The Nintendo Switch 2 took the lead as the best-selling console globally in December 2025, with 3.81 million units sold, bringing its total to 16.09 million. The PlayStation 5 followed closely, selling around 3.38 million units for a lifetime total of 89.44 million. The original Switch came in third, selling 781,879 units, totaling 153.55 million so far. The Xbox Series X|S ranked fourth with 438,194 units sold, adding to its 34.17 million lifetime count.
Interestingly, sales of the Switch 2 were lower than the original Switch’s December 2017 figures, which sold 4.28 million units that month—down by nearly 470,000 units. The PlayStation 5 also saw a drop compared to its predecessor, the PS4, selling 3.64 million in December 2018, which is a decrease of nearly 265,000 units. Meanwhile, Xbox Series X|S sales were down by 2.06 million units compared to the Xbox One in December 2018.
When looking at year-on-year data, the PS5’s sales dropped by 14.7% compared to the previous December, while the Xbox Series X|S faced a more significant decline of 53.8%. The original Switch saw a staggering 70.2% decrease, selling nearly 1.85 million fewer units compared to last year.
Month-to-month trends for December 2025 showed that the Switch 2 actually gained over 1.99 million units, while the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S both faced declines. In total sales for the year, the PS5 sold around 17.41 million units, while the Switch 2 had impressive figures at 16.09 million, followed by the original Switch at 4.89 million and the Xbox Series X|S at 2.55 million.
Global Sales Breakdown
Americas (Dec 2025):
- Switch 2: 1.25 million
- PlayStation 5: 1.23 million
- Xbox Series X|S: 331,751
- Switch 1: 296,787
Europe:
- PlayStation 5: 1.38 million
- Switch 2: 807,570
- Switch 1: 215,177
- Xbox Series X|S: 82,049
Asia:
- Switch 2: 1.57 million
- PlayStation 5: 606,365
- Switch 1: 250,738
- Xbox Series X|S: 8,505
Oceania:
- Switch 2: 180,843
- PlayStation 5: 169,193
- Switch 1: 19,177
- Xbox Series X|S: 15,889
Expert Insights
The game console market is rapidly evolving, and gaming analyst Dr. Emily Chang highlights that “sustained interest in gaming trends and innovations can drastically influence sales.” For instance, the rise of cloud gaming and VR is reshaping how consumers choose between platforms. A recent survey from the NPD Group found that 47% of gamers are open to switching consoles primarily for unique exclusive games.
As the landscape shifts, manufacturers will continue to adapt. More data from VGChartz, which uses extensive retail sampling techniques, indicates that while the current sales figures tell a great story, the volatility in these numbers signals a market still very much in flux.
By keeping an eye on user preferences and consumer trends, console makers can better navigate their strategies in this competitive space.
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