Although hectic, the gaming industry has come out of 2020 with great success. The NPD group has released its charts displaying the best-selling games and consoles of last December, and of the entire year, for the United States, and it only confirms what most presumed.

With restrictions keeping many in the US indoors, 2020 saw a 27% increase in all gaming sales, compared to 2019, with over $58.9 billion being spent. Much of the credit goes to the Nintendo Switch, as it was the top-selling console last December and for all of 2020. The PlayStation 5 comes in second on the year, with it also being Sony’s top-selling platform ever for December. In total, 2020 saw over $5.3 billion in consoles sales, up 35% from 2019.

When it comes to games, the Call of Duty franchise yet again tops the charts. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War has become the best-selling game of 2020, with 2019’s Modern Warfare managing to pull away with the number two spot. As for Nintendo software, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the third best-selling game of 2020, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Mario 3D All-Stars in the eight and nine spot, respectively.

CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 walked away from 2020 almost unscathed from its messy release – in terms of sales, of course. The controversial title was the second best-selling game of December 2020 and 19th for the entire year, with its digital sales not being accounted for.

Best selling games of December 2020

  • Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Cyberpunk 2077Assassin’s Creed ValhallaSpider-Man: Miles MoralesMadden NFL 21Animal Crossing: New HorizonsMario Kart 8 DeluxeNBA 2K21Immortals: Fenyx RisingSuper Mario 3D All-StarsSuper Smash Bros. UltimateJust Dance 2021Hyrule Warriors: Age of CalamityFIFA 21New Super Mario Bros. U DeluxeSuper Mario OdysseyThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildSuper Mario Party*Ring Fit AdventureMortal Kombat 11

Best-selling games of 2020

  • Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold WarCall of Duty: Modern WarfareAnimal Crossing: New HorizonsMadden NFL 21Assassin’s Creed: ValhallaThe Last of Us: Part IIGhost of TsushimaMario Kart 8: DeluxeSuper Mario 3D All-StarsFinal Fantasy VII: RemakeMarvel’s AvengersSpider-Man: Miles MoralesNBA 2K21Super Smash Bros. UltimateFIFA 21Mortal Kombat 11Dragon Ball Z: KakarotMLB The Show 20Cyberpunk 2077Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2

*Digital Sales not included