Summary
- Major gaming console sales in Europe declined significantly in 2024, attributed to market saturation and a lack of major new console releases.
- The PlayStation 5 Pro, the only new console from a major manufacturer, was insufficient to offset the overall sales downturn.
- While total European gaming sales saw a modest 1% increase in 2024, this growth was driven by a surge in digital sales, contrasting with a sharp decrease in physical game sales.
2024 proved a challenging year for video game console sales across much of Europe, impacting major players like Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation. The region experienced a notable decline in new console sales, although the overall gaming market wasn't entirely stagnant.
The only new console released in 2024 by a major manufacturer was the PlayStation 5 Pro, an upgraded version of the existing PS5. Despite generating excitement among fans, this release wasn't enough to prevent a substantial drop in overall console sales compared to previous years.
According to a Video Games Chronicle report, sales of the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch all suffered significant declines in Europe. Overall console sales plummeted by 21% year-over-year. While PlayStation, potentially boosted by the PS5 Pro, fared best among the major manufacturers, its sales still decreased by 20%. The Nintendo Switch saw a 15% drop, and the Xbox Series X/S experienced a dramatic 48% decline. This downturn is largely attributed to market saturation, with the original PS5 and Xbox Series consoles having launched in 2020 and the Nintendo Switch in 2017. Further highlighting market stagnation, the Meta Quest 3S outsold all major gaming consoles on Amazon's US site in 2024, suggesting a similar trend in other territories.
Video Game Sales: A Shift in the Market
The overall European gaming market showed only a modest 1% increase in 2024, reaching 188.1 million PC and console game sales. While positive, this growth is likely below industry expectations. The data reveals a significant shift in consumer purchasing habits: digital game sales soared by 15% to 131.6 million units, while physical game sales plummeted by 22%, reaching only 56.5 million units.
Looking ahead, 2025 is anticipated to be a more robust year for the European gaming market. The upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to significantly boost sales. It's important to note, however, that these sales figures exclude several major European markets, including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. Inclusion of these markets might alter the overall 2024 performance picture.
See at Walmart See at Best Buy
Latest Downloads
Downlaod
Top News
