According to recently published statistics, the PlayStation 5 is the video game console that is most widely used in Europe.
A study was done recently wherein the Google search volume for the next-gen gaming platforms was compared across all of Europe. The most popular console in each country was determined by tallying up the number of Google searches for terms like “console,” “buy console,” “console for sale,” and “console games” over a year.
In Europe, the PlayStation 5 was the most sought-after console, topping the charts in a staggering 43 of the 47 countries analyzed. PlayStation 5-related search phrases received 63.3% more monthly searches in Azerbaijan than those on Xbox One, Series X/S, or Nintendo Switch. Georgia (61.6%) and Bulgaria (62.7%) followed this trend closely.
According to Sony’s financial statistics announced in February 2023, PS5 sales increased drastically in Europe’s first quarter of 2023, climbing by as much as 500% across the continent. The console’s high-end hardware and exclusive blockbuster games like God of War and Spider-Man have made it a hit among avid gamers.
It is speculated that the console’s heightened demand due to a scarcity in supplies led to record-breaking sales once production had caught up. Roughly 37.4 million PlayStation 5s have been sold globally since its launch.
In four different European countries—Andorra, Ireland, Liechtenstein, and Spain—the more portable Nintendo Switch came out on top. In these nations, searches for Nintendo Switch consoles made up 46.4%, 43.8%, 45.5%, and 47.2% of all searches for video game consoles. The Switch was also revealed to have the second-highest amount of Google searches for consoles in 41 European countries.
The Nintendo Switch, which debuted in 2017, has quickly become a fan favorite despite being an early arrival to the gaming console market, thanks to its hybrid design that allows for both handheld and home use. Newer titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons have helped cement the Switch as a top choice for European gamers looking for a family-friendly gaming option or those wishing to connect with immersive game worlds on the go, alongside legendary franchises like Mario and Zelda.
In Europe, Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Series S look to hold a substantially smaller market share than the second and fourth most popular consoles, respectively. Although the Xbox Series X/S was not the most popular console overall, it was the runner-up in both Hungary and Ukraine.
In Hungary, the Xbox Series X/S accounted for 34% of all search terms analyzed, while the PlayStation 5 and the Nintendo Switch each accounted for 66%. The Xbox Series X/S was also determined to have the majority of searches (30%) in Ukraine.
In addition to Xbox exclusives like Halo and Gears of War, the console’s emphasis on high-performance gameplay and backward compatibility with older games will undoubtedly win over die-hard players.
Microsoft has previously been reluctant to disclose its sales data, but industry experts believe the Xbox One S and Xbox One X are trailing the PlayStation 5 by a not-insignificant margin. The less powerful Xbox Series S is factored into analysts’ estimates of total console sales. It is estimated that Microsoft has sold 21.7 million Series X and Series S consoles worldwide as of this writing.
