The former NPD Group (now named “Circana”) has released its full North American sales data for November, typically the biggest gaming month of the year, and surprisingly, the results weren’t that great. Players spent $5.9 billion on games, additional content, and hardware in November, a 9 percent year-on-year decrease. This was largely driven by a 24 percent drop in hardware spending, with all consoles being down double digits year-on-year. The PlayStation 5 was the #1 console, followed by the Xbox Series X/S, with the Switch really dropping off this season. It seems like inflation, and rumors that a new Switch is right around the corner, likely impacted hardware sales this year.

　　On the software front, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III was, unsurprisingly, the #1 game for November, although unlike past years, it didn’t immediately leap to the top of the full-year 2023 charts. As of now, Hogwarts Legacy is still the #1 game of 2023, and it may stay there as it received a nice boost to #3 on the charts in November. Other new additions to the chart include Super Mario RPG at #7, Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections at #12 and Star Ocean: The Second Story R at #17.

　　Here are November’s top 20 games according to Circana:

　　1 - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

　　2 - Spider-Man 2

　　3 - Hogwarts Legacy

　　4 - Madden NFL 24

　　5 - Super Mario Bros. Wonder

　　6 - EA Sports FC 24

　　7 - Super Mario RPG

　　8 - Mortal Kombat 1

　　9 - NBA 2K24

　　10 - EA Sports UFC 5

　　11 - Assassin's Creed Mirage

　　12 - Naruto x Boruto Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections

　　13 - Sonic Superstars

　　14 - Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

　　15 - God of War Ragnarok

　　16 - NHL 24

　　17 - Star Ocean: The Second Story R

　　18 - Spider-Man: Miles Morales

　　19 - Minecraft

　　20 - Just Dance 2024

　　And here are the top games of 2023 to date:

　　1 - Hogwarts Legacy

　　2 - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

　　3 - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

　　4 - Spider-Man 2

　　5 - Madden NFL 24

　　6 - Diablo IV

　　7 - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

　　8 - Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

　　9 - Mortal Kombat 1

　　10 – Starfield

　　What are your thoughts on the November NPD/Circana charts? Any big surprises or things you’re happy to see?