Every PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo console price hike in 2026, including crazy 71% rise
Topics: PlayStation, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo, Steam, PC
Featured Image Credit: Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony
Topics: PlayStation, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo, Steam, PC
Console price-hikes are nothing new nowadays unfortunately. PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo and even Steam are all guilty of them.
While they can be explained by ongoing market problems and catastrophic RAM/GPU shortages (thanks AI), that doesn’t take the sting out of just how expensive it is to be a gamer in 2026.
Below are all current-gen consoles’ original prices upon release, compared to how much they cost nowadays. It really puts into perspective how deep into the trenches we’ve ventured.
Arguably the worst offender of price-hikes is Sony. At launch the PlayStation 5 (disc version) cost $499.99/£449.99. This was followed by the PlayStation 5 Pro which launched at the more expensive price of $699.99/£699.99
After the price-hikes in April, a PlayStation 5 with a disc drive will now cost you $649.99/£569.99, which is almost as much as the PlayStation Pro used to cost. Nowadays the PlayStation 5 Pro retail for $899.99/£789.99.
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That’s a 30% increase for both consoles since their initial launch. It’s got many gamers worrying about what ridiculous pricepoint Sony is planning for the PlayStation 6.
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At launch an Xbox Series X (1TB storage) would have set you back $499.99/£449.99, whereas the more affordable but less powerful Xbox Series S cost $349.99/£349.99.
From August 1, the two consoles will have their prices increased by 60% and an incredible 71%, respectively. A 1TB storage Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S will cost you $799.99 and $599.99 respectively. That’s around $300 more than launch.
Compared to PlayStation and Xbox, Nintendo has been very reasonable with its price hikes for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo’s new-gen console launched just last year for $449.99/£395.99. From September 1 2026 there will only been a marginal increase to $499.99/£395.99, so it’ll still be reasonably affordable. It just needs more solid first-party games if it wants gamers to give up their OG Nintendo Switch systems, production of which will soon be discontinued.
Valve is often hailed as a consumer-friendly business that prides itself on customer service and value for money, but recently its hardware has been anything but.
The Steam Machine is to be sold at the outrageous price of $1,049/£879, due to current market factors.
Those that think getting a Steam Deck will be the better deal should think twice, however, as earlier this year Valve issued one of the most ludicrous price-hikes we’ve seen for quite some time.
Originally the Steam Deck retailed for $549.99/£459.99 for the 512GB OLED version, whereas the 1TB OLED version would set you back $649.99/£569.99.
Since then that price has skyrocketed to $789.99/£649 and $949/£779 for the 512GB and 1TB models respectively. That’s nearly a 50% price increase.
Gaming used to be an enjoyable hobby, but in 2026 it’s an expensive and disappointing mess thanks to the rapidly rising cost of hardware.
It feels like it’s only going to get worse from here too, with price hikes likely on the way and the next-generation of console probably packing prices comparable to high-end PCs.
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