US sales of PlayStation 4 and Xbox One hardware are declining faster than expected ahead of this year’s next-gen console launches, NPD data suggests.
Sales of both current-gen systems were significantly lower in January, compared to the same period during the last console generation (January 2013).
In comparison, sales ofNintendo Switchhardware remained relatively steady.
Following the data’s publication,Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmadsuggested that a number of factors could have contributed to the decline of current-gen hardware sales.
“PS4and XB1 have both held at current price points for a number of years,” he said, adding that the impact of early announcements for both next-gen consoles –PS5 was announced almost 18 months ahead of launch– also likely contributed.
The fact that bothPS5andXbox Series Xare confirmed to be backwards compatible with current-gen games could also have contributed.
There have also been delays to key titles planned for 2020, IncludingThe Last of Us Part 2andCyberpunk 2077.
Overall, US hardware spending was down 35 percent in January, when compared to a year ago. Total spending across hardware, software, accessories and game cards fell 26 percent.
Nintendo Switch was the best-selling hardware platform of January in both unit and dollar sales.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot was January’s best-selling game, followed byCall of Duty: Modern Warfare.
Grand Theft Auto V– still the best-selling game in US history – returned to the top five best-selling games for the first time since August 2019.
MeanwhileNintendo‘sRing Fit Adventurewas the ninth ranked title on the best-sellers chart in January, the highest placement for the game to date.
