The race to manufacture and sell GPUs for AI computing is reportedly leading to shortages of DRAM components. While there are concerns about chip maker AMD having to raise prices, which could impact the cost of next-gen gaming consoles (Sony, Microsoft, and Valve are all working with AMD on their upcoming hardware), it could reportedly impact current Xbox hardware pricing as well.
Americans are spending more on game consoles in 2025, compared to August of last year, and that's mostly thanks to the Nintendo Switch 2 and tariffs. Hardware sales topped $312 million in the US in August, up 32 percent from $236 million in August of 2024, according to Circana. That's a huge increase, especially considering that sales of the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and original Switch all fell by double-digit percentage points year over year.
This summer, Nintendo raised the prices of it's previous generation Nintendo Switch consoles following President Donald Trump's announcement to impose new tariffs on a range of countries. The base model Nintendo Switch, which originally launched at $300, is now sold for $340 new. You can, however, find the Nintendo Switch for much less than even the starting price. Buying refurbished hardware is a great way to save some money while refreshing what you play or work with.