A survey by American market research and technology company Circana found that most American gamers are still deciding whether to buy games. playstationXbox, Nintendo Switch, or any other console based on exclusive games. Most gamers won't be surprised, as it's been that way for years. But some subtle changes in consumer behavior in 2026 could catch the attention of those especially invested in the long-term console race between PlayStation and Xbox.
One notable change compared to last year's data is an 8% decrease in the number of players choosing a console based on exclusives. That said, there's a bit of a shift towards choosing the best gaming console based on other factors like performance or price. It's difficult to pinpoint what's driving this change, but one likely explanation is that Xbox and PlayStation have loosened their grip on exclusive IP over the past year, with games like these: forza horizon Released on PlayStation 5 Helldiver 2 Released on Xbox Series X/S.
The second reason is the outcome of the console war.
Despite the 8% decline, the Circana Q1 2026 report found that the majority of U.S. consumers (41% of those surveyed) still see big-budget exclusive games as a deciding factor when purchasing a console. The second most common reason can make or break the game for companies like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. 38% of consumers choose a console based on what their friends and family already own. This is likely due to convenience, as it makes it easier to share games on the same platform and, more importantly, avoids concerns about cross-platform support for multiplayer titles.
Xbox Could Lose Ground
Circana's observations suggest that Microsoft's Xbox console may not be in a good position right now. Xbox Series Moreover, according to recent financial reports, Xbox hardware revenue fell 32% in the second quarter, further weakening the brand's position in the current market (via Video Game Chronicle).
Meanwhile, Sony appears to have a stronger lineup of PS5 exclusives, including major titles such as: Marvel's Wolverine, Intergalactic: Heretic Prophetand picint On the horizon. Some believe the Japanese company has already solidified its position in the market, both financially and through critically acclaimed exclusive products, such as: Ghost of Yotei and Marvel's Spider-Man 2.
The Nintendo Switch 2 may not offer as many exclusives as the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5. However, a handful of globally popular IPs continue to attract millions of players, including: mario kart world and donkey kong banana. recent mario kart Installments alone have sold over 14 million copies, demonstrating the impressive success Nintendo has achieved with its exclusives thus far.
A recent report from Circana found that a multi-platform strategy may not be the most effective approach for major companies like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo. It will be interesting to see how each brand will adjust their strategy and rethink their approach to exclusives over the next few years, especially as the next generation of consoles launches.
- brand
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sony
- original release date
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November 12, 2020
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$499, €499, £449, ¥49,980 (standard) // $399, €399, £359, ¥39,980 (digital),
- operating system
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Orbis OS
- processor
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Custom 8-core AMD Zen 2
- solve
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720p – 8K
