Console Sales Plummet in Key Market

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 console releases. Despite the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro – the only new major console release from a leading manufacturer – 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 and Xbox Series X/S suffered more substantial declines of 15% and 48%, respectively. This downturn is largely attributed to the age of current-generation consoles, with the original 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 strong sales of the Meta Quest 3S in the US, which outsold all major gaming consoles in 2024.

Shifting Sales Trends: Digital Dominates

While console sales faltered, the overall European gaming market showed a modest 1% growth in 2024, reaching 188.1 million units sold (PC and console combined). This growth, however, is heavily skewed towards digital sales, which surged by 15% to 131.6 million units. Conversely, physical game sales experienced a sharp 22% decline, totaling 56.5 million units. This clearly indicates a significant shift in consumer preferences towards digital game distribution.

Outlook for 2025: Anticipation for New Releases

The year 2025 holds promise for a resurgence in the European gaming market. The anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to significantly boost console sales. It's important to note that the reported sales figures exclude several key European markets, including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. Inclusion of these markets could potentially alter the overall sales picture for 2024.

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