. Component shortages, particularly for RAM, have driven up costs, with Microsoft reportedly losing around $150 per unit sold. This contrasts with Sony's PlayStation 5, which has been profitable since 2021, and Nintendo's Switch, which traditionally sells hardware at a profit, though it also faces increased costs.
I'm just glad Samsung's price hikes weren't worse
The author expresses relief that Samsung's recent price increases were not more substantial, indicating a general expectation of significant price hikes. The article implies that the current price adjustments are perceived as relatively minor in the context of potential market changes.
Xbox Game Pass subscriber numbers dropped by four million after price hike
Xbox Game Pass has reportedly lost four million subscribers over the past two years, falling to 30 million. This decline is largely attributed to a significant price increase implemented last year for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Microsoft's initial goal was to reach 77 million subscribers by fiscal year 2027, a target that now appears unlikely to be met.
Bernie Sanders Rips Microsoft For Xbox Layoffs And Price Hikes
US Senator Bernie Sanders has criticized Microsoft for recent layoffs affecting 4,800 employees, including 3,200 at Xbox, and for increasing the price of the Xbox Series X. Sanders highlighted Microsoft's substantial profits and CEO's compensation, arguing that corporate tax breaks do not create jobs and that these actions contradict such benefits.
PlayStation and Xbox console sales hit record lows in US amid price hikes
US console sales for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S have reached record lows in May, attributed to significant price increases. While overall hardware spending grew due to the Nintendo Switch's strong performance, the average price paid for consoles has risen substantially. This trend is expected to continue until major releases like Grand Theft Auto 6 in November.
Xbox consoles suffer 33% price hike and there's more increases to come
Microsoft is implementing a worldwide price increase for Xbox Series X and S consoles starting August 1, 2026, citing ongoing component cost crises. The 512GB models will increase by $100 and 1TB models by $150. Microsoft also confirmed the discontinuation of the 2TB Xbox Series X model and warned of further price hikes in the future due to rising memory prices.
May 2026 US Console Sales Marked The Worst May Ever for Xbox, Worst May for PlayStation Since 2000
May 2026 saw the worst US hardware sales for Xbox and the worst May since 2000 for PlayStation, attributed to significant price increases across consoles. While Xbox unit sales declined, revenue grew due to higher prices, whereas PlayStation experienced drops in both units sold and revenue. Nintendo's Switch 2 continued to sell well, though future price hikes may pose a challenge. In software, IO Interactive's 007 First Light topped the charts, followed by Forza Horizon 6 and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight.
New Switch 2 Bundle Announced For Europe
Nintendo has announced a new Nintendo Switch bundle for Europe featuring the game Pokémon Pokopia, launching on July 2, 2026. Similar bundles are available in North America with a choice of games. The company also confirmed upcoming price increases for the Nintendo Switch in Europe starting September 1st.
Valve’s Steam Deck Surges In Price By An Average Of 41%
Valve has increased the price of its Steam Deck handheld gaming device by an average of 41%, citing rising memory and storage costs. This follows similar price hikes for the PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox consoles. The trend suggests potential affordability issues for upcoming next-generation hardware.
PlayStation 5 hardware sales down amid price hikes and memory shortage
Sony's PlayStation 5 hardware sales saw a significant year-on-year decline in Q4 FY25, selling 1.5 million units compared to 2.8 million in the previous year. This downturn is attributed to recent price increases across multiple regions and an ongoing component shortage impacting memory procurement. Despite lower hardware sales, Sony reported that the PlayStation platform maintained a large installed base and stable profits from software and network services.
Nintendo Switch 2 will soon cost $500 as price hikes roll out across the US, Europe, and more due to "various…
Nintendo has announced upcoming price increases for the Nintendo Switch 2 across the US, Europe, and Canada, effective September 1, 2026. The company cites "various changes in market conditions" as the reason for the hikes, which will see the console cost $500 in the US and €500 in Europe.
PlayStation 5 sees massive sales spike in the US, beating 2026 records so far as eager consumers rush to beat RAM crisis price hikes
US sales of the PlayStation 5 surged following Sony's announcement of upcoming price increases due to global economic pressures and component shortages. The spike in sales for the week ending April 4th has surpassed the rest of the year's sales so far. These pressures are also impacting other hardware markets, including PC RAM and potentially delaying the PlayStation 6.
PS5 Consoles Only Sold 13,539 Units in Japan Last Week, Nintendo Switch 2 Sold 59,543 Units
PlayStation 5 console sales in Japan have significantly declined, with only 13,539 units sold in the week ending April 5th, dwarfed by the Nintendo Switch's 59,543 units. This downturn follows recent price increases for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro in the Japanese market, making them more expensive than ever. Analysts speculate that Nintendo may also implement price hikes for the Switch 2 due to rising costs.
Evening Metaverse
This article appears to be a placeholder or a collection of unrelated snippets, mentioning Netflix being ordered to repay price hikes to some users and researchers developing a Wi-Fi chip for nuclear reactors. The title 'Evening Metaverse' does not seem to directly relate to the content provided.
After PS5 Price Hikes, Sony Suspends Memory Card Sales Due to Supply Crisis
Sony has temporarily suspended sales of its CFexpress and SDXC/SDHC memory cards due to global component shortages and other factors. This decision, alongside recent price hikes for the PlayStation 5, highlights ongoing pressures in the global economic landscape and supply chain.
After PS5 Price Hikes, Sony Suspends Memory Card Sales Over Supply Crisis
Sony has temporarily suspended sales of its CFexpress and SDXC/SDHC memory cards due to global supply shortages and other factors, which may lead to price increases for consumers. This follows recent significant price hikes for the PlayStation 5, attributed by Sony to ongoing global economic pressures.