All articles tagged with #consoles
An Aftermath Hours panel argues that rising hardware costs, Sony’s move toward disc-free distribution, and a shift toward PC and streamer-driven game consumption are making traditional consoles feel less essential, prompting questions about the continued relevance of PlayStation and Xbox in a digital-first gaming landscape.
Rockstar announced GTA VI preorder details for PS5/Xbox Series X/S, including an $80 base price and a $100 Ultimate Edition, with a disc-free launch. While gameplay footage remains scarce, the piece poses six big questions that will shape the game’s reception: can GTA VI deliver a true wow moment amid peak graphics, how its hybrid offline-online model will work (and whether GTA Online 2 could coexist or migrate from GTA Online), whether the Lucia/Jason romance and a modern Vice City can ground a more mature narrative, how Rockstar’s handcrafted approach might age amid shifting culture, and whether rising console prices and RAM shortages could affect its system-selling potential. Development began in earnest around 2020, and the article situates GTA VI within broader industry trends toward live-service, AI debates, and the RAMpocalypse that could shape its launch dynamics.
Industry forecasts indicate RAM prices will stay elevated through 2028 due to AI-driven demand and supply constraints, with analysts warning of continued price hikes for PCs and consoles and potential delays for next-gen hardware like PlayStation 6.
Grand Theft Auto VI is poised to be a system seller, but the rapid price hikes on PS5 and Xbox Series consoles—and rising component costs—could curb uptake, prompting many prospective players to delay upgrades or wait for cheaper hardware even as GTA VI looms.
Microsoft is hiking Xbox prices again due to higher memory/storage costs: 512GB models jump $100, 1TB models $150, with the Series S starting at $499.99 and the Series X (no disc) at $749.99 or $799.99 with a disc drive; the 2TB Series X is being sunset. The company is also offering new financing options (BNPL and Amazon financing) and will work with retailers to provide lower prices on previously played consoles amid the ongoing component crisis.
Microsoft’s Xbox arm announces global price increases effective August 1, 2026: 512GB models up $100 and 1TB models up $150, with the 2TB variant being retired. The rise is driven by surging storage/memory costs amid a components crisis. To ease access, new programs include Buy Now, Pay Later on Microsoft Stores, 0% APR financing via Amazon for eligible hardware, trade-in options with retailers for lower prices, and certified refurbished consoles up to $100 off MSRP, with Xbox Series S highlighted as the most affordable way to play this year’s major titles.
Obsidian’s promise of a free upgrade to The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition ran into console entitlement problems on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with base-version owners sometimes still needing the expansion pass after the base game was delisted. The issue has prompted official workarounds and frustration from players, while PC users reported mixed results. Obsidian is directing affected players to support to resolve cases.
Best Buy’s Memorial Day sale runs through May 25 with over 1,300 gaming items on discount, featuring deep deals on Nintendo Switch titles (and Switch 2), PS5 and Xbox games, plus hardware and accessories—highlighted by the Rog Ally at $500, Elgato capture gear, and discounted controllers, headsets, and more.
Lacrosse 26 is launching on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on April 24 for $34.99, with a PC port hoped for later. The game features a new engine, skill-based shooting, stick/body checks, and dynamic dodging with improved AI, while there is no official licensing with PLL or NLL at launch. A future licensing partnership is possible, and ESPN hall-of-famer Eamon McAnaney will provide commentary. The team aims to release updates faster going forward.
Creative Bloq curates a list of retro gaming consoles to consider, highlighting Evercade, Atari, Nintendo, Sega and PlayStation options, including renewed models like PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360; the piece notes refurbished units from retailers and affiliate links as a practical guide for retro-gaming fans.
Microsoft’s Gaming Copilot, an AI gaming assistant first shown for PC/Windows handhelds, is headed to Xbox Series X/S consoles in 2026, with a later-year expansion to additional services. It will offer in-game recommendations, help players overcome obstacles, brainstorm strategies, and provide personalized coaching via voice chat, as part of a broader push to bring AI-assisted features to more platforms.
A NewZoo 80-page report predicts PC gaming will become the top revenue driver by 2028, with PC earnings surpassing consoles and possibly reaching nearly 1 billion players. Growth is driven by Asian expansion, a surge of Gen Z/Alpha gamers, higher selling prices, and Valve’s ecosystem expansion, while indie and sub-$30 to $50 PC games boost affordability and free-to-play revenue. Console playtime has declined in recent years, and top PC titles fueling the surge include Roblox, Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, Minecraft, Fortnite, Dota 2, and VALORANT.
Generative AI is driving up RAM and overall costs for consumer electronics, contributing to shortages (like Steam Decks) and fueling talk that the next console generation (PS6/Xbox) could be delayed. The piece weighs whether a longer cycle makes sense—allowing more time to play current games and catch up on a backlog, but risking continued price shocks and diminished momentum—while suggesting retro gaming as a more affordable alternative. Public reaction is mixed: some welcome delaying the new tech, others want to move forward and see how things evolve.
Nintendo’s original Switch has become the company’s best-selling console ever with 155.37 million units sold by December 31, 2025, surpassing the DS's 154.02 million. The Switch 2 fueled a holiday surge and is on track to meet a 19 million fiscal-2026 target, supported by strong software sales (e.g., Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza) and solid quarterly revenue and profit.
Nintendo reports that the Switch has outsold the Nintendo DS, reaching about 155.37 million units worldwide compared with DS’s 154.02 million, making it Nintendo’s best-selling system ever. The PlayStation 2 still holds the overall hardware lead at around 160.63 million. With Switch 2 on the horizon, it could keep the momentum, though the original Switch remains in production.