Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo Increase Console Prices Amid US Trade Tariffs

Following President Donald Trump's tariff policies, major video game companies including Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft have increased the prices of their consoles, with Sony raising the PlayStation 5 price by $50 to $549.99. These price hikes reflect the challenging economic environment driven by tariffs and rising costs, with the Trump administration collecting over $130 billion from new tariffs, which economists believe will continue to push consumer prices higher. While Sony did not explicitly link the price increase to tariffs, the impact of a 15% tariff on imports from Japan, Sony's home country, is evident. Nintendo and Microsoft have also cited market conditions and rising development costs as reasons for their price increases. Additionally, the price of new video games has grown, partly due to inflation and the high cost of producing AAA titles, with base prices now around $69.99 and some popular franchises even selling for up to $90. The increases have raised concerns about gaming becoming more of a luxury than an accessible hobby for many consumers.