It seems like we have the gaming hardware that people want or need right now. U.S. video game hardware sales saw a sharp year-over-year decline in August 2024, according to the latest sales data from Circana.
According to sales data, hardware spending decreased from approximately $325 million to $280 million. This is a 36% decrease compared to the previous year. It added that each current-generation console has seen at least a 34% drop in sales compared to August 2023. Nintendo Switch saw the biggest decline at 41%.
Related: Madden 25 was the best-selling game in the U.S. in August 2024.
The decline in sales, although steep, is not surprising. The current generation of Xbox Series The Nintendo Switch has been released for over 7 years and is scheduled for replacement, so a decline of nearly 50% compared to the previous year is expected to some extent.
The launch of the PS5 Pro later this year is expected to lead to a surge in sales, but the $700 price tag won’t change much. The holiday shopping season is also expected to boost sales in some ways.
Considering cost, money is likely to have a big impact on hardware sales. Now that basic goods and services are more expensive than ever, spending money on video game consoles and other hardware may take a back seat on your list of priorities.
Accessory sales also fell 3% to $173 million in August, but not by much.
“Growth in the remote play devices segment (PlayStation Portal) was offset by a 10% year-on-year decline in gamepad spending,” said Circana’s Mat Piscatella.
What do you think about the significant year-over-year decline in video game hardware sales? Let us know below or via the official Insider Gaming forums.
For more Insider Gaming, see what are the best-selling games in America throughout 2024. And don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter.