Nintendo Switch Once Again Tops U.S. Console Sales Charts Edging Out PS4
For anyone wondering why the Nintendo Switch is still hard to find now six months after it launched, the answer is the same as before—Nintendo just is not able to produce Switch consoles fast enough to meet demand. While there will still be some who contend that it is an artificial shortage, consider that the Switch was once again the best-selling game console on the market in August, according to The NPD Group.
It is the second month in a row that Nintendo Switch sales have come out on top of the competition. After outselling both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in July, the Switch was able to maintain its sales lead in August..
"The Nintendo Switch was August's best-selling hardware platform," NPD analyst Mat Piscatella said. "The Nintendo Switch has been the best-selling platform in four of the six months since launching in March 2017."
Sony's PS4 has not been far behind and still leads in hardware sales for the entire year. It also topped the chart in May and June, Piscatell said. However, even though the Switch and PS4 are lighting things up, collective hardware sales for all consoles is down 6 percent year-over-year to $168 million. NPD Group blames the decline on sagging sales of the Xbox One and previous generation consoles such as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
The NPD Group believes Microsoft's sales dip is due to the impending launch of the Xbox One X, which releases to retail on November 7. The Xbox One X introduces more powerful hardware capable of playing games at 4K at 60 frames per second. For gamers who have invested in a 4K television, it is a tantalizing upgrade, especially since it is backwards compatible with existing Xbox One games.
While console sales are down for the moment, overall spending on hardware, including accessories, is up a pretty good clip from last year.
"Year to date, hardware spending has grown 17 percent versus 2016 to $1.7 billion," said Piscatella. "Consumer spending on Nintendo Switch and plug-‘n’-play devices, such as the NES Classic, are providing growth."
Looking ahead for Nintendo, the Switch is likely to continue selling well. There are some highly anticipated games being released on the Switch that are expected to drive hardware sales, including Super Mario Odyssey next month.
It is the second month in a row that Nintendo Switch sales have come out on top of the competition. After outselling both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in July, the Switch was able to maintain its sales lead in August..
"The Nintendo Switch was August's best-selling hardware platform," NPD analyst Mat Piscatella said. "The Nintendo Switch has been the best-selling platform in four of the six months since launching in March 2017."
Sony's PS4 has not been far behind and still leads in hardware sales for the entire year. It also topped the chart in May and June, Piscatell said. However, even though the Switch and PS4 are lighting things up, collective hardware sales for all consoles is down 6 percent year-over-year to $168 million. NPD Group blames the decline on sagging sales of the Xbox One and previous generation consoles such as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
The NPD Group believes Microsoft's sales dip is due to the impending launch of the Xbox One X, which releases to retail on November 7. The Xbox One X introduces more powerful hardware capable of playing games at 4K at 60 frames per second. For gamers who have invested in a 4K television, it is a tantalizing upgrade, especially since it is backwards compatible with existing Xbox One games.
While console sales are down for the moment, overall spending on hardware, including accessories, is up a pretty good clip from last year.
"Year to date, hardware spending has grown 17 percent versus 2016 to $1.7 billion," said Piscatella. "Consumer spending on Nintendo Switch and plug-‘n’-play devices, such as the NES Classic, are providing growth."
Looking ahead for Nintendo, the Switch is likely to continue selling well. There are some highly anticipated games being released on the Switch that are expected to drive hardware sales, including Super Mario Odyssey next month.
