PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch All Saw Sharp Year-on-Year Declines in US Sales in September

Hardware spending in the US fell by 44 percent year-on-year to $251 million, which is the lowest it has been for a September month in five years.

September was a busy month in terms of software sales in the US, with a number of new releases enjoying solid debuts in the region. On the hardware side of things, however, things look a little less bright. 

As per data shared by Circana analyst Mat Piscatella on Bluesky, the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch all saw “steep” year-on-year declines in hardware sales for the month of September in the US. Xbox Series X/S saw the hardest drop, falling by 54 percent, while PS5 fell by 45 percent, and the Switch by 23 percent. 

Total hardware spending in the US fell 44 percent year-on-year for the month of September to $251 million, which, incidentally, also the lowest total for a September month since 2019. Meanwhile, total hardware spending for all of 2024 so far stands at $2.5 billion, down 

PS5 was the region’s bestselling weapon for the month in terms of both unit sales and dollar sales, with Xbox Series X/S ranking second with the latter, and the Switch with the former. 

Interestingly enough, 40 percent of the PS5’s US sales in September were for its digital version, though where lifetime sales in the region are concerned, digital’s total share stands at 18 percent. Meanwhile, on the Xbox side of things, 58 percent of Microsoft’s current-gen sales in September were for Xbox Series X, with its lifetime share standing at 51 percent.

September video game hardware spending fell 44% when compared to a year ago, to $251 million. This is the lowest monthly hardware spend total for a September month since 2019 ($242 million).

Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2024-10-23T13:09:41.712Z

Xbox Series hardware spending dropped 54% year-on-year, with PS5 (-45%) and Switch (-23%) also showing sharp declines. YTD hardware spending is now 30% lower than a year ago, at $2.5 billion.

Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2024-10-23T13:09:46.720Z

PlayStation 5 again led the month’s hardware market in unit and dollar sales, with Xbox Series ranking 2nd in dollars and Nintendo Switch #2 in units sold.

Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2024-10-23T13:10:04.116Z

Xbox Series X consoles comprised 58% of total Xbox Series units sold in September, and account for the majority of Xbox Series units sold life-to-date (51%).

Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2024-10-23T13:10:09.214Z

40% of total PlayStation 5 hardware unit sales in September came from Digital PS5 consoles. Digital consoles now comprise 18% of total life-to-date unit sales of PS5 hardware.

Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2024-10-23T13:10:14.812Z
MicrosoftNintendonintendo switchps5sonyXbox Series SXbox Series X