Ghost of Tsushima Tops US Sales Charts in July

The NPD Group has published its report for video game spending in the United States for July 2020. To no one’s surprise, Ghost of Tsushima has topped the charts, becoming Sucker Punch’s fastest-selling game in history and the fifth best-selling title year-to-date. NPD analyst Mat Piscatella also noted on Twitter that in terms of dollar sales, it had achieved the fourth highest launch month sales for a Sony-published title in US history.

Paper Mario: The Origami King didn’t slouch in its debut either. Along with setting a new record launch month sales in the franchise, its physical dollar sales doubled were double that Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door’s launch month. The Last of Us Part 2 also continues to perform well with its life-to-date dollar sales being the third highest for a Sony-published game in history.

According to the report, consumer spending for video game hardware, content and accessories totaled $3.6 billion in July 2020 –  a 32 percent increase year-on year. Piscatella stated that, “Double-digit percentage spending gains in accessories, subscription, mobile, and both digital full game as well as post launch spending on console and PC offset a slight decline in hardware.” Year-to-date spending is in good shape, hitting $26 billion which is 21 percent higher than the same period last year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic necessitating being indoors, digital sales have also shot up. “Digital content spending — which includes full game downloads, post launch content, mobile and subscription spending — increased 41 percent. Year-to-date 2020 content spending reached $23 billion, a 21 percent increase when compared to the same period a year ago. While spending has increased across all digital content segments, the strongest gains have been achieved in digital content spending on console platforms.”

For the top 10 best-selling games in terms of dollars, see below. Stay tuned for more details on Ghost of Tsushima in the meantime, especially as it continues to dominate UK sales charts as well.

1. Ghost of Tsushima
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
3. Paper Mario: The Origami King*
4. The Last of Us: Part II
5. Animal Crossing: New Horizons*
6. Ring Fit Adventure
7. Mortal Kombat 11
8. Mario Kart 8: Deluxe*
9. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate*
10. Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris

*Does not include Nintendo eShop digital sales

US NPD SW – Ghost of Tsushima was July's best-selling title. Ghost of Tsushima is developer Sucker Punch Productions' fastest selling release in history. Ghost of Tsushima also debuts as 2020's 5th best-selling game year-to-date. pic.twitter.com/WUCF3QXDr6

— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) August 14, 2020