U.S. Video Game Hardware Sales Continue to Decline in May 2025, But June Could Turn Things Around
- Sagar Mankar
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
Video game hardware sales in the United States have now declined for five consecutive months.
According to the latest figures from Circana, hardware sales for May 2025 dropped by 13% year-over-year, while accessory sales fell by 6%. It's a pattern that’s been consistent throughout 2025—and one that may finally shift with the arrival of new hardware.
To break it down, overall hardware revenue dropped from $197 million in May 2024 to $172 million in May 2025. This ongoing slump isn’t too surprising given the lack of new console releases during that period and the maturing cycle of existing platforms like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and the aging Nintendo Switch.
Despite the overall decline, Sony's PlayStation 5 continued to dominate the market. It remained the best-selling console in terms of both unit sales and dollar revenue, and actually showed growth—up 3% compared to the same month last year. That’s no small feat considering the wider market decline.
Meanwhile, things weren’t quite as rosy for Microsoft and Nintendo. Xbox Series X|S consoles saw a significant 30% drop in sales year-over-year, while the Nintendo Switch dropped by a steep 44%. Even so, the Switch still managed to rank second in units sold for the month, while Xbox took the second spot in revenue, reflecting its higher price point.
In terms of digital unit split, the data showed that 49% of PS5 purchases were digital, while Xbox Series X|S hit a notable 79%—a clear indication of the increasingly digital nature of Microsoft’s ecosystem.
Accessory sales followed a similar downward path. Total spending in this category fell from $165 million in May 2024 to $154 million in May 2025. The top-selling accessory for the month was the midnight black DualSense wireless controller for the PS5, which continues to be a popular choice among PlayStation fans.
When looking at the year-to-date figures, the picture remains pretty clear: hardware sales are down by 26% compared to the first five months of 2024, and accessory sales have dipped by 12%.
However, a major shift is already underway. June 2025 marks the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, and early signs point to a significant boost in hardware sales. As per earlier reports by Circana, Nintendo’s next-gen console sold over 1 million units in the U.S. within just its first two days. That figure doesn’t even include purchases made through the My Nintendo Store, so the actual number is likely even higher. While full data for June has yet to be released, early indicators suggest it may break several sales records for both hardware and software.
All eyes will be on Circana’s June report, which is expected to show a much-needed rebound in spending—especially if the Switch 2’s momentum continues throughout the summer.