Are Gamers Ready for €600 to €700 Consoles?

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As the game industry looks ahead to the next generation of consoles, many analysts now agree that the era of the €400 flagship system is over. New predictions suggest that the PlayStation 6 could launch with a price increase of €150 to €200 compared to current models. If that happens, Sony’s next console would likely cost well over €600, a price point that has often made players hesitate in the past.

The main reason behind this shift is the rising cost of hardware. Key parts such as high-speed RAM and GDDR memory remain hard to source, and new processors like the rumored AMD Zen 6 are becoming more expensive to design and produce. Because of this, console makers can no longer count on lowering prices later in the generation. Industry analysts, including Circana’s Mat Piscatella, have pointed out that console prices are now staying high or even rising over time, which is a major change from earlier generations.

Online discussions often question whether a €600 to €700 console makes sense when many new releases are remasters or older games running through backward compatibility. While some fans argue that stronger hardware could still be worth the cost, there is a growing worry that gaming could become too expensive for a large part of the audience.

The situation becomes even more complex when looking at the competition. Sony is said to be aiming for a balance between power and price, with the PlayStation 6 expected around 2027 or 2028. Microsoft, on the other hand, may be taking a very different path. Rumors suggest that the next Xbox could be closer to a high-end PC, with prices possibly ranging from €800 to €1,200. This rumored “Magnus” system would focus on top performance and blur the line between consoles and gaming PCs.

Nintendo has already shown signs of this industry-wide price shift. The Switch 2 launched in June 2025 at €449.99, signaling a higher starting point for modern consoles. While it remains the most affordable option among the major platforms, prices for accessories and older models have changed due to tariffs and material costs.

As official announcements for the next generation get closer, Sony and Microsoft will face the same challenge: proving that their new consoles are worth a price that many players may struggle to afford. In short, the industry’s shift toward “value-driven strategies” over volume means that while these prices are becoming the new reality, they may lead to slower adoption and a potential shrinking of the console-buying audience.