The Nintendo Switch found itself back on top of the video game industry for July, beating the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One, due to the release of Square Enix RPG Octopath Traveler.
An Osaka-based analyst claimed that Nintendo Switch sales will reach 25 million units in Nintendo's current fiscal year, exceeding the company's target of 20 million units. It appears that the hybrid console is well on its way to that outcome, especially with even better months expected ahead.
Nintendo Switch Wins July With The Help Of 'Octopath Traveler'
The PlayStation 4 has maintained first place in terms of hardware sales for most of the year, and was looking to make it six months in a row in July. However, a slow month for the PlayStation 4 combined with a big release for the Nintendo Switch propelled the hybrid console to the top.
According to NPD analyst Mat Piscatella, year-to-date spending across the video game industry, including hardware, software, accessories, and game cards, is higher by 17 percent, improving to $6.8 billion from $5.8 billion, compared with the same period last year. For the month of July alone, total revenue is up 14 percent to $749 million, from $655 million.
All three major consoles are performing positively in the United States, with the PlayStation 4 remaining as the best-selling system for 2018. The resurgence of the Nintendo Switch to take first place in July, meanwhile, was attributed to Octopath Traveler.
Octopath Traveler was the best-selling game for July, according to NPD, leading to higher Nintendo Switch sales compared to the PlayStation 4. It should also be noted that half of the 10 best-selling games for the month are Nintendo Switch exclusives, namely Mario Kart 8 at third, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at fifth, Super Mario Odyssey at seventh, and Mario Tennis Aces at tenth.
Interestingly, Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013, is at second place, primarily due to the popularity of GTA Online.
Nintendo Switch vs PlayStation 4
The PlayStation 4 is in a position to take back the top spot soon, with the highly anticipated Spider-Man releasing in September and Red Dead Redemption 2 in October.
However, the Nintendo Switch has its own big games coming up, including Diablo III: Eternal Collection, Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate all coming this year.
All of these games lead to the lucrative holiday season, when the PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch are expected to ramp up their rivalry.
