Summary

• Major gaming console sales in Europe declined in 2024 due to market saturation and a lack of new releases.
• The PlayStation 5 Pro was the only new console from major companies, but it couldn't prevent the overall sales decline.
• Overall gaming sales in Europe saw only a 1% increase in 2024, with digital sales rising and physical copies falling.

2024 was a challenging year for video game consoles in parts of Europe, affecting all major platforms such as the Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation. The year marked a downward trend in new console sales across the region, though it wasn't entirely negative for the gaming industry.

In 2024, the only new console released by the major gaming companies was the PlayStation 5 Pro, an enhanced version of the existing model. While many fans were excited about a more powerful Sony console, its launch did not suffice to maintain sales figures in Europe when compared to previous years.

According to a report by Video Games Chronicle, data shows that the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch faced a tough year in Europe, with overall console sales dropping by a significant 21% compared to the previous year. PlayStation, buoyed somewhat by the PS5 Pro, had the best performance among the three but still saw a 20% decline in sales from 2023. The Nintendo Switch saw a 15% decrease, while the Xbox Series X/S experienced a dramatic 48% drop. The market's stagnation, with the original PS5 and Xbox Series consoles launched in 2020 and the Nintendo Switch in 2017, is believed to be a major factor. On Amazon's US site, the Meta Quest 3S outsold all major gaming consoles in 2024, suggesting that console sales may be stagnating in many regions.

Video Game Sales Shift and Growth Stagnates

Overall, gaming sales in Europe only increased by 1% in 2024, with 188.1 million PC and console games sold. This modest rise is likely less than what most game publishers hoped for. The data also highlights a shift in purchasing behavior, with digital game sales rising to 131.6 million, a 15% increase from 2023, while physical game sales fell to 56.5 million, down 22% from the previous year.

Looking ahead, 2025 is anticipated to be a stronger year for gaming in Europe and globally. The upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to boost sales significantly. However, it's important to note that the 2024 console sales figures do not include data from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, or Austria, among other countries. Including these markets might alter the perception of 2024's performance.

[ttpp]