Since the launch of the PS5 last November, console sales have been talked about for many reasons: record launches, bottlenecks, black market sales, troubles in Japan, etc. Although several months have passed and the euphoria of the launch has subsided, the results of the new console give Sony continues to be subject to discussion.
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A lot of ink has been spilled over the PS5 situation in Japan for months. Far from getting a start worthy of its famous big sisters, the console continues to sell small in the Japanese archipelago, through supplies and other lotteries organized by resellers. And to believe the latest charts published on the Japanese magazine website Famitsuthe PS5 reached another sales milestone in its “home country” last week.
Despite a decrease in Japanese PS5 sales compared to the previous week, -68% for the Standard Edition and -59% for the Digital Edition, Japanese PS5 sales last week were enough to break the 600,000 consoles sold threshold (600,966 PS5 sold or 501,935 standard consoles and 99,031 Digital Edition).
The launch of the PS5 in Japan was unmistakably chaotic. However, it appears that Thanks to regular replenishments, the console is on the verge of catching up on the total sales the PS4 made after being in the Japanese market for twenty weeks. The latter actually stagnated relatively quickly in Japan (and PS5 shipments are now larger than the PS4 in their day). Obviously, the PS5 remains a long way from the heyday of the PlayStation brand in Japan. But this gradual change is still good news for Sony. It remains to be seen how far Sony can push this “positive dynamic”.
Cult consoles in the rearview mirror
The other part of this message, dedicated to the PS5, takes us back to the old continent (but not the European Union). Indeed, Christopher Dring, who is always responsible for the GamesIndustry.biz website very well informed in numbers. On his account Twitter Staff, The journalist announces that the PS5 has already surpassed total sales for the Wii U, PS Vita and Dreamcast in the UK.
Obviously, these aren’t the best-selling consoles in history. The fact that the PS5 beat it less than six months after its release, which is a more complicated context, is a powerful symbol. Despite UK consumers struggling to get PS5s since last November, the console continues to enjoy consistent popularity. The increase in console volumes produced and the introduction of new games will certainly allow the Sony console to continue on its way.
What do you think of these new statistics? Are you surprised at the PS5’s humble comeback in Japan? And do you surprise the fact that Wii U, Vita and Dreamcast have already passed in the UK? Empty your pocket in the comments below.
