Launched in November 2020, PlayStation 5 is one of the most powerful consoles on the market. Following on from its pre successor the PlayStation 4, it utilises the latest technologies to provide cutting edge features, from 4k support, to an unrivalled refresh rate and an impressive SD that enables game content to load within seconds. Not only this, it supports one of the widest level of games, with consumers being able to play anything from action games to classic casino games like poker.
While the gaming market is saturated with different kinds of consoles, there are a couple of key players in the field that compete for consumers. Some of the most popular consoles to compete with PlayStation include Nintendo Classic Mini, Nintendo and the streaming platform Stadia. Despite these, PlayStation 5 seems to be a top contender on the global market.
Below, we’ll take a look at why Playstation is so popular, in addition to other consoles that are currently competing with the console.
Is PlayStation winning the console war
According to the latest data, the most popular console of all time is PlayStation 2, with 159 million sales. The next in line consoles include Nintendo DS (154.02 million purchases) Nintendo Switch (125.62 million purchases), Game Boy/Game Boy Color (118.69 million purchases), and PlayStation 4 117.2 million purchases).
So, what makes an older console still so popular today? The PlayStation 2 hit the market in March 2000 and quickly became the most popular console of all time. What made it such a success was its low entry cost, in which sales of the console, games and accessories raked in $250 million on the first day, making it the bestselling consoles of all time.
But, how does PlayStation 5 compare? According to the latest data in 2023, PlayStation 5 has sold an estimated 0.83 million units. The Xbox has sold 0.22 million units in comparison. The digital edition of the PlayStation 5 comes in at a market value of $400, making it an expensive purchase for many consumers.
While the PlayStation may offer more up to date features, the nostalgia of buying an old console seems to be what is winning the hearts and minds of many consumers currently.
What does social media have to say on the console war?
If there’s one place where we can find out information on the latest consumer trends, it’s social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. According to a recent study, Sony takes the top spot for manufacturing brands when it comes to consoles, with PlayStation 4 coming in at first place. After that, Xbox One was the second most popular console, followed by PS5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, GameBoy, Wii U, PS2, and Xbox 360.
One of the reasons that the latest consoles haven’t been so popular is because of global supply chain shortages that are currently affecting production. As such, many people around the world are finding it easier to get their hands on consoles that are more readily available.
In addition, the supply chain shortage is only pushing up the price of the latest consoles, meaning gamers are turning to other means of playing their favourite games, including online casinos and popular game streaming services like Strada.
Critically acclaimed PlayStation titles
As we move into the era of the PS5, it seems that many are choosing to stay in the golden era of the PS4, in which there are some critically acclaimed titles that are just too good to miss. Let’s take a look at some of these below.
Dark Souls 3
The Dark Souls series has been named as one of the hardest but fairest games out there. Players can get involved in direct combat, becoming a powerful and dark souled creature as they battle it out in an arena.
Marvel’s Spider Man
There are a lot of Marvel fans across the globe, so naturally when PlayStation released a Marvel Spider Man game, it became one of the most popular PS4 games to ever be played. Players can experience what it feels like to be Spider Man as they swing around the streets of New York, battling the latest villains. The game follows the storyline of Spider Man’s adventures, however the world of the game itself leaves plenty for players to explore too.
Overall, there are a huge variety of gaming consoles on the market today, in which many players opt to invest in the latest technology, while others prefer the nostalgia of an older system. However, when it comes to the battle between consoles, the data is clear that PlayStation is the most popular console currently. Whether this will change in the coming years, we will have to wait and see.