Sony’s PlayStation 5 is still going strong, and honestly, it’s pretty impressive considering all the challenges it’s faced. Three years in, the PS5 is right on track with the sales pace of its predecessor, the beloved PS4, which remains one of the top-selling consoles of all time. Despite all the supply chain struggles and the intense competition in the gaming world, the PS5 is proving it’s got staying power.
Just last week, Sony released its Q4 earnings report, and let’s just say it’s a good time to be invested in PlayStation. Shares shot up more than 10% thanks to some strong numbers, including the fact that the PS5 sold a massive 9.5 million units during the holiday quarter. That’s not just good—it’s the PS5’s best quarter ever, showing a 16% jump from last year’s holiday season. And remember, this is all thanks to the release of the shiny new $700 PS5 Pro in November, which definitely gave things a boost.
Now, if you add that up, the PS5 has reached a grand total of 75 million units sold worldwide. That’s a big number. But here’s the twist: it’s still trailing a bit behind the PS4 at the same point in its life cycle. The PS4 is still the fifth best-selling console of all time, so it’s got some serious legacy to live up to. But even though the PS5 hasn’t quite caught up with the PS4 just yet, these recent numbers show that Sony is doing pretty well, all things considered.
When you take a step back and look at the entire 2024 calendar year, the PS5’s sales have hit 20.2 million units. To put that in perspective, that’s more than the combined sales of both the Nintendo Switch (11.5 million units) and Xbox consoles (roughly 5 million each). PlayStation is leading the pack, and that’s no small feat in a market as competitive as this one.
Max Knoblauch, a writer over at Sherwood, took a deep dive into how Sony has kept its momentum going, despite the gaming industry taking some hits. It’s not just about the console anymore—it’s about expanding PlayStation into films and TV shows, too. Sony’s really been pushing hard to turn its gaming franchises into massive cross-media franchises, and that’s paying off in a big way.
Let’s also not forget that this year marks the 30th anniversary of PlayStation. Three decades of iconic gaming, and they’re just getting started. The PS5 is only a few years old, but with this momentum and the big 30th-anniversary milestone, it’s clear Sony’s not slowing down anytime soon. If this holiday quarter was anything to go by, 2024 is shaping up to be even bigger for the brand. There’s no telling how high PlayStation can go with the continued rise of VR, live-service games, and even more cross-platform entertainment.
At the end of the day, even though Sony’s faced its fair share of bumps—supply shortages, manufacturing delays, and tough competition from the likes of Xbox and Nintendo—PlayStation is still standing tall. The PS5 is more than just a gaming console at this point. It’s a cultural force, and with the PS5 Pro hitting shelves, it’s clear that PlayStation isn’t done pushing the envelope. The future of gaming is looking very bright, and Sony seems more than ready to lead the charge.