US Video Game Hardware Sales Hit Lowest November Since 1995 Despite PS5 Strength
The recent report revealing that only 1.6 million units of video game hardware were sold in the US in November 2025 paints a sobering picture for the gaming industry’s hardware sector. According to data shared by Circana and industry analyst Mat Piscatella, this figure marks the worst November sales performance since 1995 — underscoring a significant downturn amid what is traditionally a crucial sales period during the holiday season. Nonetheless, this comprehensive report highlights both strengths and challenges facing the market today.
Key Insights on November 2025 Hardware Sales Decline
The headline numbers illustrate a stark decline: hardware unit sales dropped sharply compared to 3.9 million units sold in November 2019. Additionally, the total monthly spending on hardware plummeted 27% year-over-year to $695 million, representing the lowest November hardware spend since 2005. While the average price paid per new console rose to $439, a near doubling since 2019, this did not offset the overall slump in unit sales throughout the market.
This downturn extended into physical software as well, with sales falling 14% compared to the previous November — a level not seen in three decades. Furthermore, the combined spending on hardware, content, and accessories declined by 4% year-over-year to $5.9 billion. These figures illustrate a broad contraction across gaming expenditures during November according to the original report.
PS5’s Continued Market Dominance Amid Challenges
Interestingly, amidst these challenging conditions, Sony’s PlayStation 5 stood out as November’s best-selling hardware, leading in both units and dollars — a notable milestone as it is the first time this has happened since the Nintendo Switch 2 launched. The PS5 benefited from prominent Black Friday discounts that propelled it to account for over half of all console sales during that period.
The strong demand for the PS5, despite recent price hikes, emphasizes its enduring appeal and consumer loyalty. It even officially overtook the PS3 in lifetime US sales. Moreover, the Nintendo Switch 2 secured second place in hardware units sold during November, with the emerging NEX Playground also making a respectable third place in unit sales.
Challenges Faced by Other Hardware Players
While the PS5 fared well, other players like the Xbox Series struggled amid price increases, as highlighted in related industry analysis from 2025. The Xbox Series X placed third in terms of dollar sales but did not match the unit sales momentum of its competitors. This aligns with broader trends where pricing decisions appear to significantly impact consumer purchasing behavior in a constrained economic environment.
Software and Game Sales Trends Reflect Industry Shifts
Black Ops 7 emerged as the best-selling game of November and ranked seventh in overall 2025 sales so far. Despite this achievement, the Call of Duty franchise experienced a double-digit percentage decline in full game dollar sales compared to November 2024, pointing to shifting player preferences or market saturation. Meanwhile, Battlefield 6 performed exceptionally well among first-person shooters, even surpassing Call of Duty in concurrent Steam players, which suggests interesting dynamics in player engagement beyond traditional sales figures.
What the Data Suggests About the Gaming Market’s Future
The downward trends in hardware and physical software sales could be attributed to multiple factors including economic pressures, inventory dynamics, or evolving consumer habits favoring digital downloads and subscriptions. Given that November is pivotal for year-end sales, the significant drop signals that the industry may need to adapt strategies around pricing, marketing, and product offerings to sustain growth.
The report also hints at the increasing importance of mobile gaming, with top U.S. consumer spend led by titles such as MONOPOLY GO!, Royal Match, and Candy Crush Saga, illustrating that gaming continues to thrive even if hardware sales face headwinds.
Conclusion: Balanced View on Industry Performance
The detailed sales data from November 2025 provides invaluable insights for stakeholders in the gaming ecosystem. While the overall hardware and physical software sales data highlights a challenging landscape reminiscent of the mid-1990s, the continued success of the PS5 and emergence of new contenders like the Nintendo Switch 2 illustrate areas of robust consumer interest and resilience.
For more detailed analysis and data, readers can refer directly to the full TechRadar article discussed here.