Welcome to the May 2024 VGChartz estimates thread, which includes the dates from May 5 to June 1. The articles breaking down June 2024 estimates will be posted in this thread.

You can go to the front page of the site and use the drop down to see the different weekly sales.

Worldwide estimates for May 2024

Link to the VGChartz article here.

PS5 Best-Seller, Switch Tops 140M Lifetime - Worldwide Hardware Estimates for May 2024

The PlayStation 5 was the best-selling console worldwide with 813,907 units sold for May 2024, according to VGChartz estimates. The PlayStation 5 has now sold an estimated 58.78 million units lifetime worldwide.

The Nintendo Switch sold an estimated 592,532 units to bring its lifetime sales to 140.45 million units. The Xbox Series X|S sold 233,149 units to bring their lifetime sales to 28.74 million units. The PlayStation 4 sold an estimated 4,237 units to bring its lifetime sales to 117.18 million units.

PS5 sales compared to the same month for the PS4 in 2017 are down by nearly 311,000 units, while the Xbox Series X|S compared to the same month for the Xbox One are down by nearly 86,000 units. PS4 sold 1,124,866 units for the month of May 2017 and Xbox One sales were at 318,867 units.

PlayStation 5 sales compared to the same month a year ago are down by 180,730 (-18.2%). Xbox Series X|S sales are down by 96,618 units (-29.3%) and Nintendo Switch sales are down by 870,547 units (-59.5%). The PlayStation 4 is down by 12,871 units (-75.2%) year-over-year. 

Looking at sales month-on-month, PlayStation 5 sales are down by over 11,000 units, Xbox Series X|S sales are up by over 25,000 units, and Nintendo Switch sales are down by over 35,000 units.

2024 year-to-date, the PlayStation 5 has sold an estimated 5.97 million units, the Nintendo Switch has sold 3.72 million units, and the Xbox Series X|S has sold 1.52 million units.

Check out the breakdown of the Americas sales here, the Europe sales here, and the Japan sales here.

Monthly Sales:

Global hardware estimates for May 2024 (Followed by lifetime sales):

1. PlayStation 5 - 813,907 (58,776,134)
2. Switch - 592,532 (140,454,214)
3. Xbox Series X|S - 233,149 (28,740,390)
4. PlayStation 4 - 4,237 (117,176,217)

Weekly Sales:

Global May 11, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 202,721
2. Switch - 150,156
   
3. Xbox Series X|S - 55,647
4. PlayStation 4 - 1,261

Global May 18, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 189,127
2. Switch - 142,891
   
3. Xbox Series X|S - 55,144
4. PlayStation 4 - 833

Global May 25, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 197,609
2. Switch - 151,304
   
3. Xbox Series X|S - 59,645
4. PlayStation 4 - 877

Global June 1, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 224,450
2. Switch - 148,181
   
3. Xbox Series X|S - 62,713
4. PlayStation 4 - 1,266

Americas estimates for May 2024

Link to the VGChartz article here.

PS5 Best-Seller, XS Sales Up Compared to April - Americas Hardware Estimates for May 2024

The PlayStation 5 was the best-selling console in the Americas (USA, Canada, & Latin America) with 289,885 units sold for May 2024, according to VGChartz estimates. The PlayStation 5 has now sold an estimated 24.31 million units lifetime in the Americas.

The Nintendo Switch was the second best-selling console with an estimated 136,494 units sold to bring lifetime sales to 53.43 million units. The Xbox Series X|S came in third place with 131,095 units sold to bring its lifetime sales to 17.36 million units. The PlayStation 4 sold an estimated 918 units to bring its lifetime sales to 41.54 million units.

PS5 sales compared to the same month for the PS4 in 2017 are up by nearly 6,000 units, while the Xbox Series X|S compared to the same month for the Xbox One are down by nearly 36,000 units. PS4 sold 284,105 units for the month of May 2017 and Xbox One sales were at 166,783 units.

PlayStation 5 sales compared to the same month a year ago are down by 33,536 (-10.4%). Xbox Series X|S sales are down by 45,809 units (-25.9%) and Nintendo Switch sales are down by 398,515 units (-85.8%). The PlayStation 4 is down by 5,550 units (-85.8%) year-over-year.

Looking at sales month-on-month, PlayStation 5 sales are down by over 16,000 units, Xbox Series X|S sales are up by over 9,000 units, and Nintendo Switch sales are down by over 12,000 units.

2024 year-to-date, the PlayStation 5 has sold an estimated 2.26 million units, the Nintendo Switch has sold 1.19 million units, and the Xbox Series X|S has sold 1.02 million units.

