Console gaming just got a reality check. New Circana figures reported this week show US hardware sales fell to their lowest August total since 2013, while the average price of a new console hit a record high for the month. If you've been wondering whether now is the time to buy a new system, the numbers suggest a lot of players are deciding to wait.
That changes where your money works hardest. This roundup covers the sales data, a tougher anti-cheat stance from Arc Raiders, and what both mean for how you spend on your setup.
Quick List
- US console sales hit an August low as prices set a record
- Arc Raiders tightens anti-cheat penalties
- What this means for your setup
US Console Sales Hit Their Lowest August Since 2013
According to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella, as reported by GamingBolt and TechSpot, US hardware spending in August 2026 fell 3% year over year to $302 million. Unit sales dropped 15% to 559,000, the lowest August total since 2013. Year to date, hardware spending is $2.5 billion, down 11% from 2025.
The average price of new hardware reached an August record of $541, up from $476 a year earlier, with price hikes cited as a factor.
| Platform | August unit sales | August dollar sales |
| PlayStation (PS5) | Down 11% | Up 17% |
| Xbox Series X|S | Down 31% | Down 13% |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Down 15% | Down 13% |
Switch 2 led the market in both units and dollars for August and year to date, with PS5 second, per the same reports.
Arc Raiders Gets Stricter on Cheating
Ahead of its October 8 update, Arc Raiders announced tougher anti-cheat rules, according to TweakTown. Highlights include in-house AI detection working alongside kernel-level protection, permanent bans for known cheat programs with immediate action on accounts caught cheating, restrictions on reusing a sanctioned game copy on another account, and an expanded hardware-ban system planned for later this year.
The coverage focuses on cheat programs and does not single out controllers or peripherals. Still, the direction across competitive games is clear: developers are investing heavily in detection. Separately, TalkEsport reported in September that Apex Legends is rolling out detection aimed at modified controllers and external devices.
What This Means for You
With console prices at record highs and many players holding onto the hardware they own, the controller is the most affordable place to feel a real upgrade. Every ModdedZone controller starts from authentic, brand-new first-party Sony or Microsoft hardware, and adaptive triggers and haptics stay fully functional on PS5 builds.
- On PS5: the PS5 Customizer starts at $84.99 and ships with Hall Effect thumbsticks standard.
- On Xbox: the Xbox Series X|S Customizer starts at $79.95 and uses genuine Microsoft hardware.
- Want it built for you? Browse the Xbox Signature Edition and PS5 Signature Edition collections.
A Note on Performance Mods and Competitive Rules
Mods such as Rapid Fire or Anti-Recoil available through MZ Titan OS may conflict with the ranked or competitive terms of service of specific games, and enforcement is getting stricter. Always check each game's current rules before using performance mods online. Cosmetic changes, Hall Effect sticks and paddles are a different matter from scripted inputs, so know which features you're enabling.
Bottom Line
Fewer people are buying new consoles at higher prices, and anti-cheat is getting sharper. Both point the same way: invest in a quality controller you can trust, and know the rules of the games you play. Ready to upgrade? Start with the PS5 Customizer or the Xbox Series X|S Customizer.
