Between sure bets and surprises, the video game market in the United States shows a nuanced face at mid-year. According to Circana (formerly NPD) data, the ranking of sales in 2026 is led by Resident Evil: Requiem, driven by a stronger launch than that of Village. Sports licenses cling to the top, while “evergreen” titles like Minecraft and GTA V continue to accumulate revenue. Meanwhile, the Switch 2 boosts hardware and supports the game industry despite overall stable software. Finally, the shadow of GTA 6 looms over the fall, with a release scheduled for November 19 and unprecedented expectations.
This overview is based on sales in dollars, not units, which favors premium editions and additional content. It should also be noted that some publishers do not share their digital figures, which affects the reading of the top 20. Yet, the dynamic remains clear: a mix of blockbusters, annual sports, and long-tail hits shapes the major trends of 2026. From stores to platforms, the signal is consistent: the best games no longer settle for a good launch; they build durable attention economies through updates, events, and pricing strategies adapted to the seasons.
- Resident Evil: Requiem dominates cumulative revenue at mid-year.
- Sports lead the way with NBA 2K26 and Madden NFL 26 in the top 5.
- Hardware progresses thanks to the Switch 2, up against 2025.
- Software remains solid: $4.016 B in February, $8.282 B cumulative YTD.
- GTA 6 arrives on 11/19 and could shake up the annual hierarchy.
The 20 best-selling video games in the United States in 2026: mid-year ranking
This ranking is based on sales in dollars aggregated by Circana. Titles marked with * do not include digital sales, and those marked with ^ do not include digital sales on Nintendo platforms. This reading therefore varies according to publishers’ reporting policies.
- Resident Evil: Requiem
- NBA 2K26
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
- Madden NFL 26
- Minecraft^
- EA Sports FC 26
- Battlefield 6
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Red Dead Redemption II
- Helldivers 2
- Forza Horizon 5
- Code Vein II
- Ghost of Yotei
- Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined
- Final Fantasy VII: Remake
- Pokémon Legends Z-A*
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- EA Sports College Football 26
- Split Fiction
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Note: Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined had a strong start in February. Conversely, Mario Tennis Fever and God of War: Sons of Sparta do not appear in the cumulative top 20 despite a presence in the monthly charts.
Mid-year market trends: triumphant horror, dominant sports, and indestructible catalogs
The success of Resident Evil: Requiem is explained by a launch better than that of Village: first-week revenues jumped more than 60%, with units up 40%. This commercial intensity shows an audience receptive to controlled sequels and effective communication. On the sports side, NBA 2K26 and Madden NFL 26 capitalize on their news windows: NBA playoffs in spring, draft and training camps for the NFL.
At the same time, the “evergreen” retain remarkable inertia. Minecraft, GTA V and Red Dead Redemption II benefit from a mix of price-perceived value, updates, and word of mouth. At the fictional retailer GameYard, Maya, head of departments, notes recurring peaks during school holiday promotions. The premium catalog thus continues to pour revenue between two giants.
Spending and consoles: the Switch 2 effect supports software momentum
On hardware, February shows $326 M, up about 22% year-on-year. The Switch 2 compensates for declines in PS5, Xbox Series X|S and the “OG” Switch. Better yet, its first nine months exceed the trajectory of the 2017 Switch by 45%. On the software side, spending reaches $4.016 B in February, stable year-on-year, and accumulates $8.282 B since January, slightly growing.
Both in-store and online, this expanded installed base fuels long life cycles. Exclusives and bundles also drive average tickets. Thus, revenue rankings favor premium editions and annual passes, which mechanically support sports franchises and AAA with sustained additional content.
These figures confirm a year of adjustment rather than disruption, awaiting the end-of-year shock. Publishers are therefore fine-tuning update rhythms and calibrating their prices according to calendar events.
GTA 6: the absentee already redefining plans for the fall
GTA 6 releases on November 19. It therefore does not appear in this mid-year ranking, but it is already shaping marketing strategies. Distributors are preparing allocations, while some October releases avoid a direct head-to-head. For market players, the priority is to occupy space until Halloween, then reposition from Thanksgiving week.
Practically, studios rely on live in-game events and tactical price reductions. The goal is clear: secure Q3 and Q4 revenues before the expected tidal wave. Sports licenses could however cushion the impact, carried by the TV calendar and gift season.
If price elasticity remains favorable on blockbusters, adjusting middle-market catalogs will be crucial. Places 6 to 15 in the top 20 could therefore see more movement than usual at year-end.
Zoom on newcomers and survivors in the top 20
Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined marks a notable breakthrough, driven by nostalgia and an effective overhaul. Code Vein II and Ghost of Yotei reveal the strength of ambitious AA+ titles when artistic identity is clear. Conversely, Mario Tennis Fever and God of War: Sons of Sparta stand out mainly monthly, without converting in cumulative results.
The survivors confirm their status. Helldivers 2 relies on an engaged community and regular events. Forza Horizon 5 capitalizes on its festival approach and flexible seasonal content. Finally, Final Fantasy VII: Remake picks up speed thanks to price drops and complete editions, proving a heritage JRPG can still expand its audience.
Ranking methodology and reading Circana figures
To properly read this top 20, a few principles apply. First, the ranking is based on dollars spent and not on units, which affects hierarchy. Then, certain digital sales are not shared, especially for titles marked with * or ^. Finally, the scope covers all platforms combined, with monthly tracking then annual cumulative.
- Base: software revenues aggregated by Circana, cumulative at mid-year.
- Scope: premium games; additional content according to publisher reporting.
- Exclusions: digital not communicated for certain platforms/publishers.
- Reading: premium editions and bundles weigh more.
When the sports calendar and retail influence sales
Sport seasonality structures the podium. NBA 2K26 benefits from playoffs, roster updates, and marketing focused on US basketball culture. Madden NFL 26 occupies the radar with training camps and pre-season. In the GameYard store in Columbus, Maya thus observes a “matchday” effect on cards and credits, correlated with major televised matches.
Retail is not left behind. Console+game bundles and weekend flash discounts trigger conversion spikes. Online, publishers synchronize sales and content drops to take advantage of attention windows. In the end, the mid-year trends reveal an agile market, where the offer adapts its pace to player habits and media highlights.
Frequently Asked Questions about the mid-year sales ranking in the United States
Why is Resident Evil: Requiem number 1 at mid-year?
Its launch generated more than 60% more revenue than Village in the first week, with 40% additional units. Effective marketing, an active fan base, and positive word of mouth explain this traction.
Is the top 20 based on units sold?
No. Circana ranks games based on sales in dollars. Premium editions, bundles, and content purchases can therefore influence the hierarchy.
Why do some Nintendo games seem underrepresented?
For titles marked * or ^, certain digital sales are not included. This lack of complete reporting can lower their apparent position.
Does Switch 2 change the game in 2026?
Yes. Hardware spending increased by about 22% in February, and Switch 2 surpasses the trajectory of the original Switch by 45% over the first nine months. This installed base supports catalogs.
Can GTA 6 overturn the annual ranking?
Its release on November 19 could reshuffle the fourth-quarter cards. Its impact could propel the title to the annual top despite limited presence on the 2026 calendar.