Monthly Sales:

Americas hardware estimates for May 2024 (Followed by lifetime sales):

1. PlayStation 5 - 289,885 (24,306,640)
2. Switch - 136,494 (53,433,501)
3. Xbox Series X|S - 131,095 (17,357,526)
4. PlayStation 4 - 918 (41,540,656)

USA hardware estimates for May 2024:

1. PlayStation 5 - 244,125
   
2. Switch - 115,014
3. Xbox Series X|S - 110,063
   
4. PlayStation 4 - 785

Weekly Sales:

May 11, 2024 hardware estimates:

Americas:

1. PlayStation 5 - 72,085
2. Switch - 33,188
3. Xbox Series X|S - 30,568
   
4. PlayStation 4 - 233

USA:

1. PlayStation 5 - 60,723
   
2. Switch - 27,946
3. Xbox Series X|S - 25,612
   
4. PlayStation 4 - 199

May 18, 2024 hardware estimates:

Americas:

1. PlayStation 5 - 65,122
2. Switch - 33,711
3. Xbox Series X|S - 31,852
   
4. PlayStation 4 - 231

USA:

1. PlayStation 5 - 54,781
   
2. Switch - 28,385
3. Xbox Series X|S - 26,786
4. PlayStation 4 - 197

May 25, 2024 hardware estimates:

Americas:

1. PlayStation 5 - 63,825
2. Xbox Series X|S - 34,856
   
3. Switch - 34,165
4. PlayStation 4 - 228

USA:

1. PlayStation 5 - 53,789
2. Xbox Series X|S - 29,241
3. Switch - 28,796
   
4. PlayStation 4 - 195

June 1, 2024 hardware estimates:

Americas:

1. PlayStation 5 - 88,853
2. Switch - 35,430
3. Xbox Series X|S - 33,819
   
4. PlayStation 4 - 226

USA:

1. PlayStation 5 - 67,651
2. Switch - 27,983
3. Xbox Series X|S - 25,517
   
4. PlayStation 4 - 194

Europe estimates for May 2024

Link to the VGChartz article here.

PS5 Dominates, Sales Drop for All Consoles - Europe Hardware Estimates for May 2024

The PlayStation 5 was the best-selling console in Europe with 300,126 units sold for May 2024, according to VGChartz estimates. The PlayStation 5 has now sold an estimated 19.34 million units lifetime in Europe.

The Nintendo Switch sold an estimated 158,473 units to bring its lifetime sales to 36.06 million units. The Xbox Series X|S sold 68,592 units to bring their lifetime sales to 7.71 million units. The PlayStation 4 sold an estimated 2,618 units to bring its lifetime sales to 45.85 million units.

PS5 sales compared to the same month for the PS4 in 2017 are down by nearly 194,000 units, while the Xbox Series X|S compared to the same month for the Xbox One are down by over 35,000 units. PS4 sold 494,061 units for the month of May 2017 and Xbox One sales were at 103,940 units.

PlayStation 5 sales compared to the same month a year ago are down by 32,049 (-9.7%). Xbox Series X|S sales are down by 49,961 units (-42.1%) and Nintendo Switch sales are down by 215,885 units (-57.7%). The PlayStation 4 is down by 2,154 units (-45.1%) year-over-year.

Looking at sales month-on-month, PlayStation 5 sales are up by over 38,000 units, Xbox Series X|S sales are up by over 15,000 units, and Nintendo Switch sales are by over 19,000 units.

2024 year-to-date, the PlayStation 5 has sold an estimated 1.87 million units, the Nintendo Switch has sold 0.86 million units, and the Xbox Series X|S has sold 0.36 million units.

Monthly Sales:

Europe hardware estimates for May 2024 (Followed by lifetime sales):

1. PlayStation 5 - 300,126 (19,337,718)
2. Switch - 158,473 (36,064,811)
3. Xbox Series X|S - 68,592 (7,709,986)
4. PlayStation 4 - 2,618 (45,853,782)

Weekly Sales:

Europe May 11, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 72,187
2. Switch - 39,015
   
3. Xbox Series X|S - 15,610
4. PlayStation 4 - 883

Europe May 18, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 73,112
2. Switch - 38,362
   
3. Xbox Series X|S - 15,666
4. PlayStation 4 - 490

Europe May 25, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 77,299
2. Switch - 40,263
   
3. Xbox Series X|S - 17,324
4. PlayStation 4 - 447

Europe June 1, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 77,528
2. Switch - 40,833
   
3. Xbox Series X|S - 19,992
4. PlayStation 4 - 798

Japan estimates for May 2024

Link to the VGChartz article here.

NS Tops 33M Lifetime - Japan Hardware Estimates for May 2024

The Nintendo Switch was the best-selling console in Japan with 184,846 units sold for May 2024, according to VGChartz estimates. The Nintendo Switch has now sold an estimated 33.05 million units lifetime in Japan.

