The U.S. video game market has seen a significant drop in hardware spending, with a 40% decline compared to 2023, according to Circana’s May 2024 highlights.
This trend reflects double-digit percentage decreases for all major console manufacturers—Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT), Nintendo ADR (OTC:NTDOY), and Sony Group Corp. (NYSE:SONY). Notably, the Nintendo Switch has experienced the steepest decline in sales.
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Impact Of Major Game Releases
Circana’s Executive Director and Video Game Industry Advisor, Mat Piscatella, noted on X/Twitter that this hardware spending slump can be “partially” attributed to the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.