PS5 continues to dominate the console market, with the latest sales figures indicating that it was the top-selling console in Japan last week. Since its release in November 2020, theavailability of the PS5 console has been a persistent issue, with many fans unable to get their hands on the highly sought-after device. This scarcity can be attributed to a number of factors, including hardware component limitations that have affected production and assembly. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about numerous challenges for the shipping industry, further exacerbating the limited supply of PS5.In December 2022, Jim Ryan, the head of PlayStation, addressed the issue of PS5 supply shortages during a video call at the PlayStation Partner Awards. He expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to customers and reassured them that all supply issues had been resolved. Ryan specifically mentioned thatcustomers in Japan and Asia will be able to obtain their PS5units during the year-end shopping season and into 2023.RELATED:PS5 and Xbox Series X/S Estimated Sales Numbers Are Closer Than ExpectedAs the supply problems for thePS5have gradually been alleviated, its sales have correspondingly risen in Japan. According to Famitsu, in the week ending on August 03, 2025, PS5 was the best-selling console in Japan, with a total of 62,908 units sold. This figure outstripped the sales of the Nintendo console, which sold 51,108 units over the same period. However, the digital edition of the PS5 lagged behind, selling fewer than 10,000 units. In comparison, Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S saw a relatively small sales figure, with just over 1,200 units sold during the same period.
PlayStation consoles have a rich history of success in Japan, though Nintendo’s sales figures have often overshadowed them. In recent months, software sales in Japan have been dominated byNintendo Switch gamessuch asPokemon Scarlet and Violet,Splatoon 3,Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. Despite this, PS5 outselling Nintendo in Japan suggests increasing popularity for Sony’s hardware.
The video game industry experienced significant growth in 2020 due to lockdowns and stay-at-home measures. However, Sony has not shown any slowdown, even with the easing of restrictions. In 2022, Sony’s Game and Network Services division earned almost $10 billion, a YoY increase of 53%. Furthermore, Sony’s holiday season sales of over 7 million PlayStation 5 units represented an 82% increase from the previous quarter. Sony has sold an estimated 32 million PS5 units since its launch, with 25% of sales occurring in the most recent fiscal quarter. To meet its sales expectations,Sony needs to sell an additional 5 million unitsby the end of March 2023.
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