First week sales PS5 sold 118,000 units in 4 days, Xbox Series X | S sold 21,000 units in 6 days

According to Famitsu's research, the estimated domestic sales volume (breaking news) of the next-generation consoles (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S) in the first week was revealed.

[ArchangelMike]

I can understand Sony's strategy. The EU & US are their dominant markets, and where they generate the most amount of revenue. It would make sense if you have a limited stock to allocate most of that stock to your dominant market. Sony have Japan in their back pocket, and stock will always sell there, also there is less competition from MS. In the EU & US however, the competition is stronger, and stock shortages potentially give more ground to the competittion.

The important thing here for both consoles though, is that launch day sales are not an indicator of a lack of demand. Demand is extremely high for both consoles, the problem is supply. We won't really know how well both consoles are selling (in relation to demand) until there is a surplus in the market.

[AnnaDea]

I wouldn't be expect that PS5 would suffer compared to last-gen.

Playstation 5 had more pre-order than what Playstation 4 sold in it's first half year already.

[spambot0815]

only problem, a good chunk of ps5's ain't moving software right now because they are waiting to be resold for a higher price.

[_Decadent_Descent]

@spambot0815 Let's hope they can't sell them too. Fuck scalpers.

[savedsynner]

True...amazing what a good launch linup does. The PS4 IMO had a decent but not good launch line up. I myself didnt buy one until Shadow of mordor came out.

[CrimsonWing69]

Well if it’s selling out isn’t that a good sign? Just ramp up your supply for the demand?

[RosweeSon]

Everything sells out mainly due to scalpers

[EverydayJoe]

A smart scalper is going to have an ear to the ground for whats hot. They don't want to sit on product that has warm demand. That hits them in the wallet. They want products that people will pay whatever they are asking, and fast. Thats the whole name of their game. Flip high and flip fast.

[GamerRN]

It's Japan. No one expected MS to do a damn thing in Japan... Not news

[arkard]

You can't just hit a button and say, build faster. You have to source all the components, this takes time to allocate. They have to figure costs into all of it as well. If you can't get more components at the price you set and now have to look at spending more your profit margin (or losses) increase.

[philm87]

Exactly @arkard. Plus there's no point in them using huge factories/warehouses that they have to cut back on in a few months when demand drops slightly. All done to keep the price down so they can sell the console at a great value for the customers. Same reason there's not more storage. Why cater for the few that need more storage and have to put off the many with the price tag?

[Father__Merrin]

There is supply shortage but over the years a traditional home console has gotten less ans less and more handheld. It would be a good idea fir Sony to release a JP only handheld

[gold_drake]

that would be a terrible business idea.

[jznrpg]

I want a world handheld from Sony

[badz149]

a handheld using Ryzen APU would be very interesting right now.

[PixelOmen]

I agree that handhelds completely dominate the Japanese market, it that is really the only way for Sony to move big numbers there. However I don't think they'd be able to throw all their weight behind R&D and 1st party support if they're only selling the software in that one market.

[talocaca]

I live in Tokyo and it is IMPOSSIBLE to get a PS5 right now, so it's l about supply.

All shops are holding lotteries to get one and recently you have a 1~2% chance of actually winning.

Even getting a PS4 or a Switch is close to impossible this year.

[yeahokwhatever]

I live in the US and its IMPOSSIBLE to get a PS5 right now.

[medman]

The numbers are pretty much meaningless at this point....I'm fairly certain that if Sony and Microsoft could produce 8 million consoles in the first month, they would both sell out. I was fortunate to get a ps5 from best buy in store pickup, but my amazon series x pre-order was delayed until who knows when. The demand is there at launch for both consoles, especially the ps5, but the production is not nearly enough to meet the overwhelming demand.

It's disappointing for gamers who were hoping to get their hands on one, or both, before Christmas. It seems highly unlikely that the supply will increase significantly between now and the end of the year for that to happen. Yesterday Microsoft stated that they would be limited in series production until April 2021!??!

https://www.windowscentral....

People may be waiting longer than they ever thought for these consoles.

