The PlayStation 5 is still finding ways to stay on top, as Sony’s console has now outsold the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. for two months in a row. That likely means the PlayStation 5 is 2026’s best-selling console so far. However, Nintendo’s latest system isn’t exactly struggling, as early data from Circana suggests the Switch 2 is still ahead of the original Switch when comparing launches. In other words, Sony may be winning the moment, but Nintendo is far from out of the game.
February’s broader sales data helps paint a clearer picture of where things stand. Total video game spending in the U.S. reached $4.56 billion for the month, which is a small 1% increase compared to last year. Hardware, interestingly enough, saw one of the largest increases in spending across the industry, jumping 22% compared to February 2025. It’s possible that the Nintendo Switch 2 releasing earlier this year also contributed to higher sales, and could be a sign that, should Microsoft end up releasing a new console in 2027, gamers may show up with their wallets. Even so, the PS5 managed to hold onto the top spot for a second consecutive month, showing that its momentum hasn’t slowed as much as some might have expected this late in the console’s lifecycle.
Even Though the Switch 2 is Still Brand-New, the PS5 Outsold It Last Month
According to the latest report from Circana, the PlayStation 5 managed to outsell the Nintendo Switch 2 in January 2026.
The PlayStation 5 Outsold the Nintendo Switch 2 in Both January and February
Video game industry analyst Mat Piscatella from Circana revealed that PlayStation 5 has outsold the Nintendo Switch 2 for the second month in a row via BlueSky on March 20. That said, the Switch 2’s early performance shouldn’t be overlooked. While it has fallen short of PS5 in recent months, the Nintendo Switch 2 still sold faster than the original Switch when comparing the console’s launch window. Strong early demand suggests Nintendo has once again tapped into a wide audience, with both longtime fans and newcomers jumping in early.
Additionally, Circana’s software sales charts also highlight how competitive the market remains across the board. Resident Evil Requiem took the number one sales spot in February, which isn’t very surprising, considering Resident Evil Requiem recently passed a major sales milestone. What is more surprising is how entrenched other franchises remain. NBA 2k26 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 followed closely behind Capcom’s latest release in sales numbers. One of the more notable increases in the sales rankings was Helldivers 2, which moved into the top 5 best-selling titles for the month, up from rank 15 in January. In addition to its hardware wins, Nintendo’s Pokemon Legends: Z-A also cracked the top 20 best-selling games for the month.
Looking at the year-to-date charts, it’s clear that no single platform is completely winning over players’ minds and wallets in terms of software. Big franchises like Madden NFL 26, EA Sports FC 26, and Battlefield 6 (all published by Electronic Arts, interestingly) are performing well across various platforms. Older titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 continue to be software-selling power houses even years after their initial releases.
For now, the PS5’s back-to-back wins over the Switch 2 are a reminder that Sony still has plenty of life left in its five-year-old console, having released in November 2020. Sony has been making steady improvements to its PlayStation ecosystem as of late, including expanded PSSR support for a number of PlayStation titles. But the bigger story may be what Nintendo is building with its new hardware. Even without leading every month, the Switch 2’s early trajectory suggests it could end up matching, or even surpassing, its predecessor given enough time. As 2026 unfolds, the real question isn’t just who wins on a monthly basis, but which console can maintain its momentum in a prolonged console cycle.
