PS5 sales climbed in September despite the August price hike, signaling that demand for Sony’s console remains resilient. Fresh Circana retail data shared by industry analyst Matt Piscatella shows PlayStation 5 unit sales in the U.S. rose by more than 10% month over month, even as the average selling price increased by a high single-digit percentage. Another milestone underscores the momentum: the PS5’s installed base in the U.S. has already surpassed that of the PS3.
Sony raised prices in August, pushing the PS5 Digital Edition from $449.99 to $499.99. The disc-drive model and the PS5 Pro each went up by $50 as well, to $549.99 and $749.99 respectively. Despite these higher price points, there is no sign of buyer hesitation. The numbers point to a console that continues to convert new customers while growing its footprint among existing PlayStation fans.
The overall market helped. U.S. consumers spent 10% more on video game hardware, accessories, and content in September compared to the same month last year, a lift that likely cushioned any potential drag from inflation and higher console prices. A wave of notable releases gave gamers even more reasons to upgrade or jump into the ecosystem.
Borderlands 4 led combined physical and digital sales across all platforms, while NBA 2K26 took the top spot specifically on PS5. On Sony’s console, Gearbox’s looter shooter ranked third, trailing only Ghost of Yotei. Dependable annual sports franchises such as EA Sports FC 26 and Madden NFL 26 also contributed to strong hardware sell-through, as they often do early in the season.
Even Microsoft’s systems benefited from the rising tide, with Xbox Series X and S posting a slight uptick in September. Still, the headline remains PlayStation’s strength. Sony previously highlighted more than 80 million PS5s sold worldwide since its 2020 launch. While the PS3 ultimately reached an estimated 87 million units globally over its lifecycle, the PS5 has already overtaken it in the U.S. installed base.
The takeaway is straightforward: price increases didn’t dent PS5 momentum. With major fall and holiday releases landing, and a growing library that spans blockbuster action RPGs, sports heavyweights, and multiplayer hits, the PlayStation 5 is entering the year’s busiest shopping season with clear tailwinds. For shoppers weighing when to buy, recent demand suggests that waiting for long might mean competing with more buyers as new games and promotions roll out.
