PlayStation 5 sales saw a 22% increase last month, according to data from Circana reported by Bloomberg. While the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI on November 19 is a significant factor, the primary driver for this recent surge in hardware sales appears to be the strong performance of games released in September, particularly Marvel's Wolverine.
Mat Piscatella, Senior Director and Video Game Industry Advisor at Circana, confirmed that Marvel's Wolverine was the main catalyst for the PS5's hardware boost. He also noted that NBA 2K27 and Grand Theft Auto VI likely contributed to sales, though the Xbox Series consoles did not experience a similar uplift during the same period. Despite receiving a middling 6 out of 10 in IGN's review, which cited satisfying combat that wore thin before the game's conclusion, Marvel's Wolverine proved to be the month's best-selling game and ranks 11th year-to-date. A limited edition Marvel's Wolverine DualSense controller also became the market's best-selling accessory, with a corresponding hardware bundle reportedly selling out.
Insomniac has continued to address player feedback, recently adding an option to toggle the game's scent trails. The early sales data for Wolverine indicated a strong performance, and its success as a best-seller has drawn comparisons to titles like Marvel's Spider-Man 2, although it did not reach the same sales figures.
The positive sales trend may continue as anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI builds. Evidence of this is already emerging, with the PS5 Pro reportedly selling out, leading to used models being resold for as much as $1,400, a $500 markup on the retail price. These elevated prices persist, with the PS5 Pro currently listed on Amazon and GameStop for $1,399. Looking ahead, potential price points for next-generation consoles like the Xbox Project Helix, rumored to cost up to $1,800, and the PS6, with estimated RAM and SSD costs of $680, suggest a continued trend of high-priced hardware.