The general trend is positive, but the video game hardware market is under high pressure.

Dmitriy Byshonkov

Jun 29, 2026

Market Overview

In May 2026, U.S. consumers spent $4.2 billion on video games - up 3% year-over-year. The growth was driven by 007 First Light and the Nintendo Switch 2.

Through the first five months, total spending rose 4% YoY to $23 billion.

Content spending grew 1% YoY in May, reaching $3.8 billion. Year-to-date, content spending is 3% ahead of last year, at $20.4 billion.

The console segment was the main driver of content growth in May, with spending up 25% YoY. Through five months, console content revenue is up 13%. PC content (+15% YoY) and subscriptions (+11%) also grew in May.

A word from our sponsor

Still paying for impressions and clicks that never convert? Advertise your PC game with PWN Games! With our CPA model, you only pay when a player installs, engages, or pays. 250+ PC games promoted, 42M+ players acquired, 10 years in the business. Trusted by top PC game publishers worldwide.

Explore PWN Games

Hardware spending climbed 38% YoY to $249 million. The Nintendo Switch 2 offset a 43% decline in PlayStation 5 dollar sales (and an even steeper 58% drop in units) following recent price increases. Xbox Series S|X spending rose 7% YoY, though units fell 12%.

?? Expect a decline next month. June will be the first time Circana’s data includes a comparable Switch 2 launch month, meaning the count will now run against last year’s high base.

The Nintendo Switch 2 was once again the leader in both units sold and revenue - in May and year-to-date for 2026. The PlayStation 5 ranked second on both measures across both periods.

In its first year on the market, the Nintendo Switch 2 sold 5.9 million units in the U.S. That makes it the second fastest-selling gaming device in the history of the U.S. market (data tracked since 1995). Only the Game Boy Advance sold better (6.5 million units in 12 months).

PlayStation, on the other hand, posted its weakest May in unit sales since May 2000. Xbox unit sales were the weakest for any May on record.

The average price of a new piece of gaming hardware reached $502 in May, which is up 14% from a year ago ($440). The average PlayStation 5 price rose 33% YoY to $672, and Xbox Series climbed 22% to $524.

Accessories spending grew 8% YoY to $168 million.

Sales of racing wheels and accessories surged 95% YoY on the back of Forza Horizon 6’s launch. The best-selling wheel of May was the Logitech G29 Driving Force Racing Wheel.

Game Sales

?? Since spring 2026, Circana has published its charts as projected estimates (Projected Top 10) for physical and full-game digital sales (excluding mobile and in-game content).

007 First Light was the best-selling game of May in the U.S. The title topped the May chart on PlayStation and debuted in 4th place in year-to-date sales across all platforms.

007 First Light posted the best launch of any James Bond game, counting its first month of sales.

Forza Horizon 6 was the second best-selling game of the month. It led May full-game sales on both Xbox and PC. In the five-month chart, the game ranks 5th.

Through the first five months of 2026, Resident Evil: Requiem holds onto first place in sales.

On mobile (data from Sensor Tower; rank change from April in parentheses), the top 10 by revenue features the same familiar titles: MONOPOLY GO!, Royal Match, Candy Crush Saga (+1), Gossip Harbor (+1), Kingshot (+1), Last War: Survival (-3), Whiteout Survival, Township, Royal Kingdom, and Garena Free Fire.

Last War: Survival dropped three spots to 6th, with revenue down 30% month-over-month. The decline followed the publisher's pause of its U.S. ad spend in mid-April. The reason behind that decision has not been disclosed.

Among mobile newcomers, Clash of Critters by Farlight Games stands out.