Xbox Series X|S sales lag behind predecessors in April 2024, Circana reports

Circana has released its latest monthly report on the US games market, revealing interesting insights into the performance of various video game consoles. In April 2024, US consumers spent $208 million on video game hardware, marking a 43% decline compared to the previous year. The decline affected all current-gen consoles, with Nintendo Switch sales plummeting by 69% from the same period in 2023. These figures are indicative of a significant shift in consumer preferences and purchasing behavior.

Despite the overall decline in hardware sales, PlayStation 5 maintained its position as the leader in both unit and dollar sales. The Nintendo Switch followed closely behind in unit sales, while Xbox Series X|S secured the second spot in dollar sales. This data reflects the ongoing competition among the major players in the video game console market and the varying levels of consumer demand for each platform.

Looking at the performance of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in comparison to their predecessors, Circana's Mat Piscatella noted some interesting trends. PlayStation 5 is currently ahead of PS4 by 8% in terms of US unit sales, showcasing its strong market presence. On the other hand, Xbox Series X|S lags behind Xbox One by 13% and remains slightly behind the Xbox 360. These comparisons shed light on the evolving landscape of the gaming industry and the challenges faced by newer console releases in capturing market share.