Related Articles
The NPD Group has released its report for September US video game sales, and the Nintendo Switch has finally be dethroned. After 33 months being the top-seller based on unit sales, the PlayStation 5 finally outsold the Switch in September 2021. This was the first time since November 2018 that the Switch was not the top-seller in the US based on unit sales.
The PS5 was the top-performer in September 2021 based on units sold and dollar sales in the US, and the PS5 is the best-selling system of 2021 so far on dollar sales. The Switch, however, is 2021’s biggest console based on unit sales.
In total, spending on gaming hardware in September 2021 jumped by 49% to $412 million. For the year so far, people have spent $3.4 billion on hardware, which is also up 49%.
Total spending on gaming in the US for September 2021–covering hardware, games, and accessories–reached $4.4 billion, which is up 3% and sets a new record for September. Year-to-date, spending hit $42.3 billion, which is up 12%.
In terms of game sales, Madden NFL 22 held on to its No. 1 position from August and remained the top-seller in September. It is also now the second-best selling game of 2021 so far. Also of note, Tales of Arise set a new record for launch-month sales, while Life is Strange: True Colors drove the “highest launch-month dollar sales for any Life is Strange game to date.”
On mobile, total spending passed $2 billion, and the average monthly spend is up about 28% compared to the first nine months of 2020. “September’s strong performance for the overall U.S. mobile games market was buoyed by the second highest earning title, MiHoYo’s Genshin Impact, which marked its one-year launch anniversary with spending up nearly 120% month over month,” NPD said.
“Top-performing mobile titles in the U.S. by consumer spending in September included Candy Crush Saga, Genshin Impact, Roblox, Coin Master, Garena Free Fire, Pokemon Go, Homescapes, Clash of Clans, Bingo Blitz, and Candy Crush Soda Saga,” the group added.
As for accessories, total spending dropped 12% to $171 million, with year-to-date spending hitting $1.8 billion, which is up 9%. Microsoft’s Xbox Elite Series 2 controller was the top-selling accessory in September, repeating as No. 1 from August. The PS5’s white DualSense controller, however, remains the top-selling accessory of 2021 so far.
September 2021 Best Selling Games All Platforms (US)
Madden NFL 22FIFA 22NBA 2K22*Tales of AriseDiablo II: ResurrectedDeathloopCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold WarGhost of TsushimaSpider-Man: Miles MoralesLife is Strange: True ColorsMario Kart 8*Diablo Prime Evil CollectionSonic Colors: UltimateMinecraftWarioWare: Get It Together!*Assassin’s Creed ValhallaSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate*Animal Crossing: New Horizons*Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)Mortal Kombat 11
All Platforms Year-To-Date
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold WarMadden NFL 22MLB: The Show 21^Resident Evil VillageSuper Mario 3D World*Spider-Man: Miles MoralesMario Kart 8*MinecraftMonster Hunter: RiseAssassin’s Creed Valhalla
^ Xbox digital sales not included
*Digital sales not included
September 2021 Nintendo Games
Mario Kart 8*WarioWare: Get It Together*Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*Diablo II: ResurrectedAnimal Crossing: New Horizons*Pokemon Sword/Shield*The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword*The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*Super Mario 3D World*Sonic Colors Ultimate
*Digital sales not included
September 2021 PlayStation Games
Madden NFL 22FIFA 22NBA 2K22*DeathloopTales of AriseGhost of TsushimaSpider-Man: Miles MoralesDiablo II: ResurrectedCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold WarLife is Strange: True Colors
*Digital sales not included
September 2021 Xbox Games
Madden NFL 22FIFA 22NBA 2K22*Diablo II: ResurrectedCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold WarTales of AriseDiablo Prime Evil CollectionCall of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)Assassin’s Creed ValhallaLife is Strange: True Colors
*Digital sales not included
