Resident Evil Requiem emerged as the runaway best-seller on PlayStation 5 in early 2026, topping U.S. sales charts for February and maintaining strong momentum into March as horror fans flocked to the latest entry in Capcom's acclaimed survival horror franchise.

Logos of Sony's PlayStation 5 are displayed at a consumer electronics store in Tokyo
Logos of Sony's PlayStation 5 are displayed at a consumer electronics store in Tokyo

According to Circana data covering U.S. retail and digital sales through late February, Resident Evil Requiem claimed the No. 1 spot for the year so far and for the month of February, outperforming major annual sports releases with launch-week dollar sales more than 60% higher than those of Resident Evil Village. The game's strong debut propelled it ahead of perennial heavyweights such as NBA 2K26, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Madden NFL 26.

PlayStation Store download charts for February reinforced the trend, with Resident Evil Requiem leading both U.S./Canada and European PS5 charts. Its blend of updated visuals, tense gameplay and fan-favorite protagonist Leon Kennedy resonated widely, driving both physical disc and digital purchases on PS5.

Here is a ranking of the 10 most sold PS5 games based on combined U.S. retail, digital and PlayStation Store performance through February 2026, with March trends showing continued strength for new releases and evergreen titles:

1. Resident Evil Requiem (Capcom, February 2026) The newest chapter in the long-running series dominated February sales, topping both Circana's overall U.S. charts and PlayStation Store downloads in major regions. Its launch success highlighted sustained demand for high-quality single-player horror experiences on PS5, with strong word-of-mouth boosting post-launch sales into March.

2. NBA 2K26 (2K Sports) The annual basketball simulator held the No. 2 position in 2026 year-to-date U.S. sales. Regular content updates, MyCareer mode improvements and competitive online play kept engagement high among sports fans, ensuring steady sales across the early months of the year.

3. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (Activision) The latest Black Ops entry remained a top performer despite not launching in early 2026. Its robust multiplayer modes, seasonal events and Warzone integration continued to drive downloads and physical sales, a familiar pattern for the long-running franchise that consistently ranks among the year's biggest sellers.

4. Madden NFL 26 (EA Sports) Football fans kept the Madden series in the top five of 2026 U.S. sales. Enhanced gameplay features, updated rosters and Ultimate Team content helped sustain interest, particularly during the NFL offseason when players experiment with new modes.

5. Minecraft (Mojang Studios) The evergreen block-building phenomenon continued its remarkable longevity, ranking in the top five year-to-date. Cross-platform play, regular updates and appeal to all age groups ensured Minecraft remained a consistent seller on PS5 well into 2026.

6. EA Sports FC 26 (EA Sports) The soccer simulation title, rebranded from FIFA, posted strong numbers in both U.S. and European markets. Its deep career modes, Ultimate Team ecosystem and licensed leagues attracted dedicated fans, contributing significantly to PS5 software sales.

7. Grand Theft Auto V (Rockstar Games) Even more than a decade after its original release, GTA V — enhanced for PS5 — continued to sell briskly. Ongoing online updates for GTA Online and its status as a gateway title for new players kept it relevant in monthly download charts.

8. Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead Game Studios) The cooperative shooter maintained popularity well into 2026, benefiting from community events and balance patches. Its accessible yet challenging gameplay made it a frequent presence in PlayStation Store top downloads.

9. Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games / Xbox Game Studios) Though primarily associated with Xbox, the open-world racer's PS5 availability through multiplatform releases or cloud options contributed to its visibility. Strong visual fidelity on PS5 hardware helped it appear in broader sales conversations.

10. Battlefield 6 (EA) The latest Battlefield entry rounded out the top 10 with its large-scale multiplayer battles and seasonal content. While not matching Call of Duty's dominance, it retained a loyal audience drawn to its destruction mechanics and team-based gameplay.

March 2026 sales data had not been fully released by late in the month, but analysts expected new March titles such as Crimson Desert (March 19) and other announced releases to influence rankings as the month progressed. PlayStation Store trends from February suggested horror and sports titles would likely continue performing well, while catalog games like Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Gran Turismo 7 and Hogwarts Legacy remained popular downloads.

The broader PS5 software market in early 2026 showed resilience despite a maturing console lifecycle. PlayStation 5 continued leading U.S. hardware sales in both units and dollars for January and February, even as overall console spending faced year-over-year pressure in some segments. Strong subscription services, including PlayStation Plus, helped offset softer hardware declines by driving digital game consumption.

Industry observers noted several factors behind the strong performance of top titles. Annual sports releases benefit from predictable release cycles and dedicated fanbases, while Resident Evil Requiem tapped into renewed interest in narrative-driven horror. Evergreen games like GTA V and Minecraft demonstrate the value of long-term support and accessibility.

Digital sales continued to outpace physical in many categories, reflecting broader industry shifts toward convenience and instant access. PS5's fast SSD and DualSense features enhanced experiences across top sellers, particularly in immersive titles like Resident Evil Requiem.

Global trends mirrored U.S. patterns, with European PlayStation Store charts showing EA Sports FC 26 and sports titles performing especially well alongside horror releases. Wikipedia's best-selling PS5 games list highlighted cumulative lifetime sales leaders such as Marvel's Spider-Man 2 (over 17 million units) and Gran Turismo 7, underscoring the platform's strength in both new and catalog titles.

Challenges for the industry included competition from Nintendo Switch 2, which showed robust hardware performance in early 2026, and growing interest in PC gaming. Nonetheless, PS5 maintained its position as a premium platform for high-fidelity experiences.

Looking ahead, anticipation builds for major 2026 releases including potential GTA 6 updates, Marvel's Wolverine and other unannounced titles that could reshape sales charts later in the year. For March specifically, any late-month surges from new releases or seasonal promotions could shift the rankings before April data emerges.

Analysts project continued growth in digital revenue streams, with PS5's installed base now well over 90 million units worldwide providing a large addressable market for both blockbuster and niche titles.

For consumers, the strong sales of diverse genres — from horror to sports to open-world adventures — illustrate the PS5's broad appeal more than five years into its lifecycle. Whether chasing the latest Resident Evil thrills, building empires in Minecraft or competing online in Call of Duty, players have ample high-quality options driving the platform's success.

As March concludes, the full impact of any new releases will become clearer in upcoming Circana and PlayStation Blog reports. For now, Resident Evil Requiem stands as the breakout star of early 2026, proving that compelling single-player experiences can still top charts in an era dominated by live-service and annual releases.

The PS5 software ecosystem remains vibrant, with a mix of new launches, steady catalog performers and seasonal sports titles ensuring consistent sales activity month after month.

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