Summary
- Major European gaming console sales slumped in 2024, attributed to market saturation and a dearth of new releases.
- The PlayStation 5 Pro, the only significant new console launch from major manufacturers, failed to stem the overall sales decline.
- While total 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 across significant parts of Europe, impacting major players like Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation. The region experienced a downturn in new console sales, although the overall gaming market wasn't entirely bleak.
The only new console released in 2024 by a major manufacturer was the PlayStation 5 Pro, an enhanced version of the existing PS5. Despite generating excitement among Sony fans, its impact wasn't sufficient to offset the broader decline in European console sales.
A Video Games Chronicle report revealed a significant 21% drop in overall European console sales compared to 2023, affecting PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. PlayStation, despite its PS5 Pro launch, still saw a 20% sales decrease. The Nintendo Switch experienced a 15% decline, while Xbox Series X/S sales plummeted by a staggering 48%. This downturn is largely attributed to market stagnation, with the original PS5 and Xbox Series consoles launched in 2020, and the Nintendo Switch in 2017. Further highlighting the stagnant console market, Amazon US data shows the Meta Quest 3S outsold all major game consoles in 2024, suggesting a broader trend.
Video Game Sales Shift and Growth Stagnates
Overall European gaming sales in 2024 reached 188.1 million units (PC and console), representing a meager 1% increase compared to 2023. While positive, this growth likely fell short of industry expectations. The data reveals a significant shift in consumer purchasing habits, with digital game sales surging 15% to 131.6 million units, while physical game sales plummeted 22% to 56.5 million units.
While 2025 is anticipated to be a stronger year for the European gaming market, boosted by the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 release, it's crucial to note that the reported console 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.
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