Switch vs PS4 Sales Comparison - October 2021 - Sales

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The VGChartz sales comparison series of articles are updated monthly and each one focuses on a different sales comparison using our estimated video game hardware figures. The charts include comparisons between the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, as well as with older platforms. There are articles based on our worldwide estimates, as well as the US, Europe, and Japan.

This monthly series compares the aligned worldwide sales of the Nintendo Switch and the PlayStation 4.

The PlayStation 4 launched in November 2013, while the Nintendo Switch launched worldwide in March 2017. Therefore, the holiday periods for the two consoles do not lineup, which is why there are big increases and decreases.

Switch Vs. PS4 Global:

Gap change in latest month: 1,202,457 - Switch

Gap change over last 12 months: 6,898,898 - Switch

Total Lead: 13,091,492 - Switch

Switch Total Sales: 93,702,538

PS4 Total Sales: 80,611,046

October 2021 is the 56th month that the Nintendo Switch has been available for. During the latest month, the gap grew in favor of the Switch by 1.20 million units when compared to the PlayStation 4 during the same timeframe. In the last 12 months, the Switch has outsold the PlayStation 4 by 6.90 million units. The Switch is currently ahead of the PlayStation 4 by 13.09 million units.

The 56th month on sale for the Nintendo Switch is October 2021, while for the PlayStation 4 it is June 2018. The Switch has sold 93.70 million units, while the PlayStation 4 sold 80.61 million units during the same timeframe. The PlayStation 4 did not reach current Switch sales until month 64 where it sold 93.93 million units.

The PlayStation 4 has sold 116.61 million units through October 2021. The Nintendo Switch is currently 22.91 million units behind the lifetime sales of the PlayStation 4.

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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Torpoleon (on 02 December 2021)

In about a year from now, this race should be over.

• +19

2zosteven Torpoleon (on 02 December 2021)

agreed, it will need the holiday season to pass though.

• +13

Torpoleon 2zosteven (on 02 December 2021)

You're probably right, though I don't think it will be too far off at the end of September. Could see Switch being at 116m by the end of September next year.

• +12

curl-6 (on 02 December 2021)

Getting harder and harder to see PS4 holding onto its lead. At this point only extraordinary circumstances could do it.

• +9

mjk45 curl-6 (on 03 December 2021)

You would basically need an out of the blue Switch 2 release and I'm talking real soon and even then it would have to be followed with a drop in production similar to the PS4 after the PS5 release.

• +9

Mnementh curl-6 (on 03 December 2021)

Alien Invasion? Comet leads to extinction of the human race? WorldWar III?

There are a lot of options, that could lead to PS4 staying on top. Not very likely ones though, and for the most part options in which case nobody would care anymore about sales numbers. :-)

• +7

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Kristof81 curl-6 (on 03 December 2021)

Only Nintendo can kill this trend by releasing new shining hardware with same price point. Unless Sony will drop PS4 price to $150 or less. TBH I'm not convicted that $200 would make a huge difference, looking at the latest sales charts.

• +2

Mnementh Kristof81 (on 03 December 2021)

I think even at standard price PS4 would sell more, but Sony reduces production in favor of PS5.

And yes, Switch also meets production limits, so it is fair still to compare.

• +1

pikashoe (on 04 December 2021)

Crazy how much the switch has exceeded expectations.

• +1

Agente42 pikashoe (on 04 December 2021)

The long life of Sony hardware has two reasons: the dominance of third-party games and multiplicity of price-cutting at the expense of the profit from selling the hardware. Third-party games are now available on competitors and on pc. And the aggressive price cuts no longer practices because realized that profit is more important than having the best-selling console.

• -1

pikashoe Agente42 (on 05 December 2021)

Eh was this meant for me. Doesn't really have anything to do with what I said

• +1

Agente42 pikashoe (on 05 December 2021)

Everything. The Nintendo Switch may have long legs because of the massive support of the indies(thirds), Nintendo's unified pipeline and some fuel in the tank because it hasn't made any price cuts yet.

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