Ex-PlayStation exec Yoshida: Sony and Nintendo should delay next-gen as Xbox pushes forward

Shuhei Yoshida, the former PlayStation executive, believes Sony and Nintendo should hold off on launching new consoles and extend the current generation as long as possible—even as Xbox moves ahead with its next-gen Project Helix hardware.

In an interview with The Verge, Yoshida argued that players remain satisfied with existing hardware like PS5 and Switch 2, and that neither consumers nor developers are demanding more powerful systems yet. “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.”

Yoshida acknowledged that Xbox faces different pressures. The company is exploring new business models for Project Helix—potentially including subscription-based access to hardware. When asked whether Xbox might charge $200 annually for a phone-based subscription model, Yoshida suggested the actual cost would likely be higher. “Well, $200 a year might not be enough, right? If it’s over $1,000 [for the] 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?”

Why PlayStation and Nintendo might wait

Sony and Nintendo have already sold strong numbers of current-generation hardware, Yoshida explained, which gives them less urgency to rush a new launch. Rising component costs mean developers and players alike are hesitant to absorb the price of new systems. “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,” he said.

Yoshida used his own experience as an example: he delayed replacing a five-year-old gaming PC due to recent price increases, and expects many consumers to make similar calculations. He also noted that developers aren’t signaling a need for next-gen hardware. “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 ‘we need better hardware’.”

Xbox’s different position

Xbox, by contrast, is under more pressure to make a generational leap. The Xbox Series X/S has trailed PS5 in sales, and the company is pursuing a broader strategic shift—combining more powerful hardware with PC game compatibility and changes to how players access the Xbox ecosystem. “Xbox is a team who wants to change the competing landscape,” Yoshida said. “So it’s going to be hard for them, but it’s their time to play. So it’s very exciting, you know, what’s going to happen next year.”

Why it matters

Yoshida’s comments reflect a broader industry question: whether console generations need to come faster, or whether the current cycle can sustain itself longer. If Sony and Nintendo do extend PS5 and Switch 2 lifecycles, players benefit from more time to build game libraries and avoid the cost of new hardware—but it also means fewer technical upgrades and potentially fewer new exclusive titles designed specifically for next-gen systems. For Xbox, the push to move faster could position it as the early mover in a new hardware era, but only if its Project Helix strategy and subscription model gain traction with players.

The durability of PS5 and Switch 2 also depends on third-party publisher support; if major studios decide next-gen development is necessary sooner, either platform could face a drought of new AAA releases. Yoshida’s view suggests the market is not yet demanding that shift.