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What the December 2017 NPD total covers
The $3.29 billion figure is the total reported by NPD for November 26–December 30, 2017. GamesBeat reported that total and the 10% year-over-year increase; The Toy Book rounded it to $3.2 billion. Those are two presentations of the same result, not conflicting totals. The reporting reflects a snapshot of participating publishers and platforms, not a complete census of every video game sale: GamesBeat noted that the report omitted some spending, including digital sales through Blizzard’s Battle.net store. GamesBeat’s contemporaneous report and The Toy Book’s report reproduced NPD’s findings.
| Category | December 2017 spending | Year-over-year change |
|---|---|---|
| Total tracked spending | $3.29 billion | Up 10% from $3.00 billion |
| Hardware | $1.27 billion | Up 27% from $997 million |
| Console software | $1.24 billion | Up 2% |
| PC software | $40 million | Down 17% |
| Accessories | $735 million | Essentially flat, versus $734 million |
The category figures describe the reported market tracked by NPD, as reproduced in the contemporaneous GamesBeat and Toy Book coverage; they should not be read as totals for every storefront or transaction.
Which console led in December—and which led in 2017?
December: Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch was the best-selling hardware platform in December 2017. Nintendo-reported figures carried by Game Developer put U.S. Switch sales at 1.5 million units for the month and 4.8 million lifetime U.S. units by the end of the year. Those unit counts are Nintendo’s figures, not a public NPD unit-sales breakdown. Game Developer reported Nintendo’s figures.
#1 Best Overall
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
- GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
Full calendar year: PlayStation 4
The monthly result does not mean Switch won the year. NPD analyst Mat Piscatella said: “Nintendo Switch was the best-selling hardware platform in the month of December, while Sony’s PlayStation 4 was the best-selling hardware platform of 2017.” The quotation and annual ranking were reproduced by The Toy Book.
Which games sold best in December 2017?
Call of Duty: WWII topped the reported all-platform December software chart, and Super Mario Odyssey ranked third overall. In the Switch-specific top five, the rankings were:
Rank #2
- 6.2” LCD screen
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
- Nintendo Switch is the home of Mario & friends
- Super Mario Odyssey
- Mario Kart 8
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Splatoon 2
- Xenoblade Chronicles 2
These are chart placements, not a complete account of every game sale: GamesBeat marked that its chart excluded digital sales for some titles or platforms. See GamesBeat’s chart and its digital-sales qualifications.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Accessories: a flat total hid sharp category shifts
Accessories spending was $735 million, nearly unchanged from $734 million a year earlier. Within that stable overall result, interactive gaming toys fell 66%, cases rose 167%, and gamepad spending increased 10%. GamesBeat reported that the DualShock 4 led gamepad spending. The varied subcategory changes show why the aggregate figure alone does not describe what consumers bought.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- One player can use a Joy-Con in each hand
- Two players can each take one
- Multiple Joy-Con can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options (additional Joy-Con sold separately)
- Slip a set of Joy-Con into a Joy-Con grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- 6.2” LCD screen.
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
Rank #3
- Play your way with the Nintendo Switch gaming system. Whether you’re at home or on the go, solo or with friends, the Nintendo Switch system is designed to fit your life. Dock your Nintendo Switch to enjoy HD gaming on your TV. Heading out? Just undock your console and keep playing in handheld mode
- This model includes battery life of approximately 4.5 - 9 hours.
- The battery life will depend on the games you play. For instance, the battery will last approximately 5.5 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (games sold separately)
- Model number HAC 001( 01)
How to read the result
- Keep the periods separate: Switch led December hardware sales; PS4 led the full 2017 calendar-year hardware ranking.
- Keep the rounding in view: $3.29 billion is the reported total; $3.2 billion is the rounded version in The Toy Book’s account.
- Keep the coverage caveat in view: this is NPD-tracked spending as reported at the time, with some market activity omitted—not an all-channel industry census.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
