The U.S. video game market posted solid numbers in September 2025, with total spending hitting $4.841 billion — a 10% jump over the same period last year. The growth came from a mix of major new releases, strong Nintendo Switch 2 performance, and rising subscription revenue. This marked the fifth straight month of year-over-year gains, even as U.S. inflation hit 2.9% in August 2025.
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Hardware Sales Driven by Switch 2
Hardware revenue climbed 24% year-over-year to $324 million in September. The Nintendo Switch 2 carried the category, offsetting double-digit declines for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and the original Switch. Through the first nine months of 2025, hardware sales reached $3.18 billion, up from $2.65 billion in 2024. Accessories dropped 10% to $197 million, though the DualSense controller stayed on top and the Switch 2 Pro Controller led annual accessory charts. Remote Play device sales fell 9%, but over 5% of U.S. PlayStation 5 owners bought a PlayStation Portal, showing ongoing appetite for companion hardware.
Content and Subscription Revenue Growth
Content sales rose 11% year-over-year to $4.3 billion in September. Subscription services surged 32% compared to September 2024, the biggest gain of any segment. Console game sales increased 12%, and mobile gaming added 4% growth. Traditional game purchases remain healthy, but subscription models are clearly becoming a bigger piece of the revenue picture.
Borderlands 4 and Key Releases
Borderlands 4 topped the month, posting the best launch in franchise history. Revenue came in nearly 30% higher than Borderlands 3, and the game debuted at number one. Gearbox followed up with a patch addressing "major balance tuning," adjusting certain skills after player feedback.
Other major releases included EA Sports FC 26, Ghost of Yotei, Silent Hill: f, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, NHL 26, Digimon Story: Time Stranger, and the Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 compilation. Ghost of Yotei matched the original Ghost of Tsushima's performance, though Tsushima launched in 2020 during the pandemic, which shaped its early trajectory.
Borderlands 4 became the third best-selling game of 2025 by year-to-date revenue. EA Sports FC 26 landed at 15th, and Ghost of Yotei at 18th. NBA 2K26 held the top spot for the first nine months of 2025, ahead of Monster Hunter: Wilds, while MLB The Show 25 became the second most successful entry in its series. On mobile, MONOPOLY GO!, Royal Match, Candy Crush Saga, Roblox, and Coin Master led September revenue.
Platform Performance and Trends
On PlayStation, NBA 2K26 overtook Ghost of Yotei for the top spot, while Helldivers II stayed at number four on Xbox. Nintendo saw a strong debut for the Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 compilation. EA Sports FC 26 ranked higher than NBA 2K26 on Switch, suggesting Switch 2 owners lean more toward football than basketball. PC charts mostly aligned with console rankings, except Digimon Story: Time Stranger hit second place for the month.
Looking Ahead
The U.S. gaming market in September 2025 stayed resilient, driven by strong hardware sales, successful new releases, and growing subscription revenue. With console adoption continuing and more titles on the way, the sector looks set to keep momentum through the rest of 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the total revenue for the U.S. gaming market in September 2025?
The U.S. video game market generated $4.841 billion in September 2025, a 10% increase compared to the same month in 2024.
Which new release performed best in September 2025?
Borderlands 4 had the strongest launch, becoming the first game in the series to debut at number one and generating nearly 30% more revenue than Borderlands 3.
How did hardware sales fare in September 2025?
Hardware sales rose 24% year-over-year to $324 million, largely driven by Nintendo Switch 2, while PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and the original Switch saw double-digit declines.
Which game titles were notable in September 2025?
In addition to Borderlands 4, key releases included EA Sports FC 26, Ghost of Yotei, Silent Hill: f, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, NHL 26, Digimon Story: Time Stranger, and the Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 compilation.
What trends were observed in content and subscription revenue?
Content sales rose 11% year-over-year to $4.3 billion, driven by a 32% increase in subscription services, 12% growth in console game sales, and 4% growth in mobile gaming revenue.
How did mobile gaming perform in September 2025?
Top-grossing mobile games included MONOPOLY GO!, Royal Match, Candy Crush Saga, Roblox, and Coin Master, highlighting continued interest in mobile titles despite slower growth compared to subscriptions and console games.
What were the platform-specific trends in September 2025?
On PlayStation, NBA 2K26 surpassed Ghost of Yotei for the top spot, while Helldivers II remained fourth on Xbox. The Switch saw a strong launch for the Super Mario Galaxy compilation, with EA Sports FC 26 ranking above NBA 2K26, suggesting player preferences differ by platform. PC charts largely mirrored console trends, with Digimon Story: Time Stranger taking the second-highest revenue position.
