PS5 is just 1.2 million units behind PS4, launch aligned, but Sony expects to sell fewer consoles this year…
Also noteworthy that not only are PS5 sales behind PS4, but the PlayStation’s competition has almost entirely disappeared, and that hasn’t resulted in more PlayStations sold.
In case anyone misread the headline the way I did: The PS5 is selling about the same as the PS4 did at this point in its lifespan. The headline kind of makes it sound like the PS4 is still selling as many consoles as the PS5 today.
Honestly, I’m kind of surprised that it’s selling that well at all, considering how much of this generation has just been remasters of PS4 games.
It’s interesting to hear, honestly. And would be interesting to dive in if that’s related to age, culture, country etc… But a little too complicated for analyzing that here.
System based exclusives meaning you might not be able to play a game you want to in the future, expensive subscriptiona needed to play online, push to digital DRM controlled games… it’s almost like consoles killed themselves?
Well the alternative is PC gaming, and building a competitive PC aint cheap. I remember on launch people were building computers with similar performance to the xbone/ps4. But now that entry level dGPUs aren’t a thing, and even mid range GPUs are expensive you get fucked either way.
The PS5 is at least powerful on launch. The 4 was on par with like a regular APU.
A certified refurbished ps5 can be had right at this moment for $399, $450 new. I game on PC for many other reasons but the performance for value is pretty amazing on the ps5
Same, yeah I mean once you’re established the actual cost of games on steam is ludicrously small depending on your habits. I’m pretty much locked-in to pc gaming simply for the love of indie titles that more often than not do not get published to consoles. Lots of those games are just straight up free
We also have to consider the value the computer itself serves beyond just gaming. If you’re gonna get a $500 ps5 and you’re already going for an $800-$1200 computer, well hey. You could really get the best of both worlds without affecting the budget. Probably could even save money
But I think there’s also a big group that isn’t in that situation. I know plenty of people who rock like a chromebook and the cheapest xbox. Or people who only play like NBA 2k or something. Or people who play 1-2 big titles a year when they get caught in the hype train, and can enjoy them at 4k60fps for the much lower upfront cost
Personal anecdote. My PC cost me £900 in 2017. I haven’t upgraded it since. I have saved a significant amount of money in that time that would otherwise have been spent on PlayStation Plus for the benefit of playing multiplayer and the general higher price of games.
Even if you accept the argument that consoles are significantly cheaper in the first place, the point that PC ownership saves money in the long run is often overlooked.
I’ve never owned as many games for as little cost as I do now.
And the games that really demand the high-end hardware tend to be pretty rare in the grand scheme of things, not to mention less likely to be as good as the low spec games. I always joke with my friends that I might buy a killer new PC in the next year or so, but my most-played game will still be a 2D game from 2012 that absolutely doesn’t need it.
Why are people going for Bazzite for desktops? I’ve got it on a mini PC, and it’s great for the living room and travel, but even then the updater still keeps trying to apply an update from April 28th over and over again. Is it a good choice for desktop too? I’m on Kubuntu now but will probably shop around for a new distro with my next PC.
I think more and more people have done the math on what your break-even is with a PC up front compared to noncompetitive digital console storefronts, needless forced obsolescence, and subscription fees.
Entry can exceed the cost of the console but if you upgrade your existing one, especially using used gpus it is dirt cheap.
Now factor in:
pc games online stores are cheaper, there are more opportunities for good deals. Usually 5-10 eur off a game.
you are not an idiot who pays for the internet twice, 80 eur a year.
-pc game stores have better deals as console ones usually refuse to let the price down for a looong time since they have no competition
you are sonys bitch by owning a ps5 and you are not elegible for any refunds. Saving you tons of money since every pc game store lets you refund for any reason within a time window.
and even a pc double the cost of a ps5 will be cheaper very quickly. Consoles are designed to catch people with no long term thinking.
After Nintendo saw how much the Wii succeeded while effectively being a gamecube with motion controls and a DVD drive vs. two “top tier titans”, they never bothered again with being at the forefront of tech, which possibly felt like a homecoming, considering the Famicom was kinda underpowered at release, but cheap to produce.
This headline would imply that PS4 users are upgrading to PS5 at almost the same rate that they upgraded or moved to the PS4.
Honestly, it’s pretty surprising considering the PS4 is still kind of a current console. I’d think a lot of people would be satisfied staying with the PS4 and still getting most of the games that are coming out.
