March 2026 was a nice month for video game hardware sales in the United States. In the latest sales data from Circana, hardware sales rose an impressive 69% year over year.
From March 1 to April 4, sales totaled $500 million, up from $297 million a year ago.
This was led by the Nintendo Switch 2, which led in both units sold and dollars for the month. The PlayStation 5 (PS5) finished second for the month in both measurements and actually saw a rise of 3% year-over-year.
Going back to the Nintendo Switch 2, Circana’s Mat Piscatella said that the console’s sales are 12% higher than the original Switch in its first 10 months on the market. Nintendo’s latest system also remains the “second-fastest selling hardware platform in US tracked history.” That data began being tracked in 1995.
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Looking at year-to-date sales, the Nintendo Switch 2 is also at the top in both units and dollars, with the PS5 in second in both categories.
For 2026, video game hardware sales are up 38% compared to 2025. So far, hardware spending has reached $1.07 billion through three months. At this time last year, that number was only $777 million as consumers waited for the pending release of the aforementioned Switch 2.
Lastly, accessory sales remain even for 2026, but did rise 5% year-over-year for March to $252 million. That was thanks to a 180% increase in cases and organizer spending compared to March 2025.
What do you think about the rise in video game hardware sales in the last month and for the year as a whole? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and in the official Insider Gaming Discord.
In other news, read about Ubisoft canceling its Animal Crossing-inspired game Alterra. And for even more Insider Gaming delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
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