Nintendo’s latest console, the Nintendo Switch 2, has achieved a historic sales milestone in the United States, selling 2.4 million units within its first three months on the market. According to data shared by Circana’s Mat Piscatella, this figure places the Switch 2 ahead of the PlayStation 4’s record of 2.2 million units sold during a similar timeframe, officially making it the fastest-selling video game console in U.S. history.
The data, released as part of Circana’s August 2025 U.S. Video Game Market Highlights, also reveals that the continued success of the Switch 2 significantly contributed to an 11 percent increase in total video game spending compared to the same month last year. Overall spending across hardware, content, and accessories rose to $4.7 billion for August. Piscatella explained that the combination of NBA 2K26’s launch, a 6 percent increase in mobile spending, and the strong performance of Nintendo’s new system fueled this growth.
In terms of hardware, the report highlighted that total console spending in August climbed by 32 percent year-over-year, reaching $312 million. The Nintendo Switch 2 was credited for offsetting steep declines in sales of other major platforms, including the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and the original Switch. Moreover, Piscatella noted that the Switch 2’s performance is 77 percent higher than the time-aligned sales of the first Nintendo Switch, underscoring the strong consumer demand surrounding the system’s launch.
Piscatella shared, “With 2.4M units sold LTD over its first 3 months market, Nintendo Switch 2 is now 5% ahead of the previous record setting pace of PlayStation 4, which sold 2.2M units during the 3 months ending January 2014.” He further added that year-to-date hardware spending is up 20 percent compared to last year, reaching $2.9 billion, while average unit prices have also increased by over 12 percent.
Alongside the hardware success, Circana’s data also revealed the top-selling games for August 2025. NBA 2K26 debuted at the top of the charts, followed by Madden NFL 26, Mafia: The Old Country, and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Nintendo’s Donkey Kong Bonanza maintained a strong position at seventh place, while legacy titles such as Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto V, and Hogwarts Legacy continued to appear within the top twenty.
The remarkable launch of the Switch 2 further reinforces Nintendo’s ongoing dominance in the console market. With demand continuing to outpace supply in some regions, and a growing library of first-party and third-party titles, the console appears well-positioned to sustain its momentum through the holiday season. Whether it can maintain this record-setting pace in the months ahead will be closely watched by analysts and competitors alike.
