John Welfare
@johnbp.bsky.social
Video game enthusiast, follow sales and provide questionable commentary.
Go to https://www.installbaseforum.com/ for dedicated video game sales discussions.
My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWelfare
Go to https://www.installbaseforum.com/ for dedicated video game sales discussions.
My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWelfare
Pinned
John Welfare
@johnbp.bsky.social
· Jun 17
The Record Breaking Success of Switch 2 Explained
YouTube video by Welfare
www.youtube.com
I went over the massive Switch 2 launch sales and what a likely month 1 result for it is
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YHF...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YHF...
Reposted by John Welfare
Here's a wild (but not surprising?) stat -
53% of US video game hardware buyers in Q4 '25 had a household income of $100k+ - a record high - and up from 40% in Q1 '22.
The average price of video game hardware in the US was $373 in Q1 2022, jumping to $446 by Q4 2025.
Source: Circana Checkout
53% of US video game hardware buyers in Q4 '25 had a household income of $100k+ - a record high - and up from 40% in Q1 '22.
The average price of video game hardware in the US was $373 in Q1 2022, jumping to $446 by Q4 2025.
Source: Circana Checkout
January 29, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Here's a wild (but not surprising?) stat -
53% of US video game hardware buyers in Q4 '25 had a household income of $100k+ - a record high - and up from 40% in Q1 '22.
The average price of video game hardware in the US was $373 in Q1 2022, jumping to $446 by Q4 2025.
Source: Circana Checkout
53% of US video game hardware buyers in Q4 '25 had a household income of $100k+ - a record high - and up from 40% in Q1 '22.
The average price of video game hardware in the US was $373 in Q1 2022, jumping to $446 by Q4 2025.
Source: Circana Checkout
Reposted by John Welfare
Jurassic World Evolution 3 had a strong debut for publisher Frontier Developments. The game sold over 900k units up to December 31, 2025, generating over £34M in revenue.
Total revenue for the franchise is around £325M in 7.5 years.
Total revenue for the franchise is around £325M in 7.5 years.
January 26, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Jurassic World Evolution 3 had a strong debut for publisher Frontier Developments. The game sold over 900k units up to December 31, 2025, generating over £34M in revenue.
Total revenue for the franchise is around £325M in 7.5 years.
Total revenue for the franchise is around £325M in 7.5 years.
Just beat Expedition 33
Now I understand all the insane praise this game got. However Sandfall produced it needs to be looked at by other studios. A lot to take inspiration from.
So fun to play and I love the characters and story. Music is also a banger.
Now I understand all the insane praise this game got. However Sandfall produced it needs to be looked at by other studios. A lot to take inspiration from.
So fun to play and I love the characters and story. Music is also a banger.
January 27, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Just beat Expedition 33
Now I understand all the insane praise this game got. However Sandfall produced it needs to be looked at by other studios. A lot to take inspiration from.
So fun to play and I love the characters and story. Music is also a banger.
Now I understand all the insane praise this game got. However Sandfall produced it needs to be looked at by other studios. A lot to take inspiration from.
So fun to play and I love the characters and story. Music is also a banger.
Reposted by John Welfare
Here's a fun fact, courtesy of Circana's Retail Tracking Service.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons was the #1 selling physical video game for the week ending Jan 17th in both units and dollars in the US. The 3.0 content update released during the week.
That's up from #27 in dollars the prior week.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons was the #1 selling physical video game for the week ending Jan 17th in both units and dollars in the US. The 3.0 content update released during the week.
That's up from #27 in dollars the prior week.
January 26, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Here's a fun fact, courtesy of Circana's Retail Tracking Service.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons was the #1 selling physical video game for the week ending Jan 17th in both units and dollars in the US. The 3.0 content update released during the week.
That's up from #27 in dollars the prior week.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons was the #1 selling physical video game for the week ending Jan 17th in both units and dollars in the US. The 3.0 content update released during the week.
That's up from #27 in dollars the prior week.
