In a startling revelation, November 2025 marked the worst month for hardware sales in the US since tracking began 30 years ago. According to Circana, only 1.6 million units of video game hardware were sold, a significant drop from previous years and the lowest since 1995. This decline is attributed to a combination of factors, including an all-time high average price of $439 for new units, which deterred many potential buyers during the typically lucrative Black Friday and Christmas shopping season.