2024 proved to be a challenging year for gaming console sales across many parts of Europe, with major platforms like the Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 all experiencing declines. Industry analysts attribute this drop to market saturation and a lack of significant new console releases throughout the year. Despite high hopes surrounding the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro—the only new console introduced by a major manufacturer in 2024—the overall market still saw a steep downturn.
According to data reported by Video Games Chronicle, console sales in Europe fell by 21% compared to 2023. Among the big three, Sony’s PlayStation brand held up the best, though it still recorded a 20% decrease from the previous year. The Nintendo Switch, which has been on the market since 2017, experienced a 15% decline in sales, while Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S faced the steepest drop at an impressive 48%. Analysts suggest that the current generation of consoles may have reached peak adoption in the region, leading to fewer new buyers and less demand for upgrades.
Interestingly, the Meta Quest 3S outperformed all other major consoles in sales on Amazon's US site during 2024, hinting at a possible shift in consumer preferences toward hybrid or VR-focused gaming devices. This could signal a broader trend indicating that traditional console growth is plateauing in many regions, including parts of Europe.
Shift in Game Sales: Digital Dominance Continues
While hardware sales struggled, the overall European video game market showed minimal growth, with total PC and console game sales reaching 188.1 million units—just a 1% increase over 2023. However, this modest rise masked a clear transformation in how players are purchasing their games. Digital game sales surged to 131.6 million units sold, representing a 15% increase year-over-year. In contrast, physical game sales declined sharply by 22%, totaling just 56.5 million units sold.
This shift underscores the growing dominance of digital storefronts and cloud-based distribution models, as more gamers opt for instant access and convenience over boxed copies. While publishers may have hoped for stronger overall growth, the transition to digital presents both opportunities and challenges for monetization strategies moving forward.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Despite the slowdown in 2024, the gaming industry remains optimistic about 2025. One of the most anticipated events is the expected release of the Nintendo Switch 2, which is likely to drive a wave of renewed interest and hardware purchases. However, it’s important to note that the current console sales figures do not include key markets such as the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. Including those regions might paint a slightly more positive picture of the 2024 landscape.
As the industry evolves, developers and publishers will need to adapt to shifting player habits, especially with the growing influence of digital platforms and alternative gaming devices. While 2024 was a tough year for console sales in Europe, 2025 offers potential for a rebound—with innovation and fresh releases poised to reinvigorate the market.
