Switch 2 Leads June US Hardware Sales as Spending Falls 79%

Nintendo's latest console continues to lead the US market, even as gaming spending drops and tougher comparisons begin to catch up.

The excitement around the Switch 2 hasn't disappeared, but the latest US sales figures show that Nintendo is entering a very different phase. After a record-breaking launch last year, the console is no longer benefiting from the rush of day-one buyers. Instead, it's facing the challenge every successful system eventually meets: keeping the momentum alive.

Overall video game spending in the US dropped 21% in June compared to the same month last year. While that might sound like bad news for the industry, the biggest reason is fairly simple. June 2025 saw the massive launch of the Switch 2, creating an unusually high benchmark that this year's market was never likely to match.

The software charts still had plenty of movement. UFC 6 was June’s best-selling game, with Meta Chameleon taking an impressive second spot, exhibiting high demand despite not being as established as many blockbuster games. 007 First Light followed in third, with Star Fox taking fourth place.

According to the sources, the rankings include both physical sales and estimated digital purchases to provide a more complete picture of the market. That makes Star Fox's performance particularly notable since it wasn't sold at full retail price but still managed to rank among the month's biggest earners.

On the hardware side, the numbers tell an interesting story.

Switch 2 hardware spending was down 79% in June 2025 compared to its debut month. At first glance, that seems like a dramatic drop, but it's exactly what happens after a blockbuster launch. Once the initial wave of eager buyers has picked up the console, matching those sales becomes incredibly difficult.

The important takeaway is that the Switch 2 is still winning where it matters. According to the sources, it remained the best-selling console in the US for June in both units sold and total revenue. It also continues to hold the top spot for hardware sales across 2026 so far.

Sony also experienced a quieter month, with PlayStation 5 hardware spending falling 19% year over year. XBOX, however, delivered one of the biggest surprises in the report. XBOX Series hardware spending more than doubled compared to June last year, giving Microsoft an unexpected boost, even though it still trails Nintendo and Sony in the overall rankings.

So, is Nintendo comfortably in the clear? Not quite. According to the sources, the Switch 2 is still tracking around 11% ahead of the original Switch when both launches are compared over the same period. That's an encouraging sign, but staying ahead may become much harder as the year goes on.

A planned $50 price increase before the holiday season could make it more difficult to convince new buyers.

Nintendo does have a strong lineup on the way, with titles like the Ocarina of Time remake, Fire Emblem, Dusk Blood, and next year's Pokémon expected to keep interest high. But great games can only do so much if the hardware becomes increasingly expensive.

The original Switch managed to keep things fresh with subsequent revisions like the Lite and OLED models, giving the platform multiple boosts throughout its life. Whether the Switch 2 can follow the same path remains an outstanding question. For now, Nintendo is still sitting comfortably at the top of the US hardware charts. But as prices rise and launch excitement fades, the real test is only just beginning. Will the Switch 2 keep the lead, or is its biggest challenge still ahead?