Yeah, the hardest thing is really going to be GTA6. The reason I bought a PS4 was GTA5. Needing to wait 2 years to play GTA6 on PC will be a tough thing to swing.
And this coming release will be the first time I’m not going to bother about a new Nintendo console going back to the original. For context, I even like the Virtual Boy. Nintendo has done everything possible to make themselves unlikable.
The best time to buy a console is just after its sequel is released, lots of people upgrading and selling their old one with all the games and controllers
This is the first console generation where I bought and sold a console before the next gen came along. I got one of those PS5 emails while they were still somewhat limited, and decided to jump on it like a dumbass. Two years later, sold it to recoup the cost of my Steam Deck. The only real exclusive it has that I played was the Demon’s Souls remake, and that just wasn’t enough to convince me to keep it around. Looks like the other exclusives I have missed out on since then is…(checks notes)…Astro Bot…and that’s it. Oh well.
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In case anyone misread the headline the way I did: The PS5 is selling about the same as the PS4 did at this point in its lifespan. The headline kind of makes it sound like the PS4 is still selling as many consoles as the PS5 today.
Honestly, I’m kind of surprised that it’s selling that well at all, considering how much of this generation has just been remasters of PS4 games.
Thats not misreading, thats them not being clear.
On purpose.
Thank you, yes. That’s a Bad headline.
I understood what it was saying. I don’t think it’s a bad headline.
It’s interesting to hear, honestly. And would be interesting to dive in if that’s related to age, culture, country etc… But a little too complicated for analyzing that here.
Yes, this means they sold a lot of PS5s, very surprising. The PS4 was extremely successful
This generation lacked must play games or technological breakthroughs. It was just kinda… there?
System based exclusives meaning you might not be able to play a game you want to in the future, expensive subscriptiona needed to play online, push to digital DRM controlled games… it’s almost like consoles killed themselves?
Well the alternative is PC gaming, and building a competitive PC aint cheap. I remember on launch people were building computers with similar performance to the xbone/ps4. But now that entry level dGPUs aren’t a thing, and even mid range GPUs are expensive you get fucked either way.
The PS5 is at least powerful on launch. The 4 was on par with like a regular APU.
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A certified refurbished ps5 can be had right at this moment for $399, $450 new. I game on PC for many other reasons but the performance for value is pretty amazing on the ps5
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Same, yeah I mean once you’re established the actual cost of games on steam is ludicrously small depending on your habits. I’m pretty much locked-in to pc gaming simply for the love of indie titles that more often than not do not get published to consoles. Lots of those games are just straight up free
We also have to consider the value the computer itself serves beyond just gaming. If you’re gonna get a $500 ps5 and you’re already going for an $800-$1200 computer, well hey. You could really get the best of both worlds without affecting the budget. Probably could even save money
But I think there’s also a big group that isn’t in that situation. I know plenty of people who rock like a chromebook and the cheapest xbox. Or people who only play like NBA 2k or something. Or people who play 1-2 big titles a year when they get caught in the hype train, and can enjoy them at 4k60fps for the much lower upfront cost
You can also buy a used PC or laptop or CPU/GPU/…, buying them new when you want good performance for value is nonsense.
Certainly, but we’d then have to compare with the used ps5 market, which dips well below $300.
Can a used pc or a build with used components be had with comparable performance to ps5? Even with a much larger budget of say, $800?
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Personal anecdote. My PC cost me £900 in 2017. I haven’t upgraded it since. I have saved a significant amount of money in that time that would otherwise have been spent on PlayStation Plus for the benefit of playing multiplayer and the general higher price of games.
Even if you accept the argument that consoles are significantly cheaper in the first place, the point that PC ownership saves money in the long run is often overlooked.
I’ve never owned as many games for as little cost as I do now.
And the games that really demand the high-end hardware tend to be pretty rare in the grand scheme of things, not to mention less likely to be as good as the low spec games. I always joke with my friends that I might buy a killer new PC in the next year or so, but my most-played game will still be a 2D game from 2012 that absolutely doesn’t need it.
deleted by creator
Why are people going for Bazzite for desktops? I’ve got it on a mini PC, and it’s great for the living room and travel, but even then the updater still keeps trying to apply an update from April 28th over and over again. Is it a good choice for desktop too? I’m on Kubuntu now but will probably shop around for a new distro with my next PC.
