Summary
- Major gaming console sales in Europe declined significantly in 2024, attributed to market saturation and a shortage of new releases.
- The PlayStation 5 Pro, the only major new console release from established manufacturers, failed to reverse the overall sales downturn.
- While overall European gaming sales saw a modest 1% increase in 2024, this growth was driven by a surge in digital sales, offsetting a sharp drop in physical game sales.
2024 proved a challenging year for video game console sales in many parts of Europe, impacting major players like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. The region experienced a noticeable decline in new console sales, although the overall gaming market wasn't entirely stagnant.
The only significant new console release from major manufacturers in 2024 was the PlayStation 5 Pro, an upgraded version of the existing PS5. Despite generating anticipation among Sony fans, its launch couldn't prevent a general decline in console sales across Europe.
A Video Games Chronicle report revealed a substantial 21% drop in overall console sales compared to 2023. 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% decline, and the Xbox Series X/S experienced a dramatic 48% drop. 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 this trend, the Meta Quest 3S outsold all major gaming consoles on Amazon's US site in 2024, suggesting a potential global stagnation in traditional console sales.
Video Game Sales Shift and Growth Slowdown
Overall European gaming sales in 2024 reached 188.1 million units (PC and console combined), representing a minimal 1% increase compared to the previous year. While positive, this growth is likely below industry expectations. The data also reveals a significant shift in consumer purchasing habits: digital game sales surged by 15% to 131.6 million units, while physical sales plummeted by 22% to 56.5 million units.
Expectations for 2025 are more optimistic, particularly with the anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2. This new console is expected to significantly boost sales. It's important to note that the reported console sales figures exclude several major European markets, including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. Including these markets could potentially alter the overall picture for 2024.
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