Veteran PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida believes that PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 should have their lifespans extended amongst the ongoing rise in hardware costs.
With the PlayStation 6 generation expected to start in late 2028, Yoshida believes that the prices of next-gen consoles will only be possible for most gamers via phone-like subscription plans. “If it’s over $1,000 hardware price, and it basically comes with the services, maybe $300 a year or $400 a year. A $50 a month subscription, how’s that?” he asked The Verge.
Yoshida, who left PlayStation in 2025, explained that Sony has the audience to wait instead of forcing out a new generation that few can afford. “While Sony and Nintendo have sold enough numbers of current-generation hardware, because of the cost of goods, they might be looking [at] pushing back the launch of next gen,” he said.
The PlayStation veteran added that many users don’t even want to upgrade right now as it feels like the generation has barely started. “I think they should try to keep the current generation as long as possible because I think people are very happy using PS5 and Switch 2,” he said.
“People have finite budget, and it feels like PC and consoles, the components very specific to these devices have increased the price way more than all the other forms of entertainment,” he continued. “People who have systems like PS5, Switch 2 or good enough PCs, probably will be happy to play games on them, and not necessarily consider replacing them.”
While Yoshida knows some players want to upgrade, the majority of them are not. “I don’t think lots of people are asking for ‘more power. We need more power’. Or even developers. I don’t think developers are asking [for] better hardware like that. So, I think, that means the current generation, Sony and Nintendo, are going to do pretty well for many years to come.”
Following the massive cross-gen period of PS4 and Xbox One, it’s expected that the PS5 and Xbox Series’ cross-gen periods will be even longer. Outside of ray-tracing and upscaling improvements, there have been few major rendering features that would mark for a generational improvement which should ensure a long life for all current-gen consoles, especially Switch 2.
With that said, Yoshida does note that Xbox is an outlier in this regard with Project Helix seemingly being designed as a new form of console rather than a simply Xbox Series successor. “Xbox is a team who wants to change the competing landscape,” he explained. Adding that the future is “very exciting” for the company.
Yoshida’s comments aren’t controversial. The PlayStation legend’s thoughts echo many fans right now. While the PlayStation 5 has been around for a while, it doesn’t feel out of date, and with few exclusives over its six year lifespan, there’s an expectation that players deserve to get more out of their machines.
With next-gen consoles seemingly planned to launch with $1,000 price tags, there’s also an expectation that the next generation will struggle to get off the ground. While some consumers may want to upgrade, the sheer cost will limit how many people realistically can or will, especially as the PS5 is still a viable piece of kit.
