PS5 Sales Jump Ahead of GTA 6
The latter part of 2026 has been packed with excellent games, all leading up to GTA 6 on November 19, so it's not surprising that PS5 sales have jumped over last month.
PlayStation 5 sales have jumped by 22%, according to a report from Bloomberg, with data from Circana. And, while it's likely that the buildup to GTA 6 has contributed to those sales, it looks like it was September's all-star lineup of games, and particularly Marvel's Wolverine, that were primarily behind the PS5's recent success.
Hardware Impact of Marvel's Wolverine
Circana data indicates that despite its middling reception, Wolverine drove quite a bit of hardware sales. PS5's hardware boost was primarily driven by Marvel's Wolverine, alongside NBA 2K27 and Grand Theft Auto VI. However, the Xbox Series did not experience a similar sales boost during the month.
Upon release, reviews noted that while Marvel's Wolverine featured slick and satisfying combat, certain pacing issues kept it from reaching higher critical acclaim.
In the weeks following the game's release, the community provided mixed feedback, leading Insomniac to release updates addressing specific traversal mechanics, such as adding a toggle for the objective scent trail.
Commercial Success and Sales Performance
More than a month after release, Wolverine emerged as the month's best-seller and ranked 11th year-to-date. Its limited-edition hardware bundle and the Marvel's Wolverine DualSense accessory also performed exceptionally well in the market.
The custom hardware bundle and matching controller proved highly popular among fans, driving strong interest and contributing significantly to the month's console sales figures.
Looking Ahead to GTA 6 and Next-Gen Pricing
As anticipation builds for GTA 6, high demand has also affected PS5 Pro availability, with resale models commanding elevated prices across major retail platforms.
With high hardware demand continuing, industry watchers are monitoring how future pricing trends and upcoming next-generation console rumors will shape consumer purchasing decisions.
