September 2026 Sees Mixed Results in Video Game Sales

Last month marked the start of the annual wave of autumn game releases, and fresh sales data for September 2026 has just been revealed. The key takeaway? Game sales are on the rise, while hardware sales are struggling. Marvel’s Wolverine has emerged as the standout title, while Xbox continues to see a decline.

Mat Piscatella, the senior director and head of gaming research, shared the latest U.S. sales figures. He noted that total spending on video games—including content, hardware, and accessories—dipped by 1 percent in September compared to last year, totaling $4.8 billion. Year-to-date spending is now 3 percent lower than the same period in 2025, sitting at $41.0 billion.

Marvel’s Wolverine took the crown as the best-selling game for September 2026, surpassing NBA 2K27 and EA Sports FC 27. It’s already ranked 11th among the top-selling games of the year. Notably, Wolverine achieved the highest launch month sales for a Sony title since Helldivers II debuted in February 2024, despite receiving a mixed Metacritic score and being a console exclusive with no PC version planned.

While this is a win for Sony, the broader AAA gaming landscape is also noteworthy. Typically, the monthly best-sellers list is filled with familiar titles, including annual sports games and Call of Duty sequels. However, September’s list was largely dominated by new releases, featuring a diverse array of genres and franchises, from The Blood of Dawnwalker to Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. This variety is a positive sign for the industry.

On the console front, Sony continues to shine. PlayStation 5 sales surged by 22 percent year-over-year, while Switch 2 sales fell by 14 percent and Xbox Series saw a 27 percent drop. The PS5’s boost is likely linked to the excitement surrounding the recent Grand Theft Auto 6 reveal. Meanwhile, Switch 2 sales may be suffering due to a recent price increase, though this could change as we approach the release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in November.

As for Xbox, the news remains bleak. Price increases driven by AI and ongoing supply chain issues are not helping the situation. Currently, an all-digital PS5 retails for $600, while the equivalent Xbox Series X starts at $750. Additionally, Microsoft appears to be struggling with stock levels, as some users received messages encouraging them to resell their unused Xbox consoles to retailers like Best Buy, allowing others to purchase them at a discount.