US Console Sales Hit 13-Year August Low as Sony Admits 'Can't Sell This Year'

August US console hardware sales fell 15% year-over-year to 559,000 units, the lowest for the month since 2013, with Sony conceding the market is stalling.

August was a rough month for console makers in the US — and Sony isn't sugarcoating it. According to Circana senior director and video game industry advisor Mat Piscatella, total US game hardware sales hit just 559,000 units last month, down 15% year-over-year. That's the lowest August figure since 2013.

Hardware spending told a similar story, landing at $302 million, a 3% dip compared to the same month last year. Looking at the bigger picture, US hardware spending through August 2026 sits at $2.5 billion — down 11% year-over-year. Yeah, the whole category is feeling the squeeze.

But here's where it gets interesting: the big three aren't all struggling in the same way. Sony's PS5 actually saw hardware revenue climb 17% year-over-year in August, even as unit shipments dropped 11%. So Sony is selling fewer boxes but making more money per box — not exactly a disaster, but not growth either.

Microsoft had the roughest month of the bunch. Xbox Series hardware spending fell 13% year-over-year, while unit sales cratered 31% — the steepest volume decline among the three major players. That's a big gap between revenue and units, suggesting a heavy mix shift toward cheaper or older models.

Nintendo landed in the middle. Its hardware spending also dropped 13% year-over-year, with unit sales down 15%. No brand escaped August unscathed.

The fallout is already shaping expectations. Sony now predicts console sales will keep sliding through its 2026 fiscal year, with the company flat-out saying it "can't sell consoles this year." That's a candid admission that the current generation is well past its peak, and players just aren't rushing to upgrade.

Zoom out and the trend is clear: the US hardware market has been under pressure for months. Pricing, the size of the existing install base, and anticipation around unannounced new models are all weighing on buying decisions in different ways. Whether price cuts, new hardware, or aggressive promotions can shake loose some momentum remains an open question.

So what do you think — are you holding off on a new console because of price, or are you waiting for the next big thing? Drop your take in the comments.