Waiting to buy a game console will cost you

"Established wisdom used to be that buying a game console at launch was a bad idea. It was the worst-possible version of the experience: launch consoles cost more and had fewer games, and often these consoles got not only cheaper but better over time, through revisions that made them smaller or added features. For the current generation, though, those who bought at launch look like geniuses - video game consoles just keep getting more expensive. And it couldn't come at a worse time for the industry."

"The most recent example comes from Microsoft, which just raised the price of its current Xbox lineup so that the more expensive model now costs $150 more than it did at launch. Last week's price bumps saw the Xbox Series X reach $649.99, while its smaller sibling is now $399.99. Part of what makes these hikes sting so much is that they aren't the first; both Xbox consoles had their prices increased this May, and in 2023 the Series X got a bump in many countries outside the US. To put that in perspective, when it launched in 2020, the Series X cost $499. That now seems like a steal."

Buying a game console at launch was traditionally risky because launch consoles cost more, had fewer games, and often improved or dropped in price through later revisions. The current generation has inverted that pattern as console prices continue to climb, making early purchasers appear fortunate. Microsoft increased Xbox prices, raising the Series X to $649.99 and the smaller model to $399.99, following earlier hikes in May and regional increases in 2023. The Series X originally launched at $499 in 2020. Rising hardware costs reduce consumer affordability and add strain to the gaming market amid wider economic pressures.

Read at The Verge