NPD: US game spending dipped 5% to $57bn in 2022

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According to tracking firm NPD's latest report, US games sales in 2022 totaled $57 billion; the figure represents a 5% decline compared to 2021, which amassed $60 billion.

Software comprised most of the year's revenue (84%), with game content spending reaching $47.5 billion in 2022.

Software sales decreased by 7% compared to 2021, including digital games, DLC, and subscriptions across consoles, cloud, mobile, portable, PC, and VR hardware.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was the best-selling game of 2022, and Bandai Namco's Elden Ring followed as second. EA's Madden NFL 23 was the third best-seller title of the year.

Looking at 2022 exclusives, God of War: Ragnarok was the best-selling game on the PlayStation consoles, Pokémon: Scarlet and Violet were number one on Nintendo platforms, and Forza Horizon 5 was the top Microsoft exclusive throughout the year.

Unlike software, hardware sales grew with console revenues reaching $6.57 billion last year, up 8% from 2021.

In terms of units sold, the Nintendo Switch led the year in console sales. While Sony's PlayStation 5 was the top-selling platform in hardware dollar sales in 2022.

Consumer spending on game accessories increased by 8% in 2022, for $2.5 billion. The Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller was the best-selling gamepad throughout the year.

The NPD report also highlighted the best sellers of December 2022, with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 taking the top spot, Pokémon: Scarlet and Pokémon: Violet, while God of War Ragnarok came in third.

Consumer spending grew by 2% compared to 2021, reaching $7.6 billion during the month.

Hardware sales in December were up 16% to $1.53 billion, as the PlayStation 5 was the top-selling console for the month.

Here are the 2022 top 20 games (physical and digital) ranked on dollar sales, data courtesy of NPD: