The Nintendo Switch 2 helped push US video game spending higher in May 2026, even as PlayStation and Xbox recorded some of their weakest May hardware sales in years. New market data shows that Nintendo’s newest console remained the main force behind hardware demand, while Sony and Microsoft saw steep declines in unit sales.
Total US video game spending reached $4.2 billion during May, up 3% compared with the same month last year. Hardware spending also increased by 38%, although rising console prices played a major role in that growth. Higher prices can lift spending figures even when fewer systems are being sold.
Nintendo was the clear winner of the month. The Switch 2 reached 5.9 million units sold in the US during its first 12 months, making it Nintendo’s second fastest selling console in the country. Only the Game Boy Advance moved faster in its first year.
Switch 2 Maintains Strong Momentum in the US
The Switch 2 has continued to perform strongly since launch, helping Nintendo maintain a major lead in hardware sales. The console has benefited from steady demand, a familiar hybrid design, and a strong position in a market where console prices are increasing.
At 5.9 million units sold in its first year, the Switch 2 is close to the Game Boy Advance’s record of 6.5 million units during the same period. That places the new system ahead of many previous Nintendo platforms in early US sales.
| Hardware result for May 2026 | Reported outcome |
|---|---|
| Overall US hardware spending | Up 38% year over year |
| PlayStation hardware spending | Down 43% year over year |
| PS5 unit sales | Down 58% year over year |
| Xbox hardware unit sales | Lowest May result on record |
| Switch 2 US sales in first 12 months | 5.9 million units |
| Fastest selling Nintendo system in first year | Game Boy Advance at 6.5 million units |
The Switch 2 also helped physical game sales rise year over year in the United States, an important result for a market that has increasingly shifted toward digital purchases.
PlayStation and Xbox Face Their Weakest May Hardware Results
PlayStation hardware sales declined sharply in May. Spending on PlayStation hardware fell 43% compared with May 2025, while PS5 unit sales dropped 58%.
Despite that decline, PlayStation remained one of the strongest hardware brands in the market. The system still ranked behind Nintendo in unit sales, showing that the issue was a major slowdown rather than a complete collapse in demand.
Xbox had a more difficult month. Microsoft recorded its lowest number of Xbox console units sold for any May on record. Xbox hardware has faced a longer term decline in console sales, while Microsoft continues to place more attention on PC, cloud gaming, subscriptions, and releasing games across more platforms.
Price increases may have also affected the market. Sony’s recent PlayStation price rise had already taken effect by May, while Xbox is preparing another increase for Xbox Series X and Series S hardware on August 1, 2026.
007 First Light Leads a Busy Month for Game Sales
Hardware was the biggest talking point, but several major games also performed well during May. 007 First Light topped the monthly US game sales chart, ahead of Forza Horizon 6, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, and Subnautica 2.
The strong debut also pushed 007 First Light into fourth place among the best selling games of 2026 so far. Forza Horizon 6 followed closely behind in fifth place.
Resident Evil Requiem remained the best selling game of the year, followed by Crimson Desert and MLB The Show 26. LEGO Batman also entered the top 10 for the year.
May showed that the US games market can still grow even when major console brands face falling unit sales. Nintendo’s Switch 2 remains the key hardware success story, while PlayStation and Xbox will need stronger momentum in the months ahead.
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