US sales figures for May 2026 from the research firm Circana make grim reading for Sony and Microsoft. PlayStation 5 unit sales fell 58% year on year, its worst May since 2000, and Xbox Series had its weakest May ever. Nintendo’s Switch 2, by contrast, was the best-selling console of the month.
The numbers are from the US, but the trends behind them affect buyers in Spain too. Here is what they mean if you are thinking of buying a console.
Prices have gone up, not down
Normally, consoles get cheaper as they get older. This generation has done the opposite. Sony raised prices in April: in Europe, the PS5 Digital Edition now has a recommended price of €499.99, while the disc version stayed the same and the external disc drive fell to €79.99. Microsoft has already raised Xbox prices and has announced another global increase from 1 August.
What it means: if you were waiting for a big price drop on a PS5 or Xbox, it may not come soon. Deals during sales events such as Black Friday are the best bet.
Digital or disc?
With Sony planning to stop producing discs for new PlayStation games from 2028, the choice between a digital and a disc console matters more than it used to. A disc drive still lets you buy, sell and borrow second-hand games — useful for older titles — but new releases will increasingly be download-only.
Why Switch 2 is winning
The Switch 2 has now sold more than 5.9 million units in the US in its first year, second only to the Game Boy Advance in the speed of its start. Its appeal lies in its hybrid design, family-friendly games and a price that, while not cheap, looks reasonable next to rivals.
Our advice
- For families and portable play: Switch 2 is the obvious choice at the moment.
- For the biggest third-party games and best graphics: PS5 remains the strongest platform, but shop around for bundles.
- For Game Pass users: Xbox, or simply a PC, gives access to a huge library for a monthly fee — but check the new prices.
- Before buying: compare prices across retailers and check whether a bundle with a game is available, which often offers better value.
