It was inevitable that June’s US video game spending would take a hit compared to last year’s Nintendo Switch 2 launch frenzy. But the actual numbers are still eye-watering. Circana senior director Mat Piscatella revealed that hardware spending plummeted by a staggering 62% year-over-year, dropping to $383 million from a towering $1 billion in June 2025. That’s a correction of epic proportions—though hardly surprising given the once-in-a-generation hype that surrounded the Switch 2’s debut.
Despite the overall slump, the Nintendo Switch 2 once again claimed the top spot as the best-selling platform in both unit and dollar sales for June, while also maintaining its lead on the year-to-date charts. Sony’s PlayStation 5 settled for second place. However, both platforms saw year-over-year declines in spending—the Switch 2 down a dramatic 79%, while the PS5 dropped a more modest 19%. That’s the hangover effect in full swing.
On the brighter side of the ledger, Microsoft’s Xbox managed to more than double its hardware spending compared to June 2025. It’s a small victory, but given the console’s recent struggles, any reversal of fortune—however slight—is worth noting. Overall video game spending in the region for June totalled **$4.5 billion**, which is 21% lower than last year. The silver lining? The first six months of 2026 have generated $27.5 billion in total spending, a mere 1% dip compared to the same period in 2025. So while the monthly numbers look brutal, the annual picture is surprisingly stable.
All eyes are now on November 19th, when Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch. The game is reportedly already generating massive pre-order numbers, with some analysts speculating it could move a jaw-dropping 51 million units in its first week if momentum holds. Console sales, however, remain a wild card—especially with whispers of hardware shortages already starting to surface. Will GTA 6 single-handedly revive the hardware market, or will supply constraints dampen the party? We’ll be watching closely.
For now, June’s numbers tell a story of post-launch normalization, with the Switch 2 still leading the pack but no longer propping up the entire market. Stay tuned for July’s figures—and start saving those pennies for November.
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