So it seems so far the majority would not go over $600; that makes PS6/Helix likely off limits to much of our community for quite some time.

Personally, I expect I'll be set for the rest of the Switch 2's life, though I may be tempted later if some mind-blowing new exclusive comes along that I can't miss out on. Hopefully by the time Nintendo's next system arrives in the 2030s the market's less fucked.

Nothing over 500. Don't care what the economy is like. I would prefer 400 obviously but I did buy that fat PS3 at launch, bavk in the day, one of the few who didn't complain but if I had a time machine I'd slap myself for doing that. I guess, the PS5 is priced perfectly for the times we are in, or at least it was when I bought it at 450 (disc drive slim) I'm starting to get really disenfranchised with AAA games now so I don't need some fancy new box for slightly better graphics. So many AAA games are passing me by and I'm like, eh, I'll see ya when you're 20 euro. I just seen Pirate Yakuza on sale on PSN for 16 euro, that's 75% off what was a AA game. I don't understand why people aren't waiting for sales and sticking it to them. Gamers are addicts, no different and I know cause I've went hungry in the past to buy games but this shit hits different. 80 euro games and talking about 90 in this economy while AA games landslide GOTY awards and indies give dozens of way more entertaining hours of gameplay than the AAA games. If I wasn't stricken with burn out I'd still not waste my money on day one releases.... well apart from a few, DS2 got me and GTA 6 will probably get me even if it's a mess.

400 euro used. Maybe a bit more if it includes a game.

Since the world is gone digital, probably switch to PC gaming as no need for consoles anymore

62 cents

The thing is, even If I currently see no reason to buy new hardware, if they actually innovate in a meaningful way and giving me some other reason than higher power I might consider buying it. Mind you I'm talking about some upgrade on the same level as when modern smart phones with touch screens got released.
In that case my limit is probably around 1500$.

Without that type of "revolution" in the gaming market I won't buy it even if it is cheap.

Difficult question. I could see myself spending €500 on a PS6 hybrid console - if it's indeed a proper hybrid like the Switch (2). But Switch 2 is getting so many third party games, I might just skip the PS6 entirely.

As for project Helix, it depends on how much of a PC it is. I've been thinking about buying or building a gaming PC for some time now, I really want to install mods and have an easy way to access retro games via emulation. If Helix does all that, I could see myself spending €1,000 on it. But I guess a gaming PC is the more likely option for me in the long run.

My limit is 500 Euros. If a new console is more expensive, I will just keep on playing on my existing hardware. Luckily I got gifted a PS5 Pro. I would have never bought that thing myself. Already far too expensive, even before the price hikes. I expect games to release cross-gen for quite some time, so I don't worry too much. The Switch 2 should also keep me busy for a few years.

I just realized I really miss actual, well... handheld consoles. You know, like in days past. We're all shivering at the thought of the next gen consoles being $/€699 or more. How great would it be if there were also simple, cheap handheld consoles as alternatives.

I think the gaming market really is ready to be disrupted by a new Game Boy for example. Something small and light, with easy-to-develop games on it. Withered technology for $/€99. Plays cool little games that cost 30 bucks a pop. Very pocketable. I also miss the DS / 3DS at this point. It's been ten years since we've had new dual screen gaming experiences. I would gladly shell out some money for these kinds of hardware. Gaming really has changed the past few years.

Am I missing something, or is it true to say that most games are skipping the Switch 2? Battlefield 6 for example. Every single racing game, most of the games are skipping it because maybe it cannot run them? GTA 6? For example.  The new Mario Kart isn't that good either. I have a Switch 2, PS5 Pro, Series X and gaming PC (laptop). I was hyped for the Switch 2 but it's already getting a bit dated. I know there's clearly a place for it, and there's plenty of great/fun games that don't rely on graphics as such but surely we all need either a PC, Helix or PS6 too? and that will cost over 700 Dollars for sure with hardware prices at the moment unfortunately. I agree with the post above, that we all need a cheap/fun handheld but what we all want is a mini PS2 to launch, or a Mini Original Xbox/Gamecube. Things we can buy for say $129 that come with games built in and 2 controllers. Now's the time to release old tech, at cheap prices but mini and fun. Handhelds, home consoles etc