Xbox console sales experienced a substantial uplift in June, with spending more than doubling compared to the same period last year. This surge, detailed in a report from analytics firm Circana, marks a significant improvement for the platform after a challenging period.
While overall video game content spending in the U.S. declined by 12 percent year-over-year for June, and year-to-date spending remained flat, the hardware segment for Xbox demonstrated considerable strength. According to Circana's Mat Piscatella, Xbox unit sales increased by 86 percent year-over-year. This boost made June the strongest month for Xbox sales thus far in 2026.
This uptick in sales occurred despite an average price increase of 13 percent for Xbox hardware during the month. The report suggests that last year's June was particularly difficult for Xbox due to the launch of the Switch 2 and a subsequent price increase. The current year's strong performance may also be influenced by consumers attempting to acquire consoles before an anticipated price hike in August.
Despite the strong performance, Xbox ranked third overall in both dollar and unit sales for June. The Nintendo Switch 2 continued to lead in hardware, remaining the best-selling system in both units and dollars for the month and for the year to date. PlayStation held the second position in hardware sales for June, though its overall spending was down 19 percent year-over-year.
Overall hardware spending in the U.S. saw a considerable year-over-year decrease of 62 percent in June, totaling $383 million. This drop is largely attributed to the record-breaking hardware sales in June 2025, which was bolstered by the Switch 2 launch. However, Circana data indicates that Switch 2 hardware spending is holding up well, with its U.S. install base currently 11 percent ahead of the original Switch on a time-aligned basis. Total hardware spending for June 2026 was also up compared to June 2024, indicating a return to more average spending levels after the anomaly of the Switch 2 launch.
In terms of software, UFC 6 debuted at the top of the sales charts for June and was also the best-selling game on PlayStation. Meccha Chameleon followed at second place overall, with an estimated 4 million copies sold. Star Fox debuted at number four and was the top-selling game on Nintendo platforms for the month. Other notable software performance includes Final Fantasy VII Rebirth jumping to 12th place from 142nd, driven by the recent release of its Xbox and Switch 2 versions. The Remake & Rebirth Twin Pack also saw a significant climb, moving from 277th to 36th place.
For the year to date, Resident Evil Requiem remains the best-selling game, with Crimson Desert in second place. 007 First Light has risen to third, surpassing MLB The Show 26.
Overall video game spending in the U.S. for June was down 21 percent year-over-year, reaching $4.5 billion. However, year-to-date spending is only 1 percent behind where it stood at this point in 2025, suggesting a general stabilization after a period of decline in most segments except for subscriptions, which continue to grow.