Summary

• Major gaming console sales in Europe dropped 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 only saw a 1% increase in 2024, with digital sales rising and physical copies falling.

2024 was a challenging year for video game consoles in various parts of Europe, affecting all major players like the Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation. The year marked a noticeable decline in new console sales across the region, yet it wasn't entirely negative for the gaming industry.

The only new console released by the big three gaming companies in 2024 was the PlayStation 5 Pro, an enhanced version of an existing console. Although many fans were excited about Sony's more powerful offering, it wasn't sufficient to maintain sales figures in Europe compared to previous years.

According to a report from Video Games Chronicle, data shows that sales of the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch significantly declined in Europe. Overall, console sales dropped by 21% compared to the previous year. PlayStation, buoyed by the PS5 Pro's launch, fared the best but still saw a 20% decrease in sales compared to 2023. The Nintendo Switch saw a 15% drop, while the Xbox Series X/S experienced a sharp 48% decline. Analysts attribute this trend to a stagnant console market, with the original PS5 and Xbox Series consoles having been launched in 2020, and the Nintendo Switch dating back to 2017. On Amazon's US-based site, the Meta Quest 3S outsold all major game consoles in 2024, signaling potential stagnation in traditional console sales across multiple regions.

Video Game Sales Shift and Growth Stagnates

Overall, gaming in Europe saw only a marginal increase in 2024, with 188.1 million PC and console games sold, marking a mere 1% rise from the previous year. This modest growth likely fell short of many game publishers' expectations. The data also highlights a significant shift in purchasing trends, with digital game sales increasing to 131.6 million, a 15% rise over 2023, while physical game sales plummeted to 56.5 million, down 22% from the previous year.

Looking ahead, 2025 is anticipated to be a more robust 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 current console sales figures exclude key markets like the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. Including these regions might alter the perception of 2024's performance.