Will Video Game Prices Continue to Rise in 2026?

The gaming industry has faced significant economic pressure, resulting in a minimum retail price of $70 for AAA titles. Rising development costs, hardware prices, and economic uncertainty have raised concerns about further price inflation in 2026. Leading analysts predict that prices may continue to rise due to increasing AAA development costs, tariff uncertainty, and rising hardware costs. The industry has established a new psychological floor at $70 with premium releases, but some experts believe that prices may not rise further. However, the inflation of in-app purchases and in-game monetisation may continue to impact the industry. Nintendo's decision to list its flagship Switch 2 title for $80 has set a precedent, and other major platform holders may follow suit. The success of titles like GTA 6 may also influence pricing, with some experts predicting that it could retail for $100. However, others believe that the standard version will likely sit between $70 to $80, with deluxe editions and digital bundles potentially exceeding $100. The long-term implications of pricing precedents set by major platform holders and the impact of inflation on the industry will be closely watched in the coming year.