In January 2025, video game hardware sales plunged 45% to $205 million, the lowest since 2020, amid a broader industry downturn. The PlayStation 5 still led the market, while digital sales rose, hinting at changing consumer preferences.

Best Buy offers the original Asus ROG Ally handheld gaming PC for $450, appealing to gamers with its lightweight design and robust performance. Despite the newer ROG Ally X's enhancements, this model remains compelling due to its affordability and ease of handling, particularly for users with smaller hands.

Razer has launched the Viper V3 Pro Faker Edition, a $179.99 gaming mouse designed with League of Legends star Faker. Featuring a unique red and black design, the mouse boasts advanced specs for competitive gamers.

Nintendo is gearing up to release the Switch 2, boasting significant hardware improvements including 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and an 8 nm SoC. Developers are hopeful that these upgrades will enhance game performance and ease porting challenges from current-gen consoles.

In a declining market, the PlayStation 5 led January 2025 U.S. console sales, topping both units and revenue. Despite a 15% drop in total video game sales year-over-year, hardware sales plummeted by 45%, reaching their lowest January total since 2020.

Highground and Respawn Entertainment launch exclusive Apex Legends-themed gaming accessories at Best Buy, including keyboards and mice designed around popular characters. With prices ranging from $140 to $275, these limited-edition items feature advanced tech and unique designs, urging fans to purchase before stocks run out.

GTA V's newest update brings ray tracing and more to PC, marking a significant shift in Rockstar's support for the platform. Despite a three-year delay, fans welcome the enhanced graphics and new features.

Nintendo is gearing up for the highly anticipated release of the Switch 2, expected later this year amid declining sales of the current Switch model. Analysts predict strong demand driven by popular franchises and backward compatibility, despite potential U.S. tariff challenges.

Scuf has unveiled the Valor Pro, a $100 wired controller for Xbox Series X, targeting gamers prioritizing build quality and performance over wireless flexibility. With enhanced rear paddles and precise controls, it challenges higher-priced rivals but lacks wireless convenience, which could deter some users.

Gaming titles are increasingly demanding, requiring high-end hardware for optimal performance, with several new releases like 'Final Fantasy VII Rebirth' and 'Alan Wake 2' challenging even modern PCs. Features such as ray tracing and DLSS amplify these demands, causing issues on both low and high-end setups, highlighting a trend in gaming that pushes technology boundaries.

The ABS Cyclone Aqua PC, featuring an RTX 4070, offers a solid gaming experience at under $1,200, presenting an attractive alternative to waiting for the pricier RTX 5070. It combines a Gigabyte RTX 4070 with an Intel Core i5 14400F for balanced performance, though buyers face challenges finding it at retail due to high demand.

Civilization 7's 2025 release brings stunning visuals and a rich soundtrack, but draws mixed reviews compared to its 2016 predecessor. The game runs on modest systems, yet high-end GPUs are advisable for optimal 4K performance, with a limited anti-aliasing option affecting gameplay.

The gaming hardware market, valued over $200 billion, is set to surpass $300 billion by 2026, driven by a 13.5% annual growth rate. Esports, specialized equipment demand, and tech advances fuel this expansion, attracting significant venture capital interest.

Ubisoft partners with Lexip to unveil a feudal Japan-themed accessory collection for Assassin's Creed Shadows, launching March 20, 2025. Despite their striking design, the peripherals' specs fall short of current gaming standards, potentially appealing more to fans of the franchise than competitive gamers.

Acer's Nitro 50 gaming PC, priced at $699.99, features a 14th Gen Intel processor and DDR5 RAM, offering futureproofing over typical RTX 3050 setups with older components. This PC supports smooth gameplay, but intensive games might need DLSS for optimal performance.

Nintendo is set to release the Nintendo Switch 2 in April 2025, promising backward compatibility with most Switch games. Fans can expect sequels to hit titles like Super Mario Odyssey, Animal Crossing, and Metroid Dread.

Nvidia's shift to CPU-based PhysX calculations for RTX 50 GPUs cripples performance in older games like Borderlands 2. This move phases out 32-bit PhysX support, reflecting Nvidia's strategy to retire outdated tech.

ASUS ROG Ally is now available at Best Buy for $449.99, a $200 reduction, making it an attractive option for gamers. This handheld PC offers superior graphics and versatility over the Steam Deck, despite its short battery life.

Valve continues to enhance the Steam Deck with software updates enhancing battery life, including a new frame limiter for longer gaming sessions. These updates, particularly beneficial for the OLED model, allow users to set custom power settings per game and are available in the Beta channel, with broader release expected soon.