Nintendo Switch regains its monthly sales champion position in the U.S.

In September of this year, Sony PlayStation 5 ended the leading position of Nintendo Switch for 33 consecutive months and became the best-selling console platform. However, the ensuing supply chain problems seemed to be a blow to Sony. Previously, there were reports that as PlayStation 5 parts procurement and logistics became more and more difficult, Sony lowered the production volume of PlayStation 5 this year.

Although this was only a matter of one or two months, the situation of the game console market changed instantly. According to the newly released October 2021 report by NPD Group, Nintendo Switch has regained the number one position, thanks to the newly launched OLED version. The PlayStation 5 shortage also gave Nintendo Switch a chance.

Image: Mat Piscatella

According to the report, in October 2021, consumer spending on video game hardware, content, and accessories increased by 16% compared to a year ago, reaching $4.4 billion, setting a record in October. Cumulative sales this year reached $46.7 billion, an increase of 12% compared to the same period in 2020. In terms of hardware, sales in October 2021 were $472 million, an increase of 82% year-on-year. Cumulative hardware sales this year increased by 53% year-on-year to $3.9 billion. Last month, Nintendo was the winner, regardless of quantity or sales. For Sony, the situation this year is also quite good. In terms of amount, PlayStation 5 is still the hardware platform with the highest sales amount so far in 2021, but Nintendo Switch is still leading in terms of sales.

“Far Cry 6” became the best-selling game in October. At the same time, it entered 8th place in the 2021 overall ranking just one month after its debut. “Far Cry 6” ranked first on both PlayStation and Xbox platforms. Metroid: Survival Fear ranked No. 1 on Nintendo Switch and No. 3 among the best-selling games in October. Its sales also set a record for the Metroid series.