Best-selling video games in the UK in May 2023

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom dominated the charts in May, claiming the top spot as the best-selling game (according to GSD data). The launch of Tears of the Kingdom marked the biggest release for a Zelda game in UK history, and its lifetime sales have already surpassed most previous installments in the series.

The success of Zelda had a significant impact on the software market, with game sales soaring nearly 30% compared to the same period last year, resulting in over 2.17 million titles sold. It’s worth noting that there were no major game releases in May 2022.

Another noteworthy release in May was Hogwarts Legacy, which became available on older generation platforms following its highly successful launch on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S and X in February. During May, 53% of Hogwarts Legacy sales were on PS4, with 24% on Xbox One, while the remainder came from the current generation machines. LEGO 2K Drive, a new release, made its debut on the charts at #19.

The impact of The Legend of Zelda extended to the console hardware space as well. According to GfK panel data, approximately 96,000 consoles were sold last month, representing a 10% decline compared to May of the previous year and a 14% drop from April. Nintendo Switch reclaimed the top spot as the UK’s #1 console, ending PS5’s four-month reign, despite experiencing a 5% dip in sales month-on-month. However, Switch sales saw a substantial 28% increase compared to May of the previous year.

PS5 sales experienced a 23% decline month-on-month, marking the first time this year that sales were lower compared to the same period in 2022. Xbox Series S and X sales also fell by 10% in May compared to April, and similarly declined compared to the same period in 2022.

In terms of accessories and peripherals, 441,268 add-on products were sold in the UK in May. This represents a 9% decrease compared to April and a 5% decline compared to May of the previous year. The PS5 DualSense controller continues to hold the top spot as the best-selling accessory, but the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller has climbed to #2, boosted by the launch of the latest Zelda game.

The Zelda edition of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller made a notable entry into the charts, reaching #20. Additionally, the Zelda-themed Switch Carry Case made its appearance on the charts at #32.