PS5 Tops US Sales Charts As Hardware Revenue Hits 30-Year Low

The US video game hardware market has recorded its worst monthly sales performance in over three decades, with November 2025 figures showing a dramatic 30% year-on-year decline. According to data reported by GameSpot, total spending on consoles and related hardware fell to just $949 million, a stark drop from the $1.35 billion seen in November 2024. This slump marks the lowest November for hardware revenue since 1995, a year when the original PlayStation was just finding its feet and the Nintendo 64 was still a year from launch.

📜 The Last Time Hardware Hit This LowThe article notes November 2025's revenue is the lowest since 1995. That year, the console market was in a major transition. The Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo were aging, the Sega Saturn had launched to a rocky start, and the original PlayStation was just beginning its ascent, with the Nintendo 64 still a year away.

In this diminished market, the PlayStation 5 reclaimed the top spot for both unit and dollar sales. The Nintendo Switch 2, which had led the market since its release in June, fell to second place in units sold and third in revenue. Microsoft's Xbox Series X|S consoles ranked third for units sold, as noted by GameSpot. The figures reveal a challenging landscape: PS5 sales totalled $455 million, Switch 2 sales reached $439 million, and Xbox Series X|S generated $695 million in revenue for the period.

For those who remember the console wars of the 1990s, this downturn evokes memories of the volatile mid-90s market. The reported $949 million total is a far cry from the explosive growth periods driven by system-sellers like Super Mario 64 in 1996 or the PlayStation 2's launch in 2000. The current climate suggests a consolidation phase, reminiscent of the quiet before a new generation truly captures the public's imagination, much like the lull between the SNES and the arrival of the 3D era.

The broader context, as reported by GameSpot, includes significant price increases from major platform holders, which has likely contributed to consumer hesitation. This presents a familiar dilemma: balancing cutting-edge technology with accessible pricing, a tightrope Sony navigated with the PS1 and Nintendo mastered with the Wii. How the industry responds will determine whether this November becomes a historical footnote or the start of a more cautious era for hardware innovation.