Video Game Costs Could Increase Again — This Time for PlayStation Enthusiasts

Video gaming has historically been an expensive hobby, and recent updates indicate that prices might surge even further. Nintendo and Xbox have already upped their game and console prices, and now it appears that PlayStation players could be next.

In the most recent earnings call from Sony, Chief Financial Officer Lin Tao disclosed that the company is contemplating price hikes as a reaction to new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Although Tao did not specifically refer to the PlayStation 5, the gaming segment is still Sony’s most lucrative area. Just last month, Sony raised PS5 hardware prices in several countries outside the U.S., and the company also markets a high-end PS5 model for $700 domestically.

The financial repercussions of these tariffs are considerable. Per Bloomberg, Sony estimates a $700 million loss stemming from the new trade policies. Other Japanese firms are experiencing similar pressures — for instance, Toyota is dealing with a $1.2 billion tariff charge.

In spite of these difficulties, there is some positive news for Sony. The corporation anticipates selling 15 million PS5 units in the upcoming year — a projection that aligns with Nintendo’s estimates for its forthcoming Switch 2 console.

However, uncertainty looms. The shifting dynamics of the U.S.-China tariff environment complicate predictions regarding how long these price increases may persist or how severe they could become.

Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki has also proposed the possibility of producing PS5 consoles in the U.S. to avoid tariffs entirely, according to The Verge. Nonetheless, this would entail a substantial logistical change, as most PS5s are currently manufactured in China — a nation affected by tariffs of at least 30%.

The tariffs have only been in effect for about a month, but their repercussions are already being felt across the gaming sector. Xbox has recently raised prices on its hardware and software offerings in the U.S., a surprising decision given the late stage of the console generation. At the same time, Nintendo postponed preorders for the Switch 2 in the U.S. shortly after revealing its $450 price point — a delay that coincided with the tariff announcement. Although Nintendo eventually resumed preorders without altering the console’s price, some accessories did see price increases.

In conclusion, unless the tariffs are rescinded, gamers should prepare for additional price hikes in the near future.

UPDATE: May 14, 2025, 3:23 p.m. EDT — This article has been revised with further information from Sony’s earnings call.