[yeahokwhatever]

i got lucky with a ps5 preorder at bestbuy. im 5 for 5 with launch day PlayStations in my life. :-)

[kingPoS]

I've seen a couple of Switch lite's at my local Target. No ps5 or even the pulse headphones though, unsurprisingly.

Gateway MT6706 2008

[Angyobangyo]

Whilst true about the ps5 and even the switch to a certain level, the ps4 has been pretty easy purchase this year. Biccamera, Yodobashi, Geo, etc have always had ps4s in stock. During the first minor lockdown earlier this year, the switch was difficult to find but supplies have been back to normal over the few months. Could be a Tokyo thing though as I live right between Tokyo and Saitama.

Did any retailer in Japan ever offer first-come pre-orders like in the UK and Europe? I've only seen lotteries in this region.

[Relientk77]

It's because of supply shortages, but you know don't mention that in the title or anything...

[SamTheGamer]

Supply sortage and Covid-19 is the reason.

[TheOtherMoon]

Please do not just read the headline...it is very misleading.

[Golfcoachh]

Xbox did better than I would have thought in Japan actually.

[NeoGamer232]

Ya, PS5 is a supply issue, but 21,000 XB Series units is probably more then XBO sold in any year of the generation. LOL.... Nothing to write home about, but it is a small win.

[oof46]

Main thing is MS and Sony sold all available stock.

[DJStotty]

A boatload better, the xbox one x sold 1,600 units in its 1st week at launch in Japan.

Series X/S is already over 21,000

[SullysCigar]

Where are you getting that 1,600 figure from?

Using the same source as is providing 21,000 for Series S and Series X, they state that Xbox One sold 24,000 in Japan in week 1.

[georgenancy]

this dude is straight pulling numbers out of his ass lol

[DJStotty]

@SullysCigar

You really do need to learn the difference between the Xbox One and the Xbox One X.

Xbox One - 24,000
Xbox One X - 1,600

come on it's not hard.

@georgenancy & @SullyCigar

"Where are you getting that 1,600 figure from?"

"this dude is straight pulling numbers out of his ass lol"

Yeah course :-

https://www.gamesindustry.b...

"Xbox One X first week sales in Japan were behind every other major console, shifting only 1,639 units."

In black and white for the uneducated

[SullysCigar]

The issue here is twofold:

Firstly, the Xbox naming convention is plain stupid.

Secondly, you are insisting on comparing TWO brand new gen consoles launching against a mid-gen refresh that the Japanese market were smart enough not to fall for. As opposed to, you know, the last gen launch. I get the logical way doesn't suit your narrative, but it's best to face reality.

If you'd care for a proper breakdown of the figures, scroll down a little and see my other reply to you. Happy to help educate - I realise some people find it hard to use the internet.

[DJStotty]

Ok let's compare it with the Xbox One launch to make you happy :-

Xbox One sold 23,562 units with shelves still full of unsold consoles.
Xbox Series S/X has sold 21,000 consoles and has sold out, implying the demand is higher than the Xbox One launch, they can not sell more than 21,000 as there is none.

Try and deny and deflect all you like, the fact is, if the consoles were available, the consoles combined would outsell the original xbox one launch.

Nothing wrong with the naming, you just did not understand, it is ok.

[S2Killinit]

Its less than xbox one did

[Neonridr]

I'm shocked the Xbox would sell that much to be honest. Color me surprised.

[S2Killinit]

Its the launch. It actually did worst than the xbox one did.

[DeadManMMX]

They both did worst because they sold all of their units

[oof46]

You're painting it wrong. They sold thru. I'm sure there were plenty left over Xbox Ones after it launched.

[S2Killinit]

During the launch they always sell through. Even xbox one sold out

[oof46]

@S2Killinit: Yes, but MS did a worldwide launch while Sony did a staggered one. Hence MS had less consoles to go around. Also, we all know Japan is their weakest market. We're in a global pandemic, so the fact that both companies were able to ship out what they did is amazing.

[Neonridr]

really? That's even more surprising.

[S2Killinit]

@Oof
This is concerning 4 days of PS5 and 6 days of xbox series s|x. And yes im sure they would sell more if they had more, the same goes for PS5. But are you claiming that there is equal demand for them? I hope not.

