November: The Hardware Sales Horror Story
Hold onto those controllers, because November was not just another month; it was *the* month that turned the gaming world upside down. In fact, it was the most dismal November since records started being tracked—yes, that’s right, it’s not just dramatic commentary but a certified, data-backed reality.
Hardware Hits Rock Bottom
According to the magicians over at a certain market research firm, a staggering 1.6 million units of video game hardware made their way out the door during November 2025. That’s right—if anyone thinks the ‘90s were a high point for hardware sales, they clearly weren’t paying attention. The last time numbers were this low, the world was still grooving to boy bands and waiting for the next Star Wars flick. The number of units sold this time around is eerily reminiscent of 1995, when sales were even lower at 1.4 million units.
As if that wasn’t enough to send a chill down the spine of any console enthusiast, monthly hardware spending reached a mere $695 million last month. That number doesn’t just look sad; it’s a whopping 27% less than last year’s numbers. Seriously, folks, it’s the lowest hardware spending in a November since 2005. Maybe people were too busy trying to figure out how to pay off their holiday bills?
The Price is Right, or Not?
Normally, November is the time when people throw money at stores like confetti—thanks to Black Friday, holiday shopping, and a dash of desperation. This year, however, the average price for new video game hardware skyrocketed to an eye-watering $439. This marks an all-time high; it’s like getting a luxury sports car for the price of a mid-range sedan. If that doesn’t scream “bargain,” what does?
The Console War: May the Best Console Win
What about the console drama unfolding this season? The PlayStation 5 emerged as the glitzy headliner, taking top honors both in total units sold and cash spent. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch 2 played second fiddle, and the Xbox Series X/S came third in the wallet-busting category. The NEX Playground, however, somehow managed to sell units like hotcakes—because who wouldn’t want a piece of that action?
Software Sales: It’s Not Just Hardware that’s Crashing
When it rains, it pours! The software scene decided to join in on the misery, as physical software spending also took a nosedive. November saw a decline of 14% compared to the previous year, resulting in the lowest sales since the dawn of gaming metrics in 1995. But hold on! This statistic doesn’t include the billion-dollar digital sales juggernaut that took over last month. The digital market must have been throwing a party while its physical counterpart was left sobbing in the corner.
Call of Duty: The Franchise that’s Fumbling
In a twist that would rival any Shakespearean tragedy, the beloved franchise, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, was crowned the best-selling game of the month. Yet, like a star player limping off the field, it suffered significantly with “a double-digit percentage decline” in full game dollar sales from November of last year. The irony of a series that once ruled the sales charts finding itself on the decline is nothing short of poetic. Or is it just heartbreaking?
The Crystal Ball about Prices
So, what’s the future looking like? When quizzed about potential price reductions, the industry’s oracle—aka a senior director at the aforementioned research company—grimly concluded that “they likely cannot and will not.” Sounds encouraging, right? With rising tariffs and component costs, the roadmap ahead is starting to look like a treacherous path filled with doom and gloom. A sudden spike in prices could spell disaster for the dedicated gaming device market. Let’s just hope they don’t go the way of the dinosaur!
In short, November may have set records, but not the kind anyone would want on their gaming trophy shelf. This roller-coaster ride of hardware and software sales has left vibes resembling more of a bad comedy than an action-packed adventure. Stay tuned for what December brings—if it’s more of this, some might just be inclined to shut off their consoles and dip into the fascinating world of cat videos instead.
