PlayStation 5 sales surged after the holiday season, with 3.42 million units sold in December 2024, bringing total sales to approximately 71.03 million. Despite this, overall console sales declined, with notable drops for the PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S. Anticipation builds for the Nintendo Switch 2, promising significant upgrades and new exclusive titles. Meanwhile, Sony faces scrutiny for limiting access to Horizon Forbidden West on Steam, and potential collaborations between Nintendo and Microsoft could reshape the gaming landscape.
PlayStation 5 Sales Soar Post-Holiday Season
As the holiday season wraps up, we’ve got the latest sales data for gaming consoles from December 2024. This festive period often highlights which consoles are currently leading the market, and it appears that the PlayStation 5 has firmly established itself as the reigning console champion. With major game releases and the introduction of the PS5 Pro and PS Portal, Sony’s console continues to shine.
Remarkable Milestones for PS5 and Other Consoles
According to figures reported by VGChartz, the PlayStation 5 has had an exceptional end to the year, reaching a significant sales milestone. In December 2024 alone, the PS5 sold an impressive 3.42 million units, contributing to a staggering total of approximately 71.03 million units sold globally. In comparison, the Nintendo Switch moved around 2.69 million units, bringing its cumulative sales to 148.79 million. The Xbox Series X|S lagged behind with 0.97 million units sold, resulting in a total of 32.17 million units.
Despite the PS5’s dominance, it’s important to note that overall console sales have declined compared to the previous year. The PlayStation 5 saw a drop of 306,486 units (-8.2%) compared to the same month last year, while the Xbox Series X|S experienced a significant decrease of 881,070 units (-47.6%). The Nintendo Switch also faced a decline, selling 813,519 fewer units (-23.2%). For the entire year of 2024, the PlayStation 5 sold around 18.65 million units, the Nintendo Switch 12.05 million, and the Xbox Series X|S 4.97 million.
The Anticipation of Nintendo Switch 2
While the PS5 enjoys its moment in the spotlight, it’s impossible to overlook the Nintendo Switch, which has been a powerhouse of the last generation. With nearly 150 million units sold, the Switch is on the verge of surpassing the legendary PlayStation 2’s record of 160 million. However, the gaming landscape is evolving, and the Nintendo Switch is beginning to show its age. Recently, the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 has ignited excitement among fans. This new console promises a larger screen, advanced features, and top-notch hardware capable of handling AAA titles seamlessly.
Although it’s uncertain if the Switch 2 will exceed the original Switch’s sales figures, it represents a crucial upgrade that fans have been eagerly awaiting. The upcoming generation is anticipated to stir up the market with a slate of new Nintendo exclusives, including the almost-confirmed Mario Kart 9, discussions around Mario Odyssey 2, a new installment of The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid Prime 4. As we await more details, Nintendo has scheduled a dedicated Nintendo Direct conference for April 2, where the release date—likely in July—is expected to be revealed.
Additionally, while the excitement for the Nintendo Switch 2 builds, Sony has taken a controversial step by restricting access to Horizon Forbidden West on Steam in over 150 countries. Although Guerrilla’s open-world game does not require linking to a PSN account, this restriction has raised questions and uncertainties among gamers.
In the backdrop of these developments, a potential collaboration between Nintendo and Microsoft could reshape the future of gaming. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, recently shared promising insights concerning this partnership, leaving fans eager to see what’s next.