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PlayStation 5 leads September 2026 U.S. console sales
PlayStation 5 outperformed Xbox Series and Nintendo Switch 2 in U.S. console sales, as overall hardware spending rose while unit sales slipped.
22 Oct 2026 0 reads Compiled with AI
In September 2026, overall U.S. video‑game hardware spending rose 12% to $362 million, but total unit sales slipped 3% year‑over‑year. PlayStation 5 units were up 22%, while Xbox Series X and S units fell 27% and Nintendo Switch 2 units dropped 14% in the same period.
PlayStation 5 dollar sales grew 43% YoY, giving Sony the highest share of the hardware market since May 2025. The console also topped unit and dollar sales for the month.
Xbox Series X and S sales hit a new all‑time September low. Unit sales fell 27% and overall spending on the consoles dropped 2%. Rising prices and ongoing component shortages are cited as key factors, and Xbox has recently stopped sharing digital sales data with Circana, which may affect future estimates.
Nintendo Switch 2 sales were down 12% in spending and 14% in units. The upcoming release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake could boost sales later in the year, but its impact remains to be seen. Nintendo’s trend mirrors broader market pressure while the brand has historically shown resilience.