PS5 Had the Biggest Console Launch in History - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted on 01 December 2020 / 5,077 Views
The PlayStation 5 had a bigger launch than any other PlayStation in history, according to the official PlayStation Twitter account.
The previous record-holder for the biggest console launch in video game history was the PlayStation 4, which means the PS5 set a new record for the biggest console launch. The PS4 sold more than 2.1 million units over the course of its staggered launch in 2013.
"We want to thank gamers everywhere for making the PS5 launch our biggest console launch ever," reads the official PlayStation Twitter account.
"Demand for PS5 is unprecedented, so we wanted to confirm that more PS5 inventory will be coming to retailers before the end of the year -- please stay in touch with you local retailers."
Based on preliminary data VGChartz estimates that the PlayStation 5 sold between an estimated 2.1 million to 2.5 million units worldwide when you combine its two staggered launch days.
We want to thank gamers everywhere for making the PS5 launch our biggest console launch ever. Demand for PS5 is unprecedented, so we wanted to confirm that more PS5 inventory will be coming to retailers before the end of the year - please stay in touch with your local retailers.
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) November 25, 2020
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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Indeed this the the biggest console to launch ever.
You could fit 6 Wiis inside it.
Congrats to Sony and Playstation for setting yet another record in the industry, well deserved.
Did you just read the tweet instead of reading and understanding the article?
Okay biggest console launch in history or biggest PLAYSTATION console launch in history? Article goes back and forth, but tweet specifies PS launch. If NOT the biggest overall launch, what console would have beaten it? The Switch is the only one that seems possible.
On a different note, man, I wonder what it could’ve done if they actually had enough supply to meet demand.
I'm pretty sure the PS4 previously held the record for biggest launch so if the PS5 sold more it must've broken the record.
This ps5 gen will probably be even more fantastic than ps4 generation.
Sony knows how to please gamers
Congrats and was expected, now please give numbers.
Watch the Throne
Congrtaz to sony. It is looking like it is going to be a repeat from ps4 and xb1. Not looking good for xbox.
I told y'all to stop sleeping on Sony. This is nothing new for Sony, they're about to dominate 9th gen. Sony started off the generation correctly ... It's scary to think Sony hasn't even met the unprecedented demand for PS5 yet. The PS5 isn't aiming for the the PS4 ... PS2 watch your seat.
No chance without Japan.
The PS3 and PS4 just sold around 10 million in Japan. To come even close to the worldwide numbers of DS and PS2, a system needs to sell around 25 million in Japan. I doubt the oversized PS5 will achieve that.
well deserved for the king
Nice
That is quite the accomplishment. I'm one of those over 2M PS5 owners, and I've been enjoying it so far. But it is worth pointing out that the PS4's launch was far more staggered. The PS5 was released in every major market within a span of eight days (NA & Japan on the 12th, Europe on the 19th), while the PS4 wasn't released in Europe until two weeks after its NA launch and not in Japan until Feb. 22, 2014. That does matter in these sorts of comparisons. Once we get all the data needed for one, a region-by-region breakdown will give us a more accurate assessment of its launch.
Well considering Japan only received 120k this launch (and well it was sold out anywhere so even if not launching in Japan that 120k would have been sold elsewhere) then it doesn't make much difference anyway as USA+Europe+RoW was essentially similar and they are comparing that total from what it seems.
So.... 5-6m by end of year?
Not impossible, but highly unlikely.
It did? I just remember about 6.5M by march, that is why I think it would be hard for PS5 to reach 6M by End of december. Because of production mostly.
Okay biggest console launch in history or biggest PLAYSTATION console launch in history? Article goes back and forth, but tweet specifies PS launch. If NOT the biggest overall launch, what console would have beaten it? The Switch is the only one that seems possible.
On a different note, man, I wonder what it could’ve done if they actually had enough supply to meet demand.
Okay biggest console launch in history or biggest PLAYSTATION console launch in history? Article goes back and forth, but tweet specifies PS launch. If NOT the biggest overall launch, what console would have beaten it? The Switch is the only one that seems possible.
On a different note, man, I wonder what it could’ve done if they actually had enough supply to meet demand.
biggest launch as in numbers or time for a certain amound sold fast? did they even have as much inventory as ps4 first week>?
