Pricing
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Handheld gaming PCs are cooked
The market for handheld gaming PCs is facing significant challenges due to rising component prices, particularly memory. Devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and Steam Deck are becoming less affordable, with even budget options like the Steam Deck OLED seeing substantial price increases. This trend, coupled with the strong performance of consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2, suggests a potentially shrinking market for high-performance handheld gaming PCs, possibly relegating them to a niche for enthusiasts with deep pockets.
PlayStation and Xbox are both dead, they just don’t realise it yet - Reader’s Feature
A reader argues that both PlayStation and Xbox are in terminal decline due to recent layoffs, a move away from physical media, and increasing prices. The author believes that in ten years, only PC and Nintendo consoles will remain dominant, with Xbox and PlayStation potentially becoming third-party publishers.
Blaze's affordable Super Pocket handheld has been hit with a price hike due to AI component demand, despite absorbing "rising costs across manufacturing, components, and freight for as long as possible"
Blaze has announced a price increase for its Super Pocket handheld and Evercade cartridges in the UK and Europe, citing rising costs for manufacturing, components, and freight, particularly due to demand for AI components. The Super Pocket will now cost between £59.99 / €69.99, and Evercade cartridges will be £24.99 / €29.99. Prices remain unchanged in the US due to recent tariff reductions.
Black Ops ports are 50% cheaper on PS5 but not Xbox as fans fume over price
Ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 are now available on PlayStation 4 and 5, featuring single-player, multiplayer, and Zombies modes without graphical updates or included DLC. While priced at £34.99 each, PS Plus members receive a 50% discount, bringing the cost down to £17.49 per game. This pricing is significantly cheaper than the Xbox versions, despite Microsoft's ownership of Activision, leading to fan frustration over the cost of older titles.
Call of Duty: Black Ops & Black Ops 2 PS4/PS5 Price — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
The ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 are priced at $39.99, with a limited-time discount for PS Plus subscribers bringing the cost down to $19.99. The article notes the lack of cross-play between the two console generations and questions the value of these ports given their age and lack of new content.
Games are almost always cheaper in shops, says new report, just as Sony announces an end to PlayStation discs and brings retailers' futures into question
Sony Interactive Entertainment will cease manufacturing physical PlayStation discs in January 2028, shifting exclusively to digital formats. A report by Tweakers comparing historical retail and PlayStation Store prices indicates that physical games are statistically cheaper over time, with digital titles often retaining their full launch price. This move is expected to increase game costs and eliminate the second-hand market, though retailers may still sell digital vouchers.
A rubbish Silent Hill game that's free on PS5 is £52 for the physical edition
Limited Run Games is releasing a physical deluxe edition of the free-to-play PlayStation 5 title Silent Hill: The Short Message for $69.99, shipping in January 2027. Despite including art cards, a poster, and a keychain, the high price is criticized given the game's short length and perceived low quality, especially when compared to other recent Silent Hill releases and upcoming titles like Silent Hill: Townfall.
'It Has Become a Success Beyond Our Wildest Dreams' — Palworld Dev Pocketpair Decides Against Raising the Price of the Game for 1.0 Launch
Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, has announced that the game's price will not be increased for its 1.0 launch and will remain at $29.99. This decision comes as the game has achieved success beyond the developer's expectations.
Somehow, the $1,000 Asus ROG Ally Xbox X is the best value gaming handheld I can think of right now
Despite its initial high price, the ASUS ROG Ally Xbox X is now considered the best value handheld gaming PC due to current market conditions and rising prices of competitors like the Steam Deck OLED, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw. The article highlights the ROG Ally's strong performance with its AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU and Windows operating system as key factors in its current appeal.
Nintendo Switch 2 has accidentally become the most appealing console right now
Amidst rising console prices and studio closures from Sony and Microsoft, the Nintendo Switch 2 has emerged as the most appealing gaming device due to its competitive pricing and value. Despite not being as powerful as its rivals, the Switch 2 offers a more futureproof investment with strong first-party support and a growing library of third-party titles, making it a stable and accessible option for consumers.
A $1,000 PS6 or Xbox Would Repeat Gaming’s Biggest Pricing Mistake
The high price of the Steam Machine, exceeding even the PS5 Pro, raises concerns about the pricing of future consoles like the PlayStation 6 and upcoming Xbox hardware. The article discusses how traditional console manufacturers subsidize hardware costs through game sales and services, a model that may be unsustainable with rising component prices. It suggests that Sony and Microsoft should consider delaying their next-gen consoles to ensure a justifiable value proposition for consumers, otherwise, they risk alienating a significant portion of their market.
Physical PS5 game is close to $6.50 Nintendo Switch between $12 to $15, Switch 2 bit higher
Sony is reportedly ceasing physical video game releases for the PlayStation 5 starting January 2028, a move that has been met with dissatisfaction from console owners. The article also touches on pricing for Nintendo Switch games, suggesting they range from $12 to $15, with the upcoming Switch 2 potentially being priced higher.
AMD graphics cards likely to rise by 10%, according to new leak
A leak suggests AMD will increase prices for its graphics cards and VRAM bundles by 10% for board partners, which is likely to be passed on to consumers. This news comes from a Chinese industry forum and follows recent trends of rising component costs. It is unclear if all AMD GPUs will be affected equally, and Nvidia's pricing strategy remains unmentioned in this report.
GTA VI finally has a release date, but fans are worried
Grand Theft Auto VI is slated for release on November 19th, but concerns are rising among fans regarding its $129.95 AUD price tag and the lack of a physical disc version at launch. While Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has addressed rumors about delayed physical releases, sources within Rockstar suggest no discs are planned, fueling player distrust about industry trends and rising game costs.
All the Apple products avoiding the price hike (for now)
This article analyzes which Apple products are currently avoiding price increases. It highlights specific product lines that have maintained their original pricing despite broader market trends.
GTA 6 costs $100, and the $80 price tag is an illusion: Rockstar’s betrayal
This opinion piece discusses the perceived high cost of Grand Theft Auto 6, suggesting that the $80 price tag is misleading and that the actual cost to consumers might be higher. The author expresses disappointment with Rockstar Games regarding the pricing strategy.
Nintendo Switch Online Japan Subscription Prices Are Going Up
Nintendo is increasing the subscription prices for its online services in Japan, affecting both individual and family memberships for standard and expansion tiers. The price hike will take effect on July 1, 2026, with current rates valid until June 30, 2026. This change impacts users with Japanese region accounts, including international gamers who use them for exclusive content.
Morning Consolidation
Xbox consoles experienced their worst sales month on record in the US, while PlayStation 5 sales dropped by 58%. This decline coincides with soaring hardware prices, suggesting a significant downturn in console hardware market performance.
Switch 2 is the second fastest-selling console in US history, as PlayStation records its worst May in decades - and Xbox its worst May ever
The Nintendo Switch has become the second fastest-selling console in US history, while the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S recorded their worst May sales figures ever. This downturn is attributed to significant price increases across all platforms, driven by ongoing component shortages exacerbated by AI data center demand. The upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6 may offer a temporary boost, but concerns remain about console affordability and stock availability.
PS5 And Xbox Series X Both Didn’t Sell Very Well In May
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S experienced a significant drop in unit sales in May, despite an overall increase in hardware spending. Sony sold 58% fewer PS5 units compared to May 2025, marking the lowest May sales since 2000. Xbox unit sales fell 12%, the worst May performance since its launch, though Microsoft saw hardware spending increase due to price hikes. The Nintendo Switch continued its success, offsetting the declines of the other consoles.