If you’re not too stuck on modern AAA titles, PC gaming is cheap. Possibly the cost of the electricity coming out of the wall.
I think more and more people have done the math on what your break-even is with a PC up front compared to noncompetitive digital console storefronts, needless forced obsolescence, and subscription fees.
Building a PC that can compete with current console IS cheap
Entry can exceed the cost of the console but if you upgrade your existing one, especially using used gpus it is dirt cheap.
Now factor in:
and even a pc double the cost of a ps5 will be cheaper very quickly. Consoles are designed to catch people with no long term thinking.
Mini pcs are a thing and they get better every year.
I haven’t payed to play online in years. Like mid PS4 life. Online only games don’t require a subscription.
Its not ps5, its ps4 pro pro. They’re the same console and Im tired of pretending otherwise.
This implies the PS5 pro is the PS4 pro pro pro
spoiler
safsafsafsafd
Man, imagine if the PS6 launches and it’s just PS4 & 5 ports and “”“upgrades”“” all over again
Switch ate them all while being 2 generations behind
After Nintendo saw how much the Wii succeeded while effectively being a gamecube with motion controls and a DVD drive vs. two “top tier titans”, they never bothered again with being at the forefront of tech, which possibly felt like a homecoming, considering the Famicom was kinda underpowered at release, but cheap to produce.
This is going to piss off some people, but I knew this generation was in trouble when HellDivers became big.
That game isn’t hot garbage, per se, but the fact that it got the success it did is a pretty damning indictment of the state of multiplayer shooters.
Im amazed its selling so well considering its pointless.
Does playstation still dominate international sales? I remember that being a thing for previous generations
According to this chart, yes, the PS5 is leading by roughly 40 million units compared to the current XSX
PS4 was when xbox users switched over to PlayStation.
PS5 was when PS4 users users switched back to the roots, a PC.
This headline would imply that PS4 users are upgrading to PS5 at almost the same rate that they upgraded or moved to the PS4.
Honestly, it’s pretty surprising considering the PS4 is still kind of a current console. I’d think a lot of people would be satisfied staying with the PS4 and still getting most of the games that are coming out.
It’s a growing market though.
Xbox one and X/S sales are neck in neck with xbox 360 sales too.
Wouldn’t that imply it’s not a growing market anymore?
Yes, if PC sales wouldn’t be growing
https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-04-14-gartner-says-worldwide-pc-shipments-increased-4-point-8-percent-in-first-quarter-of-2025?
Not ice the jump in 2020 when the PS5 released.
Yes, its a mature market. We are likely at a point where a new competitor or innovation focused incumbent takes a swing at a new tech.
This is true for me. I did not buy a ps5, but instead a PC. There are no games on ps5 that I want to play that I cannot play on PC.
And the more people do the same the less console exclusives there will be (outside of the Nintendo ecosystem)
Yeah, the hardest thing is really going to be GTA6. The reason I bought a PS4 was GTA5. Needing to wait 2 years to play GTA6 on PC will be a tough thing to swing.
Just remember that GTAV’s performance on PS3/Xbox360 is about how well GTAVI is likely going to run on PS5/Xbox Series X.
We’ve got a few years until the PC release as PS6 is coming.
And this coming release will be the first time I’m not going to bother about a new Nintendo console going back to the original. For context, I even like the Virtual Boy. Nintendo has done everything possible to make themselves unlikable.
True for me too, only I did buy a PS5, then a Steam Deck, then built a Linux gaming PC. I doubt I’ll ever go back to PS again, not after this gen.
A used ps4 is probably the best value in gaming right now. For ~$200 you can get the console and a bunch of games.
You can also jailbreak it, depending on the firmware version
I always said that about the PS2, or early model PS3s if you can get one for a reasonable price. Backwards compatibility galore.
A PS2 with FreeMCBoot is always a great option. If you can get a phat model and stick a HDD there, you’re golden
The best time to buy a console is just after its sequel is released, lots of people upgrading and selling their old one with all the games and controllers
This is the first console generation where I bought and sold a console before the next gen came along. I got one of those PS5 emails while they were still somewhat limited, and decided to jump on it like a dumbass. Two years later, sold it to recoup the cost of my Steam Deck. The only real exclusive it has that I played was the Demon’s Souls remake, and that just wasn’t enough to convince me to keep it around. Looks like the other exclusives I have missed out on since then is…(checks notes)…Astro Bot…and that’s it. Oh well.