PlayStation 5 Leads Console Sales Ahead of GTA VI Launch
Sony Interactive Entertainment saw PlayStation 5 sales surge in the U.S. and Europe for September 2026, driven by new titles and the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI.
The PlayStation 5 became the best-selling video game console in the United States and Europe for September 2026. In the U.S., unit sales increased 22% year-over-year and dollar sales grew 43%, marking the highest market share for Sony Interactive Entertainment since May 2025. This growth occurred despite a price increase and a social media blackout campaign.
Hardware revenue was significantly bolstered by the $900 premium PS5 Pro model, though memory chip shortages have left the device sold out or in limited supply at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Software success also played a role, as Marvel's Wolverine became the month's best-selling game. Market momentum is further accelerating ahead of the November 19 release of Grand Theft Auto VI, which has already generated an estimated $630 million in pre-orders, with 74% of those purchases occurring on the PS5.
In contrast, competitors faced steep declines. Microsoft's Xbox Series X|S saw U.S. unit sales drop 27%, resulting in its worst September on record. The Nintendo Switch 2 also experienced declines in both the U.S. and Europe. In Europe, the PS5 sold approximately 430,681 units in September, bringing its lifetime total to over 34 million, while the Switch 2 sold roughly 209,126 units.
