PS5 Surpasses Switch 2 in US Console Sales for Second Straight Month
Sony's PlayStation 5 has achieved a notable milestone by outselling the Nintendo Switch 2 in the United States for the second consecutive month, according to recent sales data. This development comes as Resident Evil Requiem dominates the software charts, solidifying its position as the best-selling game of 2026 so far.
Console Sales Trends and Market Analysis
In January, the PS5 exceeded the Switch 2 in both unit sales and total dollar revenue in the US, a trend that persisted into February. Mat Piscatella, a senior director at Circana, highlighted on Bluesky that the PlayStation 5 led in both metrics last month, with the Switch 2 ranking second. Despite this, the Switch 2 maintains a strong overall performance, with its life-to-date installed base trending 45% ahead of the original Switch after nine months on the market.
Hardware spending across all consoles saw a significant increase of 22% in February compared to the previous year, offsetting year-on-year declines for platforms like the PS5, original Switch, and Xbox Series X/S. The decline in PS5 sales compared to last year raises questions about the factors driving its current lead over the Switch 2. Experts speculate that the Switch 2's momentum may be slowing after its initial launch surge, compounded by a limited software lineup in 2026 that lacks titles appealing to Western audiences.
Software Success and Upcoming Releases
On the software front, Resident Evil Requiem has made a powerful debut, surpassing NBA 2K26 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 to become the top-selling game of the year. Capcom confirmed that the title is the fastest-selling in the series, with over six million copies sold, and its launch week dollar sales were 60% higher than those of Resident Evil Village in 2021.
Other notable entries in February's sales charts include Dragon Quest 7: Reimagined at number nine and Mario Tennis Fever at 11, though digital sales for Nintendo releases are not included in these figures. New releases such as God of War: Sons of Sparta at 14, My Hero Academia: All's Justice at 17, and the Resident Evil Generation Pack at 20 also made their mark.
Future Outlook and Industry Implications
The launch of Pokémon Pokopia, a Switch 2 exclusive that sold 2.2 million copies worldwide in its first four days, with one million in Japan, could shift sales dynamics in the coming months. However, the absence of major PS5 discounts in the US suggests that the console's current advantage may be tied to the Switch 2's sparse software offerings. As the gaming industry evolves, monitoring these trends will be crucial for understanding consumer preferences and market shifts.