Reposted by John Welfare
Dragon Ball Sparking Zero new major DLC coming soon
-new characters
-new costumes
-new stages
-new mode
-new battle attacks
Free update also coming on Jan 26th JST adding single player mode Mission 100
Updates come later for Switch/Switch 2 for major DLC + free update
-new characters
-new costumes
-new stages
-new mode
-new battle attacks
Free update also coming on Jan 26th JST adding single player mode Mission 100
Updates come later for Switch/Switch 2 for major DLC + free update
January 25, 2026 at 2:33 AM
Dragon Ball Sparking Zero new major DLC coming soon
-new characters
-new costumes
-new stages
-new mode
-new battle attacks
Free update also coming on Jan 26th JST adding single player mode Mission 100
Updates come later for Switch/Switch 2 for major DLC + free update
-new characters
-new costumes
-new stages
-new mode
-new battle attacks
Free update also coming on Jan 26th JST adding single player mode Mission 100
Updates come later for Switch/Switch 2 for major DLC + free update
Reposted by John Welfare
Some 2025 US video game sales fun facts:
- 49% of PS5 and 66% of XBS hardware sales in 2025 did not include a physical media drive
- 13% of PS5 purchases in 2025 were of Pro models
- PlayStation Portal now has a 7% attach rate to PS5 hardware LTD
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
- 49% of PS5 and 66% of XBS hardware sales in 2025 did not include a physical media drive
- 13% of PS5 purchases in 2025 were of Pro models
- PlayStation Portal now has a 7% attach rate to PS5 hardware LTD
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
January 22, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Some 2025 US video game sales fun facts:
- 49% of PS5 and 66% of XBS hardware sales in 2025 did not include a physical media drive
- 13% of PS5 purchases in 2025 were of Pro models
- PlayStation Portal now has a 7% attach rate to PS5 hardware LTD
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
- 49% of PS5 and 66% of XBS hardware sales in 2025 did not include a physical media drive
- 13% of PS5 purchases in 2025 were of Pro models
- PlayStation Portal now has a 7% attach rate to PS5 hardware LTD
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
Reposted by John Welfare
2025 Circana Thread for Sickos
3DS games sold exactly 1 new physical unit in the US in 2025:
7th Dragon III Code: VFD
Bust-A-Move Universe
Ever Oasis
Fantasy Life
Imagine: Fashion Designer
Metroid: Samus Returns SE
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
3DS games sold exactly 1 new physical unit in the US in 2025:
7th Dragon III Code: VFD
Bust-A-Move Universe
Ever Oasis
Fantasy Life
Imagine: Fashion Designer
Metroid: Samus Returns SE
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
January 22, 2026 at 8:46 PM
2025 Circana Thread for Sickos
3DS games sold exactly 1 new physical unit in the US in 2025:
7th Dragon III Code: VFD
Bust-A-Move Universe
Ever Oasis
Fantasy Life
Imagine: Fashion Designer
Metroid: Samus Returns SE
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
3DS games sold exactly 1 new physical unit in the US in 2025:
7th Dragon III Code: VFD
Bust-A-Move Universe
Ever Oasis
Fantasy Life
Imagine: Fashion Designer
Metroid: Samus Returns SE
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
Reposted by John Welfare
Dec PS5 units were down approx 30%, XBS down approx 55% and Switch 1 down a little over 70%.
NEX Playground was 5th in both units and rev in Dec but still managed to move a bit shy of 200k despite battling sellouts and out of stocks, which is really good, considering.
NEX Playground was 5th in both units and rev in Dec but still managed to move a bit shy of 200k despite battling sellouts and out of stocks, which is really good, considering.
January 22, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Dec PS5 units were down approx 30%, XBS down approx 55% and Switch 1 down a little over 70%.
NEX Playground was 5th in both units and rev in Dec but still managed to move a bit shy of 200k despite battling sellouts and out of stocks, which is really good, considering.
NEX Playground was 5th in both units and rev in Dec but still managed to move a bit shy of 200k despite battling sellouts and out of stocks, which is really good, considering.
Reposted by John Welfare
Please note - this should read "fastest selling video game console hardware platform."
The Game Boy Advance is the fastest selling hardware platform overall in the US after 7 months in market.
Apologies for the error.
The Game Boy Advance is the fastest selling hardware platform overall in the US after 7 months in market.
Apologies for the error.
Hardware - Nintendo Switch 2 remains the fastest selling video game hardware platform in tracked history. Unit sales of Nintendo Switch 2 are 35% ahead of PlayStation 4’s sales pace after 7 months in market.
