Circana (formerly the NPD Group) has released a new report on the best-selling games, consoles, and accessories in the US for February 2023. PlayStation 5 drove growth in the hardware segment, with Hogwarts Legacy dominating the game sales charts.
Key takeaways
- According to Circana executive director Mat Piscatella, US consumer spending reached $4.6 billion in February, up 6% year-over-year. This is the highest YoY percentage growth since October 2021.
- Players spent $3.89 billion on video game content, up 1% from the same period last year. “Growth in digital content across Console and PC platforms, as well as non-mobile subscription spending, offset a decline in mobile,” Piscatella said.
- Hardware sales amounted to $495 million, up 68% year-over-year. This is the highest hardware spend for that month since the $534 million reached in February 2009.
Spending for dark mode users (sorry ’bout that) pic.twitter.com/qO8FLSdXXK
— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) March 29, 2023
- The growth in hardware sales was largely driven by the PlayStation 5, which was the best console both in dollars and units sold.
- US consumers spent $212 million on video game accessories, up 13% year-over-year.
- “The February results (and really those going back to October of last year) show a stabilization of trends, both in purchasing and engagement,” Piscatella noted. “We’re well into the ‘new normal’ and are no longer subject (for now) to the wild swings we’d seen in the market starting in March 2020.”
- The analyst expects the US video game market to grow 3% in 2023.
Still looking at around 3% growth for the market in 2023, +/- 5% or so because this is still the wild and wacky video game market. But still, so far so good in 2023.
— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) March 29, 2023
Best-selling video games of February 2023
- Hogwarts Legacy managed to dethrone Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. It was not only the best-selling game last month, but also the highest-grossing title year-to-date.
- The Dead Space remake became the 3rd best-selling title in the US, followed by Madden NFL 23, FIFA 23, The Last of Us Part I, and Elden Ring.
February 2023 Top 20 for dark mode users (oops) pic.twitter.com/rnOAK1f99b
— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) March 29, 2023
- Seven spots in the top 20 are occupied by new releases, including Wild Hearts (#8), Like a Dragon: Ishin! (#9), Octopath Traveler II (#10), and Company of Heroes 3 (#16).
- According to the data provided by Sensor Tower, the highest-grossing mobile titles in the US were Candy Crush Saga, Roblox, Royal Match, Pokémon Go, and Coin Master.