PS5 vs Xbox Series X|S vs Switch Launch Sales Comparison Through Week 5 - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted on 25 December 2020 / 12,902 Views
This weekly mini-series compares the aligned launch sales of the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
It should be noted the Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X|S had a worldwide launch, while the PlayStation 5 launch was split over the course of two weeks. Also, the Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017, while the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S launched during the holidays in November 2020.
PS5 Vs. Xbox Series X|S vs Switch Global:
- PS5: 3,733,146
- Switch: 2,329,638
- XSX|S: 2,009,716
Through the first five weeks available worldwide the PlayStation 5 is ahead of the Switch and Xbox Series X|S by a fair margin. The PS5 is ahead of the Switch by 1.40 million units and is 1.72 million units ahead of the Xbox Series X|S.
The PS5 has sold 3.73 million in five weeks worldwide, while the Switch sold 2.33 million units and the Xbox Series X|S 2.01 million units.
Looking at the marketshare through five weeks, the PlayStation 5 currently leads. The PS5 has a 46.2 percent marketshare, the Switch sits at 28.9 percent, and the Xbox Series X|S at 24.9 percent.
The Switch didn't reach current PS5 sales until week 15.
PS5 Vs. Xbox Series X|S vs Switch US:
- PS5: 1,536,584
- XSX|S: 1,097,490
- Switch: 908,438
Through the first five weeks available in the US the PlayStation 5 is ahead of the Switch and Xbox Series X|S. The PS5 is ahead of the Xbox Series X|S by 439,094 units and is 628,146 units ahead of the Switch.
The PS5 has sold 1.54 million in five weeks in the US, while the Xbox Series X|S sold 1.10 million units and the Switch 0.91 million units.
Looking at the marketshare through five weeks, the PlayStation 5 currently leads. The PS5 has a 43.4 percent marketshare, the Xbox Series X|S sits at 31.0 percent, and the Switch at 25.6 percent.
The Switch didn't reach current PS5 sales until week 17 and current Xbox Series X|S sales until week nine.
PS5 Vs. Xbox Series X|S vs Switch Europe (4 weeks):
- PS5: 1,303,602
- Switch: 601,048
- XSX|S: 533,456
The PlayStation 5 has been available for one week less than the Xbox Series X|S in Europe. After four weeks the PS5 is ahead of the Switch by 702,554 units and is 770,146 units ahead of the Xbox Series X|S.
The PS5 has sold 1.30 million in four weeks in Europe, while the Switch sold 0.60 million units and the Xbox Series X|S 0.53 million units.
Looking at the marketshare through four weeks, the PlayStation 5 currently leads. The PS5 has a 53.5 percent marketshare, the Switch sits at 24.6 percent, and the Xbox Series X|S at 21.9 percent.
The Switch didn't reach current PS5 sales until week 20.
PS5 Vs. Xbox Series X|S vs Switch Japan:
- Switch: 564,915
- PS5: 226,509
- XSX|S: 31,675
Through the first five weeks available in Japan the Switch is ahead of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S by a large margin. The Switch is ahead of the PS5 by 338,406 units and is 533,240 units ahead of the Xbox Series X|S.
The Switch has sold 564,915 units in five weeks in Japan, while the PS5 has sold 226,509 units, and the Xbox Series X|S 31,675 units.
Looking at the marketshare through five weeks, the Switch currently leads. The Switch has a 68.6 percent marketshare, the PS5 sits at 27.5 percent, and the Xbox Series X|S at 3.9 percent.
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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What a difference it makes launching a console in spring compared to fall! I can't wait to see how this develops overtime.
@dmillos Holiday period is better for a strong burst of initial sales and media buzz, but a spring debut generally allows for a better pipeline of software and can prevent droughts. Shortages are more common when launching during the holidays, but can still happen for a spring launch. Ideally, a holiday launch is best if all things software fall into place, but in practice, a spring launch can give devs more time to put games out realistically.
Hi @PDIddy, I agree with you. Personally I think that november will be good either way, while something like march is usually low in sales, therefore I think that it might be good to apply this initial boost to a "Low" month. It also allows the companies to be able to handle shortages a bit better.
It is impossible to know, but do you think that if the PS5 was released next march, it would have the same amount of sales?
I dont see a difference. Both systems sold out, and both will/did in the months after launch.
If you can only offer a few million units at launch, launching in november or march will make no difference. Only if you manage to launch a system with 5 million+ (probably way more than 5m) available you will start to see the launch window having an effect.
Nice comparison. Actually I would like to see, how this all stacks up against PS4 and Xbox One too.
+1. Unless that would get to convoluted, I'd really think it would make a great addition.
For Global numbers PS4 after 5 weeks was just under 3 million, XBOne was 2.6 million... Both were doing better weekly numbers than PS5 & XBS/X though. (e.g week 6 for PS4 is 762k, so it will be "catching up" next week unless PS5 matches that)
Good numbers all around for all the 9th gen systems. 2021 will be interesting to see.
This is a silly comparison as all three of the consoles sold out all units produced for the first 5 weeks and beyond. One didn't sell better than the others because it was more in demand, only because more were produced. All three have suffered from scalpers buying up every unit they can get their hands on. I'm old enough to remember walking into a Toy's R Us on release day and buying a console. No huge lines, no thousands of systems being scalped. Anyone who buys from a scalper is part of the problem. Be patient, scalpers add zero value to the system and more systems will always be produced.
Very interesting article, I like that you include the different regions, there is a big change in slope on the Worldwide line for PS5. But it is interesting to see that the biggest part of that change is Japan. US actually has a bit of a growth. There also seems to be a good percentage of sales for Rest of the world that might be interesting to look at.
The change in PS5 slope is due to the 1 week later launch in Europe, Japan sales are too low to have a noticable effect on Worldwide sales.
Switch didn't launch on holiday season that's why it's numbers are lower than ps5 otherwise it'd be a different case
What this tells me is that Sony has been able to manufacture more launch window consoles than Nintendo or Microsoft. The Switch was hard to find in most places for several months after its launch and it look like it's going to be the same way with the PS5 and Series X.
True but by launching in March, Nintendo was able to manufacture plenty of new stock by the holidays so they were still able to have a full holiday season by launching early in the year.
Oh sorry I misread your reply. I agree that Sony sold more because of supply, not launch period.
