The Nintendo Switch has been so successful as a hybrid home/portable gaming platform that it may be putting the nails in the 3DS’ coffin. That trend continued in August, as the NPD Group (via GamesBeat) reports Switch was the best-selling console for the month.
Nintendo launched the Switch on March 3, and it’s proceeded to be the top-selling console in four of the six months since. PlayStation 4 outsold Nintendo’s console in May and June and remains the best-selling console year to date. Along with the PS4 and Switch, Nintendo’s retro NES Classic Edition has helped bolster the year’s hardware sales.
“Year to date, hardware spending has grown 17 percent versus 2016 to $1.7 billion,” explained NPD Analyst Mat Piscatella. “Consumer spending on Nintendo Switch and plug ‘n’ play devices such as the NES Classic are providing growth.”
But while game accessories sales being up 10 percent year over year, hardware and software sales were actually down in August. Console and PC software sales were down three percent while hardware was down by six percent.
The NPD Group’s sales tracking doesn’t include some digital sales, such as those on Battle.net and the Nintendo Switch. But without that data, these were August’s best-selling games:
- Madden NFL 18
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
- Splatoon 2
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege
- Mario Kart 8
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered
- Crash Bandicoot: N. Sane Trilogy
- Overwatch
While it’s not surprising to see Electronic Arts’ annual Madden release grab the top spot for another August, it’s interesting that the second-best-selling game is Grand Theft Auto V. Rockstar’s sandbox crime title has had a remarkably long sales tail.
“Grand Theft Auto V has now been on the market 49 months and has achieved 41 Top 10 chart appearances, 16 more times than any other single title in reported history,” said Piscatella. “In addition, Grand Theft Auto V is the all-time best-selling game by both revenue and units in tracked sales across PC, console, and portable with digital and packaged combined.”
Grand Theft Auto V originally released all the way back in 2013, but it’s still hanging around the top of the charts with newly launched heavy hitters like Madden NFL 18 and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy.
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