January 22, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Please note - this should read "fastest selling video game console hardware platform."
The Game Boy Advance is the fastest selling hardware platform overall in the US after 7 months in market.
Apologies for the error.
The Game Boy Advance is the fastest selling hardware platform overall in the US after 7 months in market.
Apologies for the error.
That Prince of Persia remake is fucking cursed lmao
Will be rebooted by the end of the decade I'm sure
Will be rebooted by the end of the decade I'm sure
January 21, 2026 at 6:32 PM
That Prince of Persia remake is fucking cursed lmao
Will be rebooted by the end of the decade I'm sure
Will be rebooted by the end of the decade I'm sure
Reposted by John Welfare
NEW: In an extraordinary legal filing, former Activision Blizzard boss Bobby Kotick says an ongoing lawsuit against the Microsoft-Activision deal was secretly set up to help The Embracer Group
Embracer tells me they're “humbled” but deny the claim. This one's wild
www.gamefile.news/p/bobby-koti...
Embracer tells me they're “humbled” but deny the claim. This one's wild
www.gamefile.news/p/bobby-koti...
Former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick says lawsuit opposing Microsoft-Activision deal was secretly meant to help The Embracer Group (Embracer, “humbled,” denies involvement)
In a grievance-filled legal filing, Kotick also vows to “shine a light on the gross misconduct of the activists who invented the false narrative of misconduct at Activision… “
www.gamefile.news
January 14, 2026 at 12:59 AM
NEW: In an extraordinary legal filing, former Activision Blizzard boss Bobby Kotick says an ongoing lawsuit against the Microsoft-Activision deal was secretly set up to help The Embracer Group
Embracer tells me they're “humbled” but deny the claim. This one's wild
www.gamefile.news/p/bobby-koti...
Embracer tells me they're “humbled” but deny the claim. This one's wild
www.gamefile.news/p/bobby-koti...
The more Microsoft pushes into AI the more I want them to fail. Renaming Office to 365 Copilot is so stupid.
You're not winning at AI and it's obvious that consumers will not spend money on it.
You're not winning at AI and it's obvious that consumers will not spend money on it.
January 5, 2026 at 7:47 PM
The more Microsoft pushes into AI the more I want them to fail. Renaming Office to 365 Copilot is so stupid.
You're not winning at AI and it's obvious that consumers will not spend money on it.
You're not winning at AI and it's obvious that consumers will not spend money on it.
@matpiscatella.bsky.social anything note worthy on hardware share for Christmas week, like what you shared for Black Friday?
January 5, 2026 at 4:19 PM
@matpiscatella.bsky.social anything note worthy on hardware share for Christmas week, like what you shared for Black Friday?
Reposted by John Welfare
New year, new (old) data.
Thanks to our friends at @installbase.bsky.social we've saved up the 2017 Famitsu Top 1000, here are updates for hundreds of games for the 7th and 8th systems, as well as the first Switch year.
Updated data is also on the main page
sites.google.com/site/gamedat...
Thanks to our friends at @installbase.bsky.social we've saved up the 2017 Famitsu Top 1000, here are updates for hundreds of games for the 7th and 8th systems, as well as the first Switch year.
Updated data is also on the main page
sites.google.com/site/gamedat...
January 1, 2026 at 10:08 PM
New year, new (old) data.
Thanks to our friends at @installbase.bsky.social we've saved up the 2017 Famitsu Top 1000, here are updates for hundreds of games for the 7th and 8th systems, as well as the first Switch year.
Updated data is also on the main page
sites.google.com/site/gamedat...
Thanks to our friends at @installbase.bsky.social we've saved up the 2017 Famitsu Top 1000, here are updates for hundreds of games for the 7th and 8th systems, as well as the first Switch year.
Updated data is also on the main page
sites.google.com/site/gamedat...
Reposted by John Welfare
Was curious, so I looked into the most played games on Christmas Day the last few years, and, well, yep.
(Note: Call of Duty for years 2023-2025 includes all games that can be played through the Call of Duty launcher.)
A wee bit static at the top.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
(Note: Call of Duty for years 2023-2025 includes all games that can be played through the Call of Duty launcher.)
