Video Game Console Hardware Sales Are Way Down in One Region

European Console Market Experiences Sales Dip in 2024

The European video game console market experienced a significant downturn in 2024, primarily attributed to market saturation and a shortage of new releases from major players. Despite the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro – a refreshed version of the existing PS5 – overall console sales plummeted by 21% compared to 2023.

Individual console performance reflected this trend. While the PlayStation 5, bolstered by the PS5 Pro's release, fared relatively better with a 20% sales decrease, the Nintendo Switch saw a 15% decline, and the Xbox Series X/S suffered a dramatic 48% drop. This downturn is largely attributed to the age of current-generation consoles, with the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles launching in 2020 and the Nintendo Switch in 2017. The market appears to have reached a plateau, a sentiment echoed by the Meta Quest 3S outselling all major consoles in the US market during 2024.

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Digital Sales Surge, Physical Copies Decline

The overall European gaming market showed only a modest 1% growth in 2024, reaching 188.1 million units sold (PC and console combined). This slight increase masks a significant shift in purchasing habits. Digital game sales soared by 15%, reaching 131.6 million units, while physical game sales plummeted by 22%, totaling 56.5 million units.

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Outlook for 2025

The year 2025 is anticipated to revitalize the European gaming market. The upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to significantly boost console sales. However, it's crucial to note that the reported sales figures exclude several major European markets, including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. Inclusion of these markets could potentially alter the overall picture for 2024's performance.

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