The NPD Group – U.S. Games Industry Sales – February 2021
Total Video Game Industry Spending
February 2021 consumer spending across video game hardware, content and accessories reached a February record $4.6 billion, 35% higher when compared to a year ago. Year-to-date spending totaled $9.3 billion, 39% higher than the same period in 2020.
Hardware
Monthly sales of video game hardware increased 121% when compared to February 2020, to $406 million. This is the highest total for a February month since the $468 million reached in February 2011. Year-to-date hardware spending totaled $724 million, an increase of 130% compared to a year ago.
Nintendo Switch was the best-selling hardware platform in both units and dollars in February. Unit and dollar sales of Nintendo Switch hardware in February were the highest for any hardware platform in a February month since the Nintendo Wii in February 2009.
Lifetime dollar sales of Nintendo Switch hardware have now exceeded those of the Nintendo DS, making Switch Nintendo’s 2nd best-selling platform in U.S. tracked history (Nintendo Wii ranks first). Switch is currently the 7th best-selling hardware platform in lifetime U.S. dollar sales.
PlayStation 5 ranked as the 2nd best-selling hardware platform in February in both unit and dollar sales. PlayStation 5 is currently the fastest selling hardware platform in U.S. history (total dollar sales after four months in market).
Full Game Dollar Sales Spotlight (Excludes Post Launch Spending)
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury debuts as the best-selling game of February. The title also ranks as the 2nd best-selling game of 2021 year to date, despite the lack of digital sales tracking for Nintendo published titles.
Little Nighmares II launched as the 6th best-selling game of February. Little Nightmares II ranked as the 5th best-selling game on Xbox platforms, while placing 10th on PlayStation.
Accessories
Spending on video game accessories totaled $195 million in February 2021, 41% higher when compared to a year ago. The Gamepad, Headset/Headphone and Steering Wheel segments all achieved new February dollar sales records.
The PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller White led all accessories in dollar sales for the month of February, as well as 2021 year-to-date.