[oof46]

@S2Killinit: Of course not. That would be preposterous. This is Sony's home turf and MS's worst market. But they did sell thru and customers also have to go thru the lottery system to hope to get one. And to answer you're other point, no. The Xbox One didn't sell out at launch in Japan. It was abysmal. https://kotaku.com/japans-x...

My point is, the title is misleading and all the fanboys are eating it up.

[Bender6502]

I can't imagine a time when MS will outsell Sony in Japan,at least not in single box console sales. Then again, Sony doesn't compete with Nintendo in Japan, so there you have it. Japan. It is what it is.

[JEECE]

So X/S already outsold Xbox One lifetime in Japan?

[Nyxus]

According to Famitsu Xbox One sold 23.562 units in its first four days.

[Relientk77]

Haha good one

[S2Killinit]

It did less than xbox one did in 4 days. So no.

[DJStotty]

118,000 PS5 consoles - but the best selling game only sold 18,640?

Does that mean 100,000 owners bought no games with it?

Also looks like the Series X and S are doing well in Japan :-

Seeing as though the Xbox One X only sold around 1,639 units in its 1st week at launch in Japan.

The Series X and S have already surpassed 20,000 in the same timeframe.

"Pre-orders for Xbox Series X and S opened at midnight Japan time, and the more expensive Series X model sold out in less than 20 minutes on Amazon Japan. An hour later, the Series S was also sold out at the retailer."

So the full allocation of Xbox was sold out in 1hr 20mins at Amazon Japan.

[SullysCigar]

I'm seeing the Xbox One sold 23,562 in week one in Japan, which would be a good chunk more than the 2 consoles MS just released there for this gen. Of course, they may have been held back by supply constraints or MS not anticipating the demand accurately.

Good to see they sold out quickly though on the initial allocation.

[DJStotty]

That is why i said "ONE X", either way, it is selling better than both in Japan.

[SullysCigar]

Lmao - why compare a new gen to a refresh? Oh wait, I know why...

Xbox One 23,562 in 4 days
Series X AND Series S 20,534 in 6 days

X1 ~5,891 a day
XSS & XSX ~3,422 a day

Xbox One sold 72% MORE than the 2 new consoles XSS & XSX in Japan over an equivalent timeframe. I've acknowledged the possibility of supply constraints, but your repeated assertion that they've sold better this time around is straight BS.

What makes it worse is your words "A boatload better" - just nope lol

[Chevalier]

The One X wasn't a 'new' system just a midgen upgrade. The Series S and X sold LESS than the Xbox One launch. So stop with the stretching here you might pull your Xbox muscles.

[oof46]

They sold through all available stock. You make it sound like there were Series S and X's lying around, unbought in stores like the Xbox One launch.

[DJStotty]

@chevalier

They sold out of all stock, and sold 21,000 in 6 days.

Xbox One - 23,562 4 days (but did not sell out, consoles left on shelves)
Xbox One X - 1,639 7 days. (did not sell out, consoles left on shelves)

No stretching here at all, no need to get offended and have a knee jerk reaction to positive xbox statements.

If you want to cherry pick :-

"While it's an impressive start for Sony, there are a few details to bear in mind. Firstly, sales are far lower than they were for the PS4, which shifted more than 300,000 units during its Japanese launch week in 2013"

So in reality, the PS5 has outsold the Series S/X, but sales are down compared to their last console launch, whereas Microsoft sales are expected to be higher, compared to their Xbox One launch.

So who is the one that is going to pull a muscle trying to defend and deflect that?

[Knushwood Butt]

Scalpers don't buy games.

[oof46]

"118,000 PS5 consoles - but the best selling game only sold 18,640?"

These are only physical sales. Expect digital to be higher.

[purple101]

Plus japs love astrobot

[SmokinAces]

No it means 100,000 owners bought something other than the best selling game, not that it matters in the context of what we're talking about here.

[Chevalier]

"If you want to cherry pick :-"

Right back at you.

Yeah if you want to cherry pick the article also says sold out for PS5s also only available by lottery. So did you even read the article? 😆

Supply constraints go both ways. You argue about cherrypicking after YOU cherrypick.

