Nintendo Switch's 33-Month Sales Record In The US Just Fell, As PS5 Takes Top Spot In September

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)

1. Madden NFL 22
2. FIFA 22
3. NBA 2K22*
4. Tales of Arise
5. Diablo II: Resurrected
6. Deathloop
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
8. Ghost of Tsushima
9. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
10. Life is Strange: True Colors
11. Mario Kart 8*
12. Diablo Prime Evil Collection
13. Sonic Colors: Ultimate
14. Minecraft
15. WarioWare: Get It Together!*
16. Assassin's Creed Valhalla
17. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*
18. Animal Crossing: New Horizons*
19. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
20. Mortal Kombat 11

All Platforms Year-To-Date

1. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
2. Madden NFL 22
3. MLB: The Show 21^
4. Resident Evil Village
5. Super Mario 3D World*
6. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
7. Mario Kart 8*
8. Minecraft
9. Monster Hunter: Rise
10. Assassin's Creed Valhalla

^ Xbox digital sales not included

*Digital sales not included

September 2021 Nintendo Games

1. Mario Kart 8*
2. WarioWare: Get It Together*
3. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*
4. Diablo II: Resurrected
5. Animal Crossing: New Horizons*
6. Pokemon Sword/Shield*
7. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword*
8. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*
9. Super Mario 3D World*
10. Sonic Colors Ultimate

*Digital sales not included

September 2021 PlayStation Games

1. Madden NFL 22
2. FIFA 22
3. NBA 2K22*
4. Deathloop
5. Tales of Arise
6. Ghost of Tsushima
7. Spider-Man: Miles Morales
8. Diablo II: Resurrected
9. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
10. Life is Strange: True Colors

*Digital sales not included

September 2021 Xbox Games

1. Madden NFL 22
2. FIFA 22
3. NBA 2K22*
4. Diablo II: Resurrected
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
6. Tales of Arise
7. Diablo Prime Evil Collection
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
9. Assassin's Creed Valhalla
10. Life is Strange: True Colors

*Digital sales not included