The PS5 has sold over 10 million units as of July 18, 2021, while the Xbox Series X/S has sold around 6 million units. The Nintendo Switch has sold over 84 million units as of March 31, 2021, making it the third-best-selling console of all time. One trend in next-gen console sales is the increased demand for digital games, while another is the importance of backwards compatibility. However, supply chain issues have made it difficult for consumers to purchase the new consoles.
Next-Gen Consoles Sales Figures and Trends
Introduction
The next generation of gaming consoles has been released for a few months now and the sales figures are starting to roll in. As with every new console release, there is a lot of anticipation and excitement surrounding the launch. In this article, we will take a look at the sales figures and trends of the latest gaming consoles.
PlayStation 5 Sales Figures
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) was released on November 12, 2020, and it has been a massive success for Sony. According to Sony, they have sold over 10 million units of the PS5 as of July 18, 2021.
The PS5 has been in high demand since its launch and has been hard to come by due to the shortage of semiconductor chips. However, Sony has stated that they are working hard to meet the demand for the PS5 and production should ramp up in the coming months.
Xbox Series X/S Sales Figures
The Xbox Series X/S was released on November 10, 2020, and it has been a success for Microsoft. While Microsoft has been tight-lipped about the sales figures, it is estimated that they have sold around 6 million units as of July 18, 2021.
The Xbox Series X/S has faced similar supply chain issues as the PS5, which has made it difficult for consumers to purchase the console. Microsoft has also stated that they are working to increase production to meet the high demand for the console.
Nintendo Switch Sales Figures
The Nintendo Switch was released in March 2017 and has been a massive success for Nintendo. As of March 31, 2021, Nintendo has sold over 84 million units of the Nintendo Switch, which makes it the third-best-selling console of all time.
The Nintendo Switch has seen a surge in sales during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the increase in demand for gaming consoles. It has also been helped by the release of games such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Trends in Next-Gen Console Sales
One trend that we have seen in the sales of the next-gen consoles is the increased demand for digital games. With the rise of digital distribution, more and more gamers are opting for digital copies of games rather than physical copies. This has led to an increase in revenue for game developers and publishers.
Another trend is the importance of backwards compatibility. Both Sony and Microsoft have made it a priority to ensure that their new consoles are backwards compatible with previous-generation games. This has been a major selling point for many gamers who want to revisit their old favorites on the new consoles.