It's good news for Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S, as the current-gen console outsold both PS5 and Nintendo Switch in the UK in January. Current-gen console sales have been difficult to measure properly given the extreme scarcity of both Xbox Series X/S and PS5 units, but it's been abundantly clear based on the console resale market and the demand consumers have had for restock notifications that there's no shortage of people ready to make an upgrade as soon as they have the chance.
attempting to ban scalpers altogether, though the methodology of these bans can be tricky - retailers are randomizing sales, for instance, but this makes it difficult for legitimate buyers to plan to pick up a console, too. Regardless of the complexities the current-gen console market is currently embroiled within, however, one thing that hasn't been affected is sales.
That's been proven once again in a recent report from GamesIndustry.biz (based on GfK's charts) that revealed Xbox Series X/S outsold both PS5 and Nintendo Switch in January 2021 in the UK. This is the first time the Xbox Series X/S has sold better than its competitors, and clearly illustrates how competitive the console market is now following the release of Microsoft's device and PS5. Nintendo Switch finished in second with PS5 barely falling into third place, while console sales were up a staggering 148% in January 2021 when compared to the same month last year.
Of course, it's natural that console sales would increase so much in 2021 - this is the first January that PS5 and Xbox Series X/S have been available, following a year that was the tail-end of the lifespan of the PS4 and Xbox One. It's also worth noting that PS5 stock was particularly difficult to find in the beginning of January in the UK, meaning the console began the month without the ability to really chart sales.
Still, Xbox Series X/S has had a lot of work to do in rehabbing the image of the brand following its dismal performance as Xbox One when compared to PS4 and Nintendo Switch. The report does a good job showcasing how the current-gen console market has a lot of promise in driving each company to continue to push the boundaries of their respective technologies - though getting proper exclusive games libraries on Xbox Series X/S and PS5 will go a long way in proving whether or not that competitiveness is viable long-term.
Source: GfK (via GamesIndustry.biz)
