Metroid: Dread | Source: Nintendo

The U.S. video game industry is still booming.

According to The NPD Group, consumer spending across video game hardware, content, and accessories spiked 16% in October to a record $4.4 billion for the month. For the first 10 months of 2021, gamers spent $46.7 billion, a 12% gain versus the same period last year.

The new console generation continues to fuel growth for the industry with hardware sales up 82% in October for a 53% year-to-date gain. But, according to NPD, it’s still the Nintendo Switch that’s leading the pack in terms of platforms with the new OLED Model helping the portable console to keep its momentum. In terms of total dollar sales, Sony’s Playstation 5 leads the pack while the Nintendo Switch leads in total units.

According to NPD video games industry analyst, Mat Piscatella, Far Cry 6 debuted as October’s bestselling game and ranked No. 1 on both Xbox and Playstation. Back 4 Blood followed as the No. 2 title, both overall and for Xbox and Playstation. Metroid: Dread was the No. 3 title overall and ranked No. 1 for Nintendo Switch.

“While the market has seen a slight decline in the overall number of people playing video games, those that are playing are doing so for more hours, and spending more, than they did a year ago.” Piscatella says.

Related: Arcade1Up Reveals Updated Countercade, Head-to-Head Arcade Table Lineup

According to Sensor Tower, the top mobile games in terms of revenue were Candy Crush Saga, Garena Free Fire, Roblox, Coin Master, Pokémon GO, Call of Duty: Mobile, Homescapes, Lords Mobile, Clash Royale, and Genshin Impact.

The NPD Group compiles its data using its monthly POS tracking services, as well as consumer data from its other trackers and reports. Sensor Tower contributes mobile spending data.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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