Call of Duty Remains a Sales Giant

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In January 2026, the U.S. video game industry generated $4.3 billion in revenue, including $248 million from console sales. This represents a 16% increase compared to January 2025, despite shifts in hardware spending and consumer behavior. While major players like Microsoft (pre-Activision Blizzard acquisition), Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, Embracer Group, Bandai Namco, Capcom, NCSoft, NetEase, and Nexon did not lead in sales during this period, the market saw notable trends. High console prices are causing consumers to delay upgrades, negatively affecting hardware spending. As video games become more expensive, price-conscious players are purchasing fewer new titles at full price. Publishers are increasingly relying on ongoing Games-as-a-Service (GAAS) titles like Fortnite, Genshin Impact, and Destiny 2 to retain players, reducing the likelihood of switching to new games. PlayStation 5 sales decreased by 17%, but the console remained the best-selling and highest-earning. The Nintendo Switch 2 secured second place in both metrics, while sales of the original Switch dropped by 79%, and Xbox Series sales fell by 27%. Spending on services increased by 23%.

Top 20 Best-Selling Premium Games – January 2026 (US) – Market in Transition

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 was the top-selling game, followed by NBA 2K26 and Madden NFL 26. Code Vein 2 from Bandai Namco, the only new entry among the top 20, was the best-selling PC game in the U.S. Final Fantasy VII: Remake jumped from 225th to 9th place with the release of its Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series versions, making it one of the few single-player-only games among the top 20 sellers. According to 2024 projections, the global video game industry is expected to generate nearly $455 billion, with mobile gaming accounting for $98.7 billion of that total. January 2026 Top 20 Best-Selling Premium Games – U.S. (Dollar Sales, Physical and Digital from digital data sharing publishers, excluding add-on content) (Note: Chamada de Duty ainda e um colosso de vendas is not to be translated.) These January 2026 results highlight a video game market in transition, with overall revenue growth driven by specific titles and services amidst changing consumer purchasing patterns.

In Case You Missed It

In a delightful departure from our usual gaming insights, we invite you to explore three captivating pieces published just this week. First up, Marcus Thompson’s “Sophie Turner’s New Pictures as Lara Croft on Set of Amazon’s Live-Action Tomb Raider” (published Feb 20th) offers fans a thrilling sneak peek into the upcoming series with stunning new photos of Sophie Turner as Lara Croft alongside her faithful companion Zip. See how this iconic character is being reimagined for the live-action adaptation here Sophie Turner’s New Pictures as Lara Croft on Set of Amazon’s Live-Action Tomb Raider Reveal a Different Look. Meanwhile, Ahmed Hassan takes us on an anime adventure with his recent piece “First Trailer for Steel Ball Run of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” (published February 19, 2026). Join jockey Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli as they embark on an extraordinary journey filled with action and adventure in Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of Part 7. Dive into Ahmed’s deep dive here First Trailer for Steel Ball Run of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. And if you’re a K-pop fan, Marcus Thompson’s “K-pop Warriors Sequel May Arrive After 2029” (published February 18, 2026) is an absolute must-read. Delving into an exclusive interview with Sony Pictures Animation presidents, this insightful piece reveals the latest scoop on our favorite K-pop idols’ cinematic comeback. So grab your light sticks and stay tuned for more updates on the K-pop Warriors universe here K-pop Warriors Sequel May Arrive After 2029.