July NPD: PS4 leads hardware, Last of Us returns to top software

July 2014 continues the trend of rising hardware sales and declining software sales, according to the NPD, though the software sales charts have seen a shakeup thanks to Sony's Last of Us re-release.

"Hardware sales doubled in July 2014 (vs. July 2013), stemming from growth in eighth generation console sales which offset declines in seventh generation console and portable hardware," states analyst Liam Callahan in the latest NPD report. Callahan adds that combined sales of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 after nine months of availability are now nearly 80 percent higher than prior generation consoles. The PlayStation 4 continues to be the top-selling new-generation console for the seventh month in a row.

1. The Last of Us (PS4, PS3)
2. Minecraft (Xbox 360, PS3)
3. FIFA 14 (Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Vita)
4. Watch Dogs (PS4, Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One, PC)
5. Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)
6. Call of Duty: Ghosts (Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, Wii U, PC)
7. Grand Theft Auto 5 (Xbox 360, PS3)
8. Sniper Elite III (PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3)
9. NBA 2K14 (Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC)
10. Lego Marvel Super Heroes (Xbox 360, PS3, 3DS, DS, PS4, Wii U, Xbox One, Vita, PC)

Year over year game sales have increased by 16 percent over July 2013, though overall sales have been declining. Callahan cites the lack of a new NCAA Football release for this dip. "July is typically a quiet month for software sales, representing about 5 percent of annual sales," Callahan notes. "Typically, NCAA Football launches in July and often ranks as the top game. As that title is no longer being produced, new launch sales declined steeply by close to 70 percent in July 2014."

Instead, gamers appear to be scratching their football itch by stabbing clickers in The Last of Us, building things in Minecraft and kicking a ball around the pitch in FIFA 14.