A wee bit static at the top.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
December 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Was curious, so I looked into the most played games on Christmas Day the last few years, and, well, yep.
(Note: Call of Duty for years 2023-2025 includes all games that can be played through the Call of Duty launcher.)
A wee bit static at the top.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
(Note: Call of Duty for years 2023-2025 includes all games that can be played through the Call of Duty launcher.)
A wee bit static at the top.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
Reposted by John Welfare
Here are the Xbox and Steam top 5's.
December 28, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Here are the Xbox and Steam top 5's.
Reposted by John Welfare
Titanfall 2's campaign is nothing short of a masterpiece, and what a gift it was for all of us.
Such heart, incredible design, impeccable mechanics.
Nearly ten years later it more than holds up, it remains arguably the pinnacle of the genre.
If you've never played it, please do so.
Such heart, incredible design, impeccable mechanics.
Nearly ten years later it more than holds up, it remains arguably the pinnacle of the genre.
If you've never played it, please do so.
December 23, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Titanfall 2's campaign is nothing short of a masterpiece, and what a gift it was for all of us.
Such heart, incredible design, impeccable mechanics.
Nearly ten years later it more than holds up, it remains arguably the pinnacle of the genre.
If you've never played it, please do so.
Such heart, incredible design, impeccable mechanics.
Nearly ten years later it more than holds up, it remains arguably the pinnacle of the genre.
If you've never played it, please do so.
To me, Vince Zampella was a rockstar of the games industry. He worked on some of the most influential and important games in the medium and still felt like he had more to give after Battlefield 6.
Rest in peace, what a horrible way to go.
Rest in peace, what a horrible way to go.
December 22, 2025 at 8:24 PM
To me, Vince Zampella was a rockstar of the games industry. He worked on some of the most influential and important games in the medium and still felt like he had more to give after Battlefield 6.
Rest in peace, what a horrible way to go.
Rest in peace, what a horrible way to go.
Turned the young 28 today
December 22, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Turned the young 28 today
Reposted by John Welfare
Holy crap chart from Gallup
December 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Holy crap chart from Gallup
Reposted by John Welfare
Nex Playground is the new console sensation in America. It's sold out across the country, and the company behind it are flying in hardware to try and meet Christmas demand. We speak to their CEO on the remarkable journey so far www.thegamebusiness.com/p/we-want-a-...
“We want a Nex Playground in every living room”
Nex CEO David Lee shares the remarkable story of the family game console that’s taking America by storm
www.thegamebusiness.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Nex Playground is the new console sensation in America. It's sold out across the country, and the company behind it are flying in hardware to try and meet Christmas demand. We speak to their CEO on the remarkable journey so far www.thegamebusiness.com/p/we-want-a-...
Reposted by John Welfare
Correct, and in that order on a unit basis. These were the only 3 platforms to sell at least 1M units that year.
Ranking 4th through 7th in 1995 were Game Gear, PlayStation, Saturn and... Virtual Boy.
Ranking 4th through 7th in 1995 were Game Gear, PlayStation, Saturn and... Virtual Boy.
December 18, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Correct, and in that order on a unit basis. These were the only 3 platforms to sell at least 1M units that year.
Ranking 4th through 7th in 1995 were Game Gear, PlayStation, Saturn and... Virtual Boy.
Ranking 4th through 7th in 1995 were Game Gear, PlayStation, Saturn and... Virtual Boy.
Reposted by John Welfare
US video game hardware total units sold and average price paid, Nov 1995 through Nov 2025.
December 17, 2025 at 3:30 PM
US video game hardware total units sold and average price paid, Nov 1995 through Nov 2025.
Reposted by John Welfare
The average price paid for a new unit of video game hardware in the US during November 2019 was $235. In November 2025 it was $439.
3.9 million units of video game hardware sold in the US in November 2019. In November 2025 it was 1.6 million.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
3.9 million units of video game hardware sold in the US in November 2019. In November 2025 it was 1.6 million.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
December 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The average price paid for a new unit of video game hardware in the US during November 2019 was $235. In November 2025 it was $439.
3.9 million units of video game hardware sold in the US in November 2019. In November 2025 it was 1.6 million.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
3.9 million units of video game hardware sold in the US in November 2019. In November 2025 it was 1.6 million.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service