The PlayStation 5 is still looking for ways to stay on top, as Sony's console has now outsold the Nintendo Switch 2 in the US for two consecutive months. That likely means the PlayStation 5 is the best-selling console of 2026 so far. Nintendo's latest system isn't exactly a problem, though, as early data from Circana suggests that the Switch 2 is still ahead of the original Switch when comparing launches. In other words, Sony may be winning, but Nintendo is far from out.
The broader sales figures for February help paint a clearer picture of where things stand. Total US video game spending reached $4.56 billion for the month, a small 1% increase compared to last year. Interestingly, hardware saw one of the biggest increases in spending across the industry, up 22% compared to February 2025. It's possible that the Nintendo Switch 2 that came out that year also contributed to higher sales, and it could be a sign that if Microsoft does end up releasing a new console in 2027, gamers may show up with their wallets. Still, the PS5 managed to hold onto the top spot for the second month in a row, showing that its momentum hasn't slowed down as much as some might expect at this late in the console's lifecycle.
Although the Switch 2 is still brand new, the PS5 surpassed it last month
According to the latest report from Circana, the PlayStation 5 managed to outsell the Nintendo Switch 2 in January 2026.
PlayStation 5 outsold Nintendo Switch 2 in both January and February
Video game industry analyst Mat Piscatella of Circana revealed that the PlayStation 5 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. Even though it has fallen behind the 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 that Nintendo has once again reached a wide audience, with both long-time fans and newcomers jumping on board early.
Additionally, Circana's software sales charts also highlight how competitive the market remains across the board. Resident Evil Requiem took the number one spot in February, which isn't too surprising Resident Evil Requiem recently passed a significant sales milestone. More surprising is how entrenched other franchises remain. NBA 2k26 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Close behind in sales numbers was Capcom's latest release. One of the most notable increases in the sales rankings was Helldivers 2which moved into the top 5 best-selling titles for the month, up from 15th in January. In addition to its hardware, Nintendo's wins Pokemon Legends: ZA also cracked the top 20 selling games for the month.
Looking at the charts over the past year, it's clear that no software platform is completely winning over the minds and wallets of gamers. Big franchises like Madden NFL 26, EA Sports FC 26and Battlefield 6 (interestingly, they are all published by Electronic Arts) work well on different platforms. Older titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 even years after their first release, they continue to be a powerhouse for selling software.
For now, the PS5's head-to-head wins over the Switch 2 are a reminder that Sony still has plenty of life left in its five-year-old console, which launched in November 2020. Sony has been steadily improving its PlayStation ecosystem recently, including expanded PSSR support for a number of PlayStation titles. But the bigger story may be what Nintendo is building with its new hardware. While we don't lead every month, the Switch 2's early trajectory suggests it could match or even surpass its predecessor given enough time. As 2026 unfolds, the real question isn't just who wins monthly, but which console can maintain its momentum over an extended console cycle.
