The competitive landscape for gaming consoles saw a notable shift in November 2023, with the PlayStation 5 (PS5) overtaking the Nintendo Switch 2 as the best-selling hardware platform in the United States.
According to the latest data shared by Circana’s respected games industry analyst Mat Piscatella, November 2023 experienced its lowest US console sales volume for the month since 1995, highlighting wider trends impacting hardware demand and market pricing. Piscatella’s monthly sales thread on social media revealed that a combined total of 1.6 million consoles were sold across all gaming platforms in the US during November 2023.
This historic low in hardware sales marks a significant drop compared to previous years, with only 1.4 million units sold in November 1995, nearly three decades ago.
Despite fewer units being sold, the average price for new console hardware in November hit an unprecedented peak of $439—an 11% increase over last year—pointing to higher per-unit prices driving total revenue even as unit sales slip. A close examination of Circana’s November sales data shows that Sony’s PS5 managed to outpace the Nintendo Switch 2, claiming the top spot as the month’s highest-selling hardware platform in the US.
This achievement marks the first time Sony has led Nintendo’s latest console since its launch, demonstrating the strong market demand for the PlayStation 5 and effective channel supply. The NEX Playground claimed third place for units sold, a testament to growing interest in emerging platforms.
However, Microsoft’s Xbox took third place in terms of hardware revenue, likely due to its higher average selling price in comparison to the NEX Playground.
These shifts underscore the increasingly competitive dynamics among the major hardware manufacturers, including Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. Software sales in November also mirrored established consumer preferences.
Activision’s "Call of Duty: Black Ops 7" secured the position of the month’s top-selling title across all platforms, continuing the franchise’s legacy of commercial success in the US market.
For Nintendo, "Pokémon Legends: Z-A" stood out as its highest-charting title, reinforcing the enduring popularity of the Pokémon series among Switch and Switch 2 owners. The November 2023 hardware sales trends offer valuable insights into evolving market patterns in the gaming industry.
With the PS5 seizing a major milestone from the Nintendo Switch 2 and a broader decline in hardware unit sales despite rising average prices, console makers like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft face both challenges and opportunities as they prepare for upcoming releases, Nintendo Direct announcements, and ongoing eShop activity.
According to the latest data shared by Circana’s respected games industry analyst Mat Piscatella, November 2023 experienced its lowest US console sales volume for the month since 1995, highlighting wider trends impacting hardware demand and market pricing. Piscatella’s monthly sales thread on social media revealed that a combined total of 1.6 million consoles were sold across all gaming platforms in the US during November 2023.
This historic low in hardware sales marks a significant drop compared to previous years, with only 1.4 million units sold in November 1995, nearly three decades ago.
Despite fewer units being sold, the average price for new console hardware in November hit an unprecedented peak of $439—an 11% increase over last year—pointing to higher per-unit prices driving total revenue even as unit sales slip. A close examination of Circana’s November sales data shows that Sony’s PS5 managed to outpace the Nintendo Switch 2, claiming the top spot as the month’s highest-selling hardware platform in the US.
This achievement marks the first time Sony has led Nintendo’s latest console since its launch, demonstrating the strong market demand for the PlayStation 5 and effective channel supply. The NEX Playground claimed third place for units sold, a testament to growing interest in emerging platforms.
However, Microsoft’s Xbox took third place in terms of hardware revenue, likely due to its higher average selling price in comparison to the NEX Playground.
These shifts underscore the increasingly competitive dynamics among the major hardware manufacturers, including Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. Software sales in November also mirrored established consumer preferences.
Activision’s "Call of Duty: Black Ops 7" secured the position of the month’s top-selling title across all platforms, continuing the franchise’s legacy of commercial success in the US market.
For Nintendo, "Pokémon Legends: Z-A" stood out as its highest-charting title, reinforcing the enduring popularity of the Pokémon series among Switch and Switch 2 owners. The November 2023 hardware sales trends offer valuable insights into evolving market patterns in the gaming industry.
With the PS5 seizing a major milestone from the Nintendo Switch 2 and a broader decline in hardware unit sales despite rising average prices, console makers like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft face both challenges and opportunities as they prepare for upcoming releases, Nintendo Direct announcements, and ongoing eShop activity.
