Port Washington, NY — October 2021 consumer spending across video game hardware, content and accessories grew 16% when compared to a year ago, reaching an October record $4.4 billion. Year-to-date consumer spending reached $46.7 billion, gaining 12% when compared to the same period in 2020.

Hardware

October video game hardware dollar sales increased 82% when compared to October 2020, to $472 million. Year-to-date hardware spending has increased 53% when compared to the same period a year ago, reaching $3.9 billion.

Switch was the best-selling hardware platform of October in both units and dollars, aided by the launch of the Nintendo Switch – OLED Model. PlayStation 5 remains the best-selling hardware platform of 2021 year-to-date in dollars, while Nintendo Switch leads in units.

Full Game Dollar Sales Spotlight (Excludes Post-Launch Spending)

Far Cry 6 debuted as October’s best-selling game, instantly becoming the 8th best-selling game of 2021 to date. Far Cry 6 ranked first on both PlayStation and Xbox platforms in October.

Back 4 Blood was October’s second best-selling game, also ranking 2nd on both PlayStation and Xbox platforms.

Metroid: Dread debuted as Octboer’s #3 best-selling game, while ranking first on Nintendo Switch. Metroid: Dread achieved the highest launch month sales of any Metroid franchise release in tracked history. Launch month physical dollar sales nearly doubled those of the previous best, Metroid: Prime.

Mobile Spotlight (Notes Provided by Sensor Tower)

October was the eighth consecutive month of U.S. consumer spending on mobile games in excess of $2 billion, while spend has surpassed that mark in nine out of 10 months so far in 2021

Year-over-year revenue growth for the space was nearly 12% in October, up from 11% the month before, signaling increased purchasing momentum into the holiday season compared to pre-pandemic norms, which saw single-digit year-over-year increases at this point in 2019.

Top U.S. mobile games by revenue in October 2021 included Candy Crush Saga, Garena Free Fire, Roblox, Coin Master, Pokémon GO, Call of Duty: Mobile, Homescapes, Lords Mobile, Clash Royale, and Genshin Impact.

Accessories

October 2021 spending on video game accessories increased 5% when compared to a year ago, to $158 million. Year-to-date accessory sales reached $1.9 billion, increasing 9% when compared to a year ago.

Gamepads remain the best-selling accessory segment year to date, with growth of 7% when compared to the same period a year ago. The Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller was the best-selling accessory of October, while the PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller White remains the best-selling accessory of the year.