nintendo switch dominated the Japanese console market for five years, but it looks like that might change after ps5 sales top Switch for the first time. Sales of the PS5 console in Japan have increased significantly year on year thanks to improved supplies, there is no longer a chronic shortage of components.
PS5 sales are up 457% in Japan, but Switch sales are down
In February 2023, PS5 sales were up 457% in Japan compared to February 2022. The PS5 sold 65,772 units in February 2022, but that had risen to 366,982 units in February 2023 according to figures by Famitsu (translated by @Genki_JPN). In fact, the console managed to sell more units last month than in its first four months of release combined.
The PS5 managed to beat Nintendo Switch to become the best-selling console in Japan last month. It’s the first time since February 2018 that the Nintendo Switch hasn’t won the title. This is likely due to the fact that Switch sales are down 41% from last year.
PS5 sales also overtook Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X | S in the UK and across Europe in February 2023. Sales data is not yet known for the US, but is likely to follow a similar pattern.