If we look at the data we have on the cumulative sales of current consoles, there is no doubt that PS5 beats Xbox Series S and Xbox Seriesalthough it is true that in terms of absolute sales, the Nintendo Switch would win hands down right now if we take into account the total cumulative sales of the current and previous generations of consoles.

The data we have counts until October 28, 2023, which means they are properly updated and very reliable. In them we can see that the PS5 was sold in total 45.37 million units from launch in late 2020, namely Xbox Series S and Xbox Series 24.33 million units sold in total.

I emphasized “as a whole” because if we were to do a separate assessment of the sales of the Xbox Series X, which is the PS5’s true rival by price range, the number would be much lower. Microsoft doesn’t provide separate data for the two consoles, so I’m afraid we’ll never really know the weight of each of these consoles in total sales. All in all, this allows us to make it clear that Microsoft was not wrong in deciding to launch two models, as it ultimately allowed it to better compete with the PS5.

PS5 beats Xbox Series X and Series S in all markets

And thanks to the push the console has seen in Europe with recent seasons of deals, its sales have surprisingly soared. During the month of October, Sony’s console is estimated to have sold in Europe 621,337 units, while Xbox Series X and Series S only added 126,939 units sold. Nintendo Switch managed to achieve 223,760 units sold.

We can give these numbers more context to make a direct comparison with the results of the same month in 2022, and the truth is that the results are very interesting. PS5 sales double in October 2023 (increased by 203.6%), but Xbox Series X and Series S sales down 35.4%. Nintendo Switch too down 24.9% in this year-on-year comparison.

What does this tell us? Well, the Xbox Series X and Series S are the lowest selling console on the old continent, and that both consoles did not see the expected success even on a global level. Granted, with 24.33 million units, we can’t consider them a failure, but it’s clear that they didn’t live up to Microsoft’s expectations, and at this rate they could end up below the sales of the Xbox One and Xbox One X.

Personally, I have to say it’s a shame because Microsoft has done a good job with both consoles on a hardware level, and he was right about proposals like Game Pass, but in the end it’s clear that wasn’t enough to bring down Sony. It’s important to remember that the Japanese company started this generation with a significant advantage, the colossal victory it achieved with the PS4 and the mistakes Microsoft made with the Xbox One.

I know the generational war isn’t over yet, but a lot needs to change for the Xbox Series X and Series S to have any chance of making a comeback. It’s highly unlikely, and with the Nintendo Switch 2 getting closer and closer, I fear that eventually two Microsoft consoles inThey will become the big losers of this generation.