PS5 Leads European Console Sales in Late 2025, But Market Faces Slowdown

PS5 sold over 31.7 million units in Europe by December 2025, leading the market. This is higher than the Switch 2's 3.37 million units sold by the same time.
By Newsroom | Gaming, Europe |

The European video game console market in late 2025 and early 2026 shows the PlayStation 5 (PS5) as the leading seller. However, this picture is complex, with varied sales performance across different months and console generations. The data suggests a dynamic landscape where market saturation and the introduction of new hardware might influence future sales.

  • The PlayStation 5 has consistently been reported as the best-selling console in Europe across several months, including November 2025, December 2025, and as projected for January 2026.

  • Sales figures show significant unit numbers, with the PS5 reaching over 30 million lifetime units sold in Europe by December 2025.

  • Despite the PS5's lead, the overall European console market faces challenges, with some reports indicating a slowdown and sales drops in certain periods, like April 2025.

Shifting Console Landscape in Europe

The European hardware market in the latter half of 2025 and the beginning of 2026 indicates a PS5 dominance in unit sales, yet underlying trends reveal a nuanced market. While the PS5 leads, its sales figures are measured against the backdrop of potentially stagnant or declining sales for other consoles, including Nintendo's offerings and the Xbox.

PS5 Remains Best-Seller - Europe Hardware Estimates for January 2026 - 1

  • November 2025: The PS5 was the top-selling console, with approximately 2,069,458 units sold. Its lifetime European sales reached 30.58 million units.

  • December 2025: PS5 sales continued, reaching an estimated 1,380,805 units for the month, bringing its total lifetime sales in Europe to 31.71 million units.

  • April 2025: A different report highlighted a market-wide slowdown, with PS5 sales dropping by 94,000 units month-over-month. This report also noted that PS5's lifetime European sales (25.86 million) were behind the Nintendo Switch's (38.76 million).

  • August 2025: Data indicated the PS5 was outselling the Switch 2, suggesting continued strong performance for Sony's console.

  • January 2026: Preliminary reports indicated the PS5 was expected to remain the best-selling console.

Nintendo's Evolving Position

Nintendo's console performance in Europe appears to be in a transitional phase. While the original Nintendo Switch holds a strong position in lifetime sales, the newer Switch 2 is emerging as a competitor, though not yet surpassing the PS5 in monthly sales.

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  • December 2025: The Switch 2 was the second best-selling console, with an estimated 807,570 units sold, bringing its lifetime total to 3.37 million units.

  • The original Nintendo Switch was the third best-selling console in December 2025, with approximately 215,177 units sold, contributing to a lifetime total of 39.61 million units.

  • An earlier report from August 2025 suggested the PS5 was outselling the Switch 2, implying the new Nintendo hardware was still gaining traction.

  • April 2025: Reports indicated that Nintendo Switch sales had been halved, signaling a potential slowdown for the older model.

Market Challenges and Future Outlook

The European console market appears to be navigating challenges such as market saturation and potentially waning demand for older hardware. While the PS5 is currently the market leader, its sustained success will likely depend on various factors, including new game releases and potential competition.

PS5 Remains Best-Seller - Europe Hardware Estimates for January 2026 - 2

  • Market Saturation: By April 2025, over 25 million PS5s had already been sold in Europe. This level of adoption raises questions about the availability of new customers for upgrades.

  • Year-over-Year Comparisons: One report from September 2023 noted a nearly 200% increase in PS5 sales in Europe compared to the previous year, indicating periods of significant sales growth. However, later reports from April 2025 described a market slowdown.

  • Software Revenue: While hardware sales present a mixed picture, subscription and digital services are noted as strengthening software revenue.

  • Mobile Dominance: It's important to note that consoles, despite their performance, outpaced retail revenue growth in a market where mobile gaming dominates total revenue.

Expert Insights and Observations

Industry analysts highlight multiple dynamics at play within the European console market. The PS5's current lead is acknowledged, but concerns about overall market health and the long-term appeal of existing hardware are also present.

"Consoles outpaced retail revenue growth despite mobile dominating total revenue." - Article 1

This observation suggests that while the console segment might be showing positive year-on-year trends or monthly gains, its overall contribution to the broader gaming market is overshadowed by the mobile sector.

PS5 Remains Best-Seller - Europe Hardware Estimates for January 2026 - 3

"Is Europe’s Console Market Slowing Down? Market-wide slowdown: PS5 sales dropped 94K month-over-month; Xbox fell 15K." - Article 3

This quote from an April 2025 report indicates specific periods of contraction for major console players, raising questions about the sustainability of hardware sales without significant new catalysts.

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"Switch lineage remains the top-selling hybrid model globally. Consoles outpaced retail revenue growth despite mobile dominating total revenue." - Article 1

This points to the enduring appeal of Nintendo's hybrid design, even as the PS5 leads in overall monthly unit sales in Europe. The comparison between console hardware sales and overall gaming revenue underscores the differing growth trajectories within the industry.

PS5 Remains Best-Seller - Europe Hardware Estimates for January 2026 - 4

Conclusion

The European console market, as observed through late 2025 and early 2026 data, features the PlayStation 5 as the current best-selling hardware. This lead is evidenced by substantial monthly sales figures and a cumulative lifetime sales exceeding 30 million units in Europe by the end of 2025. However, this leadership occurs within a market that has also experienced periods of slowdown, as noted in reports from April 2025, which indicated month-over-month declines for the PS5 and Xbox, and a halving of Nintendo Switch sales.

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Nintendo's Switch 2 is establishing itself as the second-highest seller, indicating growing consumer interest, yet it has not surpassed the PS5's monthly performance. The original Nintendo Switch, while having a significant lifetime sales advantage over the PS5 in Europe by April 2025 (38.76 million vs. 25.86 million), appears to be declining in monthly sales.

The market faces inherent challenges, including potential saturation, particularly for the PS5, which had already sold over 25 million units by April 2025. Despite these complexities, hardware sales in the console segment are noted to have outpaced overall retail revenue growth, although mobile gaming remains the dominant force in total gaming revenue. Future console sales will likely be influenced by the release of new titles, potential hardware revisions, and the overall economic climate affecting consumer spending on electronics.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which console sold the most in Europe in December 2025?
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) was the best-selling console in Europe in December 2025, selling about 1,380,805 units. This brought its total sales in Europe to over 31.7 million units.
Q: How did the Nintendo Switch 2 perform in Europe in December 2025?
The Nintendo Switch 2 was the second best-selling console in Europe in December 2025, selling around 807,570 units. Its total sales reached 3.37 million units.
Q: Did console sales in Europe slow down in early 2025?
Yes, reports from April 2025 showed a market-wide slowdown. PS5 sales dropped by 94,000 units that month, and Xbox sales fell by 15,000 units.
Q: What was the total number of PS5 consoles sold in Europe by December 2025?
By the end of December 2025, the PlayStation 5 had sold over 31.7 million units in Europe.
Q: How does the PS5's sales compare to the original Nintendo Switch in Europe?
By April 2025, the original Nintendo Switch had sold 38.76 million units in Europe, which was more than the PS5's 25.86 million units at that time, though PS5 sales have since grown significantly.
Q: What are the challenges facing the European console market?
The market faces challenges like saturation, especially for consoles like the PS5 which had sold over 25 million units by April 2025. There are also concerns about waning demand for older hardware and the overall market growth compared to mobile gaming.