European Console Market Experiences Significant Sales Decline in 2024
The European video game console market experienced a substantial downturn in 2024, primarily attributed to market saturation and a dearth of new major console releases. Despite the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro – the only new console from a major manufacturer – overall sales plummeted.
While the PS5 Pro, a performance-enhanced iteration of the existing PS5, generated excitement among gamers, it proved insufficient to offset the broader market decline. A report from Video Games Chronicle revealed a staggering 21% drop in overall console sales compared to 2023. Individual manufacturer performance reflected this trend: PlayStation sales fell 20%, Nintendo Switch sales decreased by 15%, and Xbox Series X/S sales suffered a dramatic 48% decline. This downturn is largely attributed to the maturity of the current console generation, with the original PS5 and Xbox Series consoles launching in 2020 and the Nintendo Switch in 2017. Further evidence of market stagnation is seen in the US, where the Meta Quest 3S outsold all major gaming consoles in 2024 on Amazon.
Shifting Sales Landscape: Digital Dominance and Physical Decline
The overall European gaming market showed only a modest 1% increase in 2024, reaching 188.1 million units sold across PC and consoles. This minimal growth highlights a significant shift in consumer purchasing habits. Digital game sales surged by 15% to 131.6 million units, while physical sales plummeted by 22%, reaching only 56.5 million units.
Outlook for 2025: Anticipated Resurgence
Expectations for 2025 are more optimistic, with the anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2 poised to revitalize the market and drive significant sales. It is important to note, however, that the reported sales figures exclude several major European markets, including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. The inclusion of these markets might alter the overall picture for 2024.
See at Walmart See at Best Buy
