The video game industry just hit a surprising milestone, and it’s not just about the games themselves. While the U.S. saw a modest 3% increase in video game spending in December 2025, reaching a staggering $5.9 billion, the real story lies in the explosive 24% growth of subscription services. But here's where it gets controversial: are subscriptions the future of gaming, or just a passing trend? Let’s dive in.
Roblox didn’t just dominate December—it crowned itself the biggest publisher of the entire year, with a 16% year-over-year surge in retail spending on its platform. But this is the part most people miss: while Roblox thrived, the overall U.S. game market only saw a 1.4% uptick, with console and mobile spending remaining flat. So, what’s driving this uneven growth?
According to Circana, PC, cloud, and non-console VR content saw a modest 6% rise, but it’s the subscription model that’s stealing the spotlight. Meanwhile, Nintendo Switch 2 emerged as the best-selling hardware system of the year, both in units and dollars, solidifying its place as the fastest-selling console in tracked history. Yet, accessory spending dipped 7% to $625 million, though Nintendo’s Pro Controller still claimed the title of best-selling accessory—despite being outpaced in December by PlayStation Portal’s Midnight Black and original models.
In the games themselves, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 reigned supreme in December, marking the seventh consecutive year a Call of Duty title topped the charts. However, Battlefield 6 took the crown for the year’s best-selling game by dollar sales, dominating Xbox and PC platforms. On PS5, it was narrowly beaten by NBA 2K26. And while Fortnite continued its reign with the most active users across PlayStation and Xbox, Roblox’s rise raises a bold question: is it becoming the new king of engagement?
Here’s a fun fact: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was the only new release to crack December’s Top 20, debuting at number seven. But what’s truly fascinating is the mix of old and new titles in the rankings, from Grand Theft Auto 5 to Kirby Air Raiders. Check out the full Top 20 list below, courtesy of Circana, and notice which titles exclude digital sales—it’s a detail that sparks debate about how we measure success in gaming.
Top 20 Selling Games (December 1, 2025 – January 3, 2026):
1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
2. NBA 2K26
3. Battlefield 6
4. Madden NFL 26
5. EA Sports FC 26
6. Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Digital sales not included)
7. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Digital sales not included)
8. Minecraft (Nintendo digital sales not included)
9. Donkey Kong Bananza (Digital sales not included)
10. Ghost of Yotei
11. EA Sports College Football 26
12. Grand Theft Auto 5
13. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
14. Forza Horizon 5
15. Red Dead Redemption 2
16. Flight Simulator 2024
17. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
18. Kirby Air Raiders (Digital sales not included)
19. Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Digital sales not included)
20. Marvel's Spider-Man 2
So, what do you think? Are subscriptions the future, or is the industry’s growth too reliant on a few big players? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
