Gaming has always been a competitive landscape, but nowhere is this more evident than in the “console wars.” These epic battles between rival gaming platforms have been raging for decades, driving innovation in the industry. Console wars have shaped the gaming landscape as we know it, and as per the recent estimates, we have a clear winner.
According to VGChartz, an estimated 767,118 Xbox Series X/S consoles were sold in November 2024. This number is significantly lower than the estimated 4.1 million PS5 consoles sold during the same month. Nintendo Switch came in second with around 1.7 million consoles sold.
PlayStation 5 reigns supreme with a massive number and it’s a huge credit to the recent launch of the PS5 Pro.
The PS5 Pro, with its enhanced power and stunning 4K/120fps capabilities, seems to have really captivated gamers. This surge in sales puts the PS5 well ahead of its rivals.
Let’s break down the competition. In terms of lifetime sales, the PlayStation 5 has sold an estimated 67.70 million units. The Nintendo Switch lifetime sales come to a whopping 146.04 million units whereas Xbox Series X|S is at 31.21 million units. The PS4 is still getting sales bringing its lifetime number to 117.19 million units.
This isn’t surprising, because Microsoft has previously admitted to losing the console wars. In court filings related to their attempted acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft admitted that Xbox has consistently ranked third in console sales behind PlayStation and Nintendo.
This admission was made to support their argument that acquiring Activision Blizzard wouldn’t give them an unfair advantage in the gaming market. They emphasized their position as a smaller player in the console market.
What does this mean for Xbox’s future?
Despite setbacks, the future of Xbox looks promising, with Microsoft working on a new generation of Xbox hardware and other devices. There are rumors that Microsoft is planning to release a new Xbox console, codenamed Xbox Prime, which could arrive in 2026 or 2027. Microsoft CEO Phil Spencer has hinted at an Xbox handheld, and some say this could be part of the “other devices” he’s mentioned.
Microsoft has also brought some Xbox-exclusive games to the PS5 and Nintendo Switch, which is part of the pivot and strategy shift within their gaming division. They will continue to do so with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle coming to the PS5 in Spring 2025.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer mentioned that there is no “red line” when it comes to games that could be brought to PlayStation. Popular games like Pentiment, Sea of Thieves, Grounded, and Hi-Fi Rush have already been released on PlayStation 5, garnering a new set of audience and fans.
Will the PS5 continue its dominance and how will Xbox and Nintendo respond in the near future? Only time will tell.