The Nintendo Switch 2 Helped Drive US Video Game Spending Growth in May 2026, while PlayStation and Xbox had their Worst May in Over Two Decades

June 27, 2026 - 00:12

US video game spending saw a boost in May 2026, driven largely by the ongoing momentum of the Nintendo Switch 2. According to industry data, total consumer spending on video game hardware, software, and accessories rose compared to the same month last year. The new Nintendo console was the primary catalyst, offsetting a significant slump from its main competitors.

Both PlayStation and Xbox recorded their worst May for US hardware sales in over twenty years. The sharp decline suggests that consumers are holding off on purchases of current-generation consoles, possibly waiting for new hardware revisions or major software releases. The combined sales figures for the two platforms were the lowest for the month since the early 2000s, a period that predates the launch of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Nintendo's Switch 2, which launched earlier this year, continued to attract strong demand. The system's hybrid design and a steady lineup of exclusive titles helped it capture a large share of the market. While the overall hardware market contracted, the Switch 2's performance was enough to push total industry spending into positive territory.

Software sales also contributed to the growth. Several new releases for the Switch 2 performed well at retail, while older titles on other platforms saw modest sales. Accessories and subscription services remained stable, providing a secondary boost.

The data underscores a widening gap in the console market. Nintendo is riding a wave of fresh hardware interest, while Sony and Microsoft face a challenging period of low consumer engagement. Both companies are expected to announce new initiatives later this year, but for now, their May sales figures serve as a stark reminder of the cyclical nature of the industry.