US consumer spending on video games reached a remarkable $5.9 billion in December 2025, marking a 3% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth was significantly driven by a substantial 24% rise in spending on subscription services, according to the latest data from Circana.
While the overall video game market saw a modest 1.4% uptick, the performance across various segments was mixed. PC, cloud, and non-console VR content experienced a 6% year-over-year increase. However, spending on console and mobile content remained flat, highlighting a shift in consumer preferences towards subscription-based models.
Nintendo Switch 2 Leads Hardware Sales
The Nintendo Switch 2 emerged as the best-selling hardware system in December, both in terms of units sold and dollar sales. This achievement cements its status as the fastest-selling video game console “in tracked history,” according to Circana’s data.
Despite the success in hardware sales, spending on video game accessories declined by 7% to $625 million. Notably, Nintendo’s Pro Controller, which had been the year’s best-selling accessory, was overtaken in December by the PlayStation Portal Midnight Black and the original PlayStation Portal, ranking first and second in accessory dollar sales.
Top-Selling Games and Industry Trends
December’s game sales were dominated by Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which topped the charts in both physical and digital sales. This marks the seventh consecutive year a Call of Duty title has claimed the top spot in December. Meanwhile, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was the only new release to break into the month’s Top 20, debuting at number seven.
For the entirety of 2025, Battlefield 6 was the standout performer, ending the year as the best-selling game by dollar sales across Xbox and aggregated PC storefronts. On the PlayStation 5, however, it was edged out by NBA 2K26, which claimed the top spot.
“Over half of all active users of the PlayStation and Xbox ecosystems engaged with Fortnite at least once,” reports Circana’s Player Engagement Trackers.
Moreover, Roblox emerged as the leading publisher in terms of digital retail spending, not only for December but for the entire year, with retail spend on the platform increasing by 16% year-over-year.
By the Numbers: December’s Top 20 Games
- 1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
- 2. NBA 2K26
- 3. Battlefield 6
- 4. Madden NFL 26
- 5. EA Sports FC 26
- 6. Pokémon Legends: Z-A*
- 7. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*
- 8. Minecraft^
- 9. Donkey Kong Bananza*
- 10. Ghost of Yotei
- 11. EA Sports College Football 26
- 12. Grand Theft Auto 5
- 13. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
- 14. Forza Horizon 5
- 15. Red Dead Redemption 2
- 16. Flight Simulator 2024
- 17. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
- 18. Kirby Air Raiders*
- 19. Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2*
- 20. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
*Digital sales not included for marked titles
^Digital sales on Nintendo platforms not included
Implications and Future Outlook
The increase in subscription service spending underscores a broader industry trend where consumers are increasingly favoring access over ownership. This shift is likely to influence future strategies for game developers and publishers, who may prioritize subscription models and cloud gaming services.
Looking ahead, the gaming industry is poised to continue its growth trajectory, driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences. The ongoing competition among major consoles and the rise of new gaming platforms will likely shape the landscape in the coming years.
As the industry adapts to these changes, stakeholders will need to balance innovation with consumer demands to sustain growth and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
