Nintendo Switch 2 has reached another major milestone, becoming the second-fastest-selling gaming console in U.S. history after just 12 months on the market.

The achievement comes during a challenging period for the console industry, with both PlayStation and Xbox experiencing significant declines in hardware sales while Nintendo continues to gain momentum.

Switch 2 Sells 5.9 Million Units in Its First Year

According to the latest U.S. sales data shared by industry analyst Mat Piscatella, Nintendo Switch 2 sold 5.9 million units across its first twelve months in the United States.

That places the console behind only the Game Boy Advance, which remains the fastest-selling gaming hardware launch in U.S. history with more than 6.5 million units sold during its first year.

The strong performance also helped offset declining hardware sales elsewhere in the market.

Nintendo Leads Hardware Sales in 2026

Switch 2 finished May 2026 as the best-selling console in the United States in both unit sales and revenue.

PlayStation 5 ranked second across both categories, while Xbox continued to struggle following another difficult month for Microsoft’s gaming hardware business.

Overall, U.S. video game spending reached $4.2 billion during May 2026, representing a 3% year-over-year increase.

Year-to-date spending has also risen by 4%, reaching approximately $23 billion.

PlayStation and Xbox Continue to Face Headwinds

Nintendo’s success comes as its competitors deal with slowing hardware demand.

Recent industry reports showed that PlayStation recorded its weakest May hardware sales in the last 25 years, while Xbox experienced its lowest May console sales since tracking began.

Despite recent price increases for Switch 2 hardware and accessories in several regions, Nintendo’s newest console has continued to attract consumers at a remarkable pace.

A Strong Start for Nintendo’s New Generation

The Switch 2’s first year demonstrates that demand for Nintendo’s hybrid platform remains exceptionally strong.

While the console still trails the Game Boy Advance’s historic launch pace, becoming the second-fastest-selling console in U.S. history is another major milestone for Nintendo and reinforces the company’s position as the current leader in hardware sales throughout 2026.