According to data from Circana’s May 2026 report, Nintendo’s Switch 2 has sold 5.9 million units in the US within its first year, establishing it as the second fastest-selling console in US history. This places it just behind Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance, which moved 6.5 million units in its initial 12 months 25 years ago.
The Switch 2 was also the top-selling console in the US for May 2026, outperforming both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Its strong sales contributed to a more than 33 percent year-on-year increase in overall hardware spend for the month.
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Hardware Sales Decline
Despite Nintendo’s growth, PlayStation 5 experienced a 58 percent drop in hardware sales compared to May last year, marking the worst May for the platform since 2000. This downturn was attributed, at least in part, to recent price increases implemented by Sony in March 2026.
Xbox hardware sales fell by 12 percent year-on-year, the lowest recorded for any May month for Xbox consoles, according to Circana. Microsoft also raised Xbox prices shortly before the report, adding further pressure to an already declining sales figure.
Rising Console Prices Amid Component Shortages
The average price paid for a new console unit in May 2026 rose to $502 USD, up from $440 a year prior. PlayStation 5 price averages increased by 33 percent to $672, while Xbox Series X/S prices rose 22 percent to $524. Nintendo announced it will also increase Switch 2 pricing later this year.
This trend reflects ongoing supply chain challenges, particularly component shortages caused by growing demand from AI datacentres. Microsoft has forecasted a potential doubling of component prices by autumn 2027, implying further hardware cost rises for consumers.
These price rises come amid inflationary pressures reducing disposable income, compounding difficulties in hardware sales for PlayStation and Xbox. Nintendo’s Switch 2 currently remains less impacted, strongly outperforming its rivals in the US market.
Nearly six months ahead of Grand Theft Auto 6’s release on 19 November 2026, supply shortages may affect console availability for the holiday period. A retailer has already warned that stock levels could be insufficient to meet GTA 6 demand this Christmas.