"So who is the one that is going to pull a muscle trying to defend and deflect that?"

Based on comment history and the amount of posts in these threads? You by a country mile. Its not even a contest.

Notice EVERY Playstation comment has a negative twist and you cherrypicked the article and compare a midgen upgrade to make Xbox numbers look better? 😆 The stretch and deflect is amazing

[DJStotty]

No i simply stated the series s and x is selling a lot better than the xbox one X.

Every one else started on the defensive. My comment which made everyone react so harshly :-

"Also looks like the Series X and S are doing well in Japan :-

Seeing as though the Xbox One X only sold around 1,639 units in its 1st week at launch in Japan.

The Series X and S have already surpassed 20,000 in the same timeframe."

That was not cherry picking an article, that was making a prediction. I was not trying to make xbox numbers look better, simply saying xbox numbers are looking good in japan, if that upset's you and everyone else then i am truly sorry about that.

[Chevalier]

"Seeing as though the Xbox One X only sold around 1,639 units in its 1st week at launch in Japan."

Again you say your not cherrypicking, but, again WHY are you comparing a MIDGEN upgrade to a LAUNCH console? I don't see PS4 Pro numbers around here as a comparison do you?! If that's not you trying to prop up these numbers then I don't know what is.

Notice you bring up cherrypicking and say Xbox Series S and X are sold out implying the numbers can be better and then dump on PS5 then NEGLECT to mention that its also SOLD OUT and ONLY available by LOTTERY. So you know what excluding information for one system you include on the other? You could say its being selective. Wait there's a term for that.... oh yeah its called cherrypicking.

[waverider]

Doing well. Really. The amount of spin that some try to do is just crazy. I really cant understand the point.

[iplay1up2]

Can't buy a Series X. I have been trying.

[anast]

MS is getting killed

[S2Killinit]

6:1 ratio there in favor of PS5. I think it will landslide from this point on into an even bigger ratio.

[purple101]

Yep.. only the ultra hardcore goodbye an Xbox on launch I think ps5 has a longer appeal.

Speak with Gran Turismo 7. comming.

There's probably 10 million alone just waiting for that particular game before they buy.

[cell989]

Did MS boast and hyped up their Japan preorders selling out in less than an hour?? So 21000 units was the by hype?

[RGB]

Xbox sold worse this time with a budget console available too.
Phil even got Japanese devs on his side and got Next-Gen Yakuza timed exclusive for Xbox...

Sold worse than Xbox One launch week... Think it's time Xbox gave up on Japan, never going to happen guys!

[Deeeeznuuuts]

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[Benficaman]

i Will get mine tomorow. Portugal

[Exvalos]

Before anybody takes this as a W for Sony or a L for microsoft both are sold out. I'd wait to celebrate until both are readily available.

[Sitdown]

But even then that doesn't really work, companies would like to be #1, but understand they can still make bank being #2 or #3. The celebrating is more for those married to a company who wants their money.

[iamrperry]

I genuinely hope this isn’t a trend that continues from last gen.
as someone who has always owned a PC and a PlayStation, the competition that Xbox adds to the market is paramount for keeping the quality of games up. Fingers crossed for more balanced sales this gen.

[Ninjamonkey82]

My local GAME says there wont be new consoles in store respective Ps5 and series X till March, April 2021, looks like im in for a wait. More time to save for that 120htz TV i guess. But here in Belfast both PS5 and XSX sold out instantly with people who had paid preorders also missing out.

[Godmars290]

Really just shows how meaningless launch sales figures are. Yearly sales, sales six months later, are more telling.

[savedsynner]

AFAIK, both sold out, so these numbers dont really mean anything. Give it a year then compare sales.

[MADGameR]

I called it. I said SONY's PS5 would beat the Series console over 5 to 1 and this is just the US and UK alone. Imagine worldwide.

[agent13]

I like xbox but I love ps5

[VariantAEC]

"In Japan" should be in the title. The headline make this sound like the sales are WW.
Don't get me wrong I think PS will have sold more units with the US likely being the only possible Xbox led region even if their lead is slim.
That's crazy though. I wonder if Xbox sent less to Japan or just sold ridiculously fewer numbers?