Hardware Sales
Ongoing coverage on Hardware Sales.
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PS5 Price Hike Has Flushed UK Hardware Sales Down the Toilet
Sony's PlayStation 5 hardware sales in the UK fell by 50% in May following a price increase, with the console barely outselling the Xbox Series X|S. While Microsoft's console saw a 12% rise in sales, the Nintendo Switch outperformed both. The article suggests that some PS5 sales may have been brought forward due to the price hike.
PlayStation first-party game sales show a decline since 2020
Sony's first-party PlayStation game sales have seen a consistent decline since 2020, dropping from 58.4 million units in FY2020 to 28.9 million in FY2024, with a slight increase to 32.1 million in FY2025. This trend coincides with the launch of the PlayStation 5 and the performance of titles like The Last of Us Part II and Ghost of Tsushima, while more recent releases like Astro Bot and Concord have had mixed results. Hardware sales for the PlayStation 5 have also decreased year-on-year.
Japanese Charts: Switch 2 Sneaks In Some Huge Numbers Ahead Of The Price Rise
The Nintendo Switch 2 dominated Japanese hardware sales with 247,880 units sold in the week of May 18-24, likely driven by an upcoming price increase. Software sales were led by Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book also performing well. The PlayStation 5 Digital Edition saw a bump in sales, but overall PlayStation 5 models combined sold fewer units than all Nintendo Switch variants.
"The Wii U Was On Life Support" - Reggie Restates The NES & SNES Classic's True Purpose
Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé stated that the NES and SNES Classic systems were launched to sustain Nintendo's business during the Wii U's decline. He explained that these mini consoles were crucial for generating holiday sales volume while the company awaited the launch of the Nintendo Switch. Fils-Aimé candidly admitted these were commercial ideas to bridge the gap, acknowledging the Wii U was effectively on life support.
Japanese Charts: Switch 2 Sales Continue To Spike Ahead Of Price Increase
Nintendo Switch hardware sales in Japan have seen a significant spike ahead of an upcoming price increase. The Nintendo Switch 2 model sold 217,922 units in one week, surpassing the previous week's total. The original Nintendo Switch models also continue to perform well, outselling the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles in the region.
Famitsu sales (5/11/26 – 5/17/26) – big Nintendo Switch 2 sales ahead of price increase
Famitsu reports the latest Japanese hardware sales figures, with the Nintendo Switch 2 leading sales at 217,922 units. Software charts show Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream at the top, followed by several Nintendo Switch 2 titles like Pokemon Pokopia and Mario Kart World. The data also includes sales for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles.
PC Game Pass Revenue Growth Outpaces Traditional Console Market In 2026
Microsoft's Q3 2026 earnings reveal a significant decline in Xbox hardware revenue, contrasting with the surge in the PC gaming market. The company is recalibrating its strategy to prioritize PC Game Pass, lowering its subscription price to attract the vast PC player base and combat high churn rates by focusing on esports and live service games for retention.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream Tops US Sales Charts for April 2026
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream for Nintendo Switch topped US game sales charts in April 2026, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella. Hardware sales also saw a significant year-on-year increase, largely driven by the new Nintendo Switch 2, which outsold the original Switch and surpassed the PlayStation 5 in both unit and revenue generation for the month and year-to-date. Other top-selling games included Pragmata, Crimson Desert, and MLB: The Show 26.
Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream Beat Every Other Game In The US Last Month
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream was the best-selling game in the US for April 2026, generating over $41 million in sales and becoming the ninth best-selling game of the year. Overall consumer spending in the US reached $4.3 billion for the month, a 3% increase year-over-year, with Nintendo's Switch 2 console leading hardware sales.
Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream Beat Every Other Game In The US Last Month
US video game spending reached $4.3 billion in April 2026, a 3% increase year-over-year, with Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream topping sales charts. Nintendo's Switch 2 was the best-selling hardware platform, driving a 44% increase in new physical software sales.
Xbox Is Rebranding Itself, Sort Of
Xbox, under CEO Asha Sharma, has seemingly rebranded its social media accounts to all caps "XBOX," mirroring the original console's naming convention. This change follows a fan poll and may be an effort to evoke nostalgia amidst recent hardware and game sales declines. The company is also adjusting its Game Pass strategy, with Call of Duty titles no longer receiving day-one access.
Japanese Charts: Tomodachi Life Overtakes Pokopia As The Best-Selling 2026 Release
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream has become the best-selling physical release of 2026 in Japan, selling nearly 300,000 units during the Golden Week sales period. The Nintendo Switch 2 console also saw strong sales, moving over 214,000 units. Pokémon Pokopia remains a strong seller, securing the second position.
Game Consoles Are Pricing Themselves Out of Relevance
The increasing price of game consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X is making them less relevant to a growing audience, especially younger gamers who are accustomed to more affordable or free-to-play experiences on PC and mobile. Analysts predict future consoles could cost as much as $900, a price point that, combined with stagnating graphical advancements and the increasing availability of games on PC, may alienate consumers. This trend is further exacerbated by declining hardware sales and rising component costs due to factors like inflation and supply chain issues.
Famitsu sales (4/27/26 – 5/10/26) – big numbers for Nintendo Switch 2
Famitsu has released Japanese hardware and software sales data for the period of April 27 to May 10, 2026. The Nintendo Switch 2 led hardware sales with over 214,000 units, while Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream was the best-selling software title. The data reflects two weeks of sales due to recent Japanese holidays.
Nintendo says Switch 2 sales are picking up in the west, not concerned about momentum, “wealth of new titles” on the way
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa stated that Nintendo Switch 2 sales have improved in Western markets since the start of the year, driven by titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Pokemon Pokopia. The company forecasts 16.5 million units sold in the upcoming fiscal year and is confident in its momentum, emphasizing the importance of upcoming system-selling titles to encourage player transitions.
Nintendo Switch 2 Nears 20 Million Units Sold, But Fiscal Year 2027 Forecast is Down
Nintendo's latest financial report indicates the Nintendo Switch 2 has sold 19.86 million units as of March 31, 2026, with 2.49 million units sold in the last quarter. Despite strong initial adoption and software sales, Nintendo forecasts a year-on-year decline in Switch 2 sales for fiscal year 2027, attributing this to sales being concentrated in the launch year and recent price revisions.
Sunday Consolidation
Sony is reportedly encouraging PlayStation 4 owners to upgrade to the PlayStation 5 console. This push is happening in anticipation of the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6, suggesting a strategy to maximize hardware sales before the highly anticipated game launches.
Nintendo Switch And Switch 2 Updated Sales Numbers Announced
Nintendo has released updated sales figures for the Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, as of March 31, 2026. The Nintendo Switch has sold 155.92 million units, while the Switch 2 has reached 19.86 million units. The report also details sales for top-selling first-party titles on both consoles.
Nintendo president wants Switch 2 to have long lifespan similar to original Switch
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa aims for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 to have a long lifespan, similar to the original Nintendo Switch. The company plans to achieve this by growing its user base and increasing hardware and software sales over time. Stock for the Nintendo Switch 2 has reportedly stabilized.
Nintendo's President Apparently Wants Switch 2 To Match The Long Lifespan Of The Original System
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa aims for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 to have a long lifespan, mirroring the success of the original Nintendo Switch. This strategy involves building the user base and growing hardware and software sales over time, similar to how evergreen titles sustained the original system.
