Sony Celebrates: PlayStation 5 Exceeds 50 Million Sales, Setting New Records

Sony proudly announces that its cutting-edge gaming console, the PlayStation 5 (PS5), has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 50 million units in sales. This accomplishment highlights the PS5’s enduring popularity, overcoming initial challenges during its November 2020 launch amidst the global Covid-19 pandemic and chip shortages.

The flagship console has reached the 50-million-unit mark in a timeframe similar to its predecessor, the PS4, showcasing consistent “strong momentum” throughout 2023. Jim Ryan, President, and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, expresses excitement about meeting the demand for PS5 consoles during the upcoming holiday season.

A gaming industry leader since the debut of the first PlayStation in 1994, Sony maintains its dominance. The PS2 remains the best-selling console with over 155 million units sold, and the PS4 achieved impressive sales exceeding 117 million units.

Serkan Toto, CEO of Tokyo-based consultancy Kantan Games, describes the 50 million units sold as “impressive,” given the limited retail availability of the PS5 during half of its life cycle. Toto speculates that Sony is positioned to surpass the remarkable lifetime sales of the PS4.

The PS5’s success in 2023 is credited to a robust lineup of games, including the record-breaking “Marvel’s Spider-Man 2,” alongside hits like “Baldur’s Gate 3” and “Alan Wake 2.”

Sony’s triumph in the gaming sector unfolds amid an ongoing rivalry with Microsoft’s Xbox consoles. The PS5 continues to outpace its Xbox counterparts in estimated sales, while Microsoft strategically expands its market presence through substantial acquisitions, such as the $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard. Notably, Sony and Microsoft reached an agreement in July to ensure the continued release of “Call of Duty” on the PlayStation platform.