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PS5 Had the Biggest Console Launch in History

PS5 Had the Biggest Console Launch in History - Sales

by William D'Angelo , posted on 01 December 2020 / 6,409 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.


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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33 Comments
WoodenPints (on 25 November 2020)

Indeed this the the biggest console to launch ever.

  • +28
UnderwaterFunktown WoodenPints (on 25 November 2020)

You could fit 6 Wiis inside it.

  • +14
Blood_Tears (on 25 November 2020)

Congrats to Sony and Playstation for setting yet another record in the industry, well deserved.

  • +18
siebensus4 Blood_Tears (on 28 November 2020)

Who else than Sony could set a new record in PlayStation history?

  • -5
Blood_Tears Blood_Tears (on 28 November 2020)

Did you just read the tweet instead of reading and understanding the article?

  • +3
pitzy272 (on 25 November 2020)

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.

  • +11
JRPGfan pitzy272 (on 25 November 2020)

Both..... apparently if you go by ZhugeEX tweets.

  • +9
SuperNintend0rk pitzy272 (on 25 November 2020)

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.

  • +12
DonFerrari (on 25 November 2020)

Congrats and was expected, now please give numbers.

  • +10
Signalstar (on 25 November 2020)

Watch the Throne

  • +10
Angelv577 (on 25 November 2020)

Congrtaz to sony. It is looking like it is going to be a repeat from ps4 and xb1. Not looking good for xbox.

  • +9
Amnesia Angelv577 (on 25 November 2020)

Keeping a ratio of 1 against 2 is enough to stay on the market for the XBOX.

  • 0
Angelv577 Angelv577 (on 25 November 2020)

I agree. Xbox did decent enough last gen to stay on the market and I am sure they will do fine this gen as well.

  • +1
KLAMarine Angelv577 (on 25 November 2020)

Don't worry too much about XBox. Its parent company isn't just XBox: Microsoft also owns Windows OS which has a big hold on PC gaming.

  • -5
AFattyGamer (on 25 November 2020)

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.

  • +7
okr AFattyGamer (on 25 November 2020)

No chance without Japan.

  • +11
AFattyGamer AFattyGamer (on 25 November 2020)

100k+ 1st week sold in Japan is pretty good for PS5. And Sony was supply constraint there as well compared to PS4. But the Japanese market doesn't like Sony anymore? Y'all keep sleeping on Sony though. PS5 is about to break all records. Sony is competiting with themselves at this point.

  • -5
okr AFattyGamer (on 25 November 2020)

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.

  • +5
Slownenberg AFattyGamer (on 25 November 2020)

Uhh the Switch sells hello haha. First PS5 gotta show it can outsell PS4. Then it's gotta show it can outsell Switch, which seems unlikely. Before you even start talking about PS2 haha

  • -5
Evilms (on 25 November 2020)

well deserved for the king

  • +5
Ryotsu (on 25 November 2020)

Nice

  • +5
JRPGfan (on 25 November 2020)

So.... 5-6m by end of year?

  • +3
DonFerrari JRPGfan (on 25 November 2020)

Not impossible, but highly unlikely.

  • +2
JRPGfan JRPGfan (on 25 November 2020)

Didn't the PS5 do like 4,5m? or abit over.... if this launch is bigger... hopefully its atleast 500k more so?

  • +2
DonFerrari JRPGfan (on 25 November 2020)

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.

  • +2
pitzy272 (on 08 December 2020)

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.

  • 0
pitzy272 (on 05 December 2020)

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.

  • 0
KratosLives (on 26 November 2020)

biggest launch as in numbers or time for a certain amound sold fast? did they even have as much inventory as ps4 first week>?

  • 0
siebensus4 (on 26 November 2020)

"We want to thank gamers" ...and what about the scalpers who also helped and bought thousands of consoles to make it the biggest PlayStation launch ever? ^^

  • -5
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DonFerrari Shadow1980 (on 25 November 2020)

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.

  • +3
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