Another day and yet another price hike later, it’s clear that it’s more expensive than ever to purchase a video game console. Microsoft recently announced a third price hike for its line of Xbox consoles, and it also suggested that another one could be on the horizon. Microsoft isn’t alone here, as both Nintendo and Sony have also increased the prices of their gaming hardware, with the companies attributing the hikes to the current components crisis and various other global economic factors.
Just how expensive is it to buy any video game console in 2026? You can take a closer look at the numbers below, which paint a worrying picture about how gaming is increasingly becoming a hobby that only the wealthy can comfortably afford. Both Sony and Microsoft’s primary consoles have increased by several hundred dollars since last year, with the PS5 Pro edging closer to the $1,000 mark.
In comparison, the Nintendo Switch appears to be the option that’s the most affordable, but who knows just how long that will last? The Xbox Series S used to be considered the best deal in gaming, but with the smaller white rectangle now shooting up from $300 to $500, that may no longer be the case.
Console
Original launch price
Current price (As of early/mid 2026)
Upcoming price / Effective date
PS5 Digital Edition
$400 (Nov 2020)
$600
PS5 with Disc Drive
$500 (Nov 2020)
$650
PS5 Pro (No disc drive)
$700 (Nov 2024)
$900
Nintendo Switch Lite
$200 (Sep 2019)
$230
Nintendo Switch (Standard)
$300 (Mar 2017)
$340
Nintendo Switch OLED
$350 (Oct 2021)
$400
Nintendo Switch 2
$450 (June 2025)
$450
$500 (Effective September 1, 2026)
Xbox Series S (512GB)
$300 (Nov 2020)
$400
$500 (Effective August 1, 2026)
Xbox Series X (1TB)
$500 (Nov 2020)
$650
$800 (Effective August 1, 2026)
Xbox Series X (2TB)
$800
$800
Discontinued
To add salt to the wound, expect gaming companies to reach even deeper into the pockets of their existing install base. Sony has already confirmed that it’ll be looking at further monetization strategies designed to grow its software and network revenue, while Xbox Game Pass is more expensive than it was a year ago.