The Nintendo Switch has outsold the lifetime sales of the Nintendo DS to become the best-selling video game platform of all-time in Japan. 

The PlayStation 5 sold an estimated 85,033 units to bring its lifetime sales to 5.66 million units. The Xbox Series X|S sold 12,388 units to bring their lifetime sales to 0.60 million units. The PlayStation 4 sold an estimated 454 units to bring its lifetime sales to 9.68 million units.

PS5 sales compared to the same month for the PS4 in 2017 are up over 3,000 units, while the Xbox Series X|S compared to the same month for the Xbox One are up by over 11,000 units. PS4 sold 81,769 units for the month of May 2017 and Xbox One sales were at 954 units.

Nintendo Switch sales compared to the same month a year ago are down by 160,143 units (-46.4%). PlayStation 5 sales are down by 85,745 (-50.2%) and Xbox Series X|S sales are up by 11,084 units (850.0%). The PlayStation 4 is down by 3,187 units (-87.5%) year-over-year.

Looking at sales month-on-month, Nintendo Switch sales are down by nearly 51,000 units, the PlayStation 5 sales are down by nearly 7,000 units, and Xbox Series X|S sales are up by nearly 2,000 units.

2024 year-to-date, the Nintendo Switch has sold an estimated 1.21 million units, the PlayStation 5 has sold 0.70 million units, and the Xbox Series X|S has sold 0.05 million units.

Monthly Sales:

Japan hardware estimates for May 2024 (Followed by lifetime sales):

1. Switch - 184,846 (33,049,895)
2. PlayStation 5 - 85,033 (5,663,047)
3. Xbox Series X|S - 12,388 (598,035)
4. PlayStation 4 - 454 (9,677,083)

Weekly Sales:

Japan May 11, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. Switch - 47,078
2. PlayStation 5 - 21,527
   
3. Xbox Series X|S - 4,456
4. PlayStation 4 - 83

Japan May 18, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. Switch - 40,718
2. PlayStation 5 - 17,574
3. Xbox Series X|S - 2,573
4. PlayStation 4 - 55

Japan May 25, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. Switch - 48,047
2. PlayStation 5 - 23,376
3. Xbox Series X|S - 2,104
4. PlayStation 4 - 135

Japan June 1, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. Switch - 49,003
2. PlayStation 5 - 22,556
3. Xbox Series X|S - 3,255
4. PlayStation 4 - 181

Link to the VGChartz article here.

Nintendo Switch is the Best-Selling Console of All-Time in Japan

The Nintendo Switch has outsold the lifetime sales of the Nintendo DS in Japan to become the best-selling video game platform of all-time in the country, according to VGChartz estimates. 

The Switch sold an estimated 184,846 units in in May 2024 to bring its lifetime sales to 33.05 million units in Japan. This compares to the Nintendo DS with sales of 32.99 million units lifetime in Japan. The figure for the Switch includes the combined sales of the original Switch model, the Switch Lite, and Switch OLED.

Worldwide the Nintendo Switch is the third best-selling video game platform of all-time. Next up is the Nintendo DS with 154.02 million units sold lifetime worldwide.

Shipment figures for the Nintendo Switch reached 141.32 million units as of March 31, 2023, while 1,235.82 million Switch games had been shipped lifetime.

Here is a list of the top 10 best-selling Nintendo Switch games, according to Nintendo's shipment figures through March 31, 2024:

1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 61.97 million
2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 45.36 million
3. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 34.22 million
4. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 31.85 million
5. Super Mario Odyssey – 27.96 million
6. Pokemon Sword / Pokemon Shield – 26.27 million
7. Pokemon Scarlet / Pokemon Violet – 24.92 million
8. Super Mario Party – 20.66 million
9. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – 20.61 million
10. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe – 17.45 million

We've had to wait over 7 years for this to happen, but Switch is now starting to break the "big" records. Best seller of all time in Japan is big record. Best seller of all time in US or in the Americas would be another big one. And of course, best selling system worldwide is the one we are all watching the most.

Congrats to the Switch!

Link to the VGChartz article here.

PS5 vs Xbox Series X|S vs Switch 2024 Japan Sales Comparison Charts Through May

Here we see data representing the sales through to consumers and change in sales performance of the three current platforms (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch) and two legacy platforms (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) over comparable periods for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Also shown is the market share for each of the consoles over the same periods.

Year to Date Sales Comparison (Same Periods Covered)

Market Share (Same Periods Covered)

2021 – (January 2021 to May 2021)

2022 – (January 2022 to May 2022)

2023 – (January 2023 to May 2023)

2024 – (January 2024 to May 2024)

"Year to date" sales for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 sales are shown in series at the top of the table and then just below a comparison of 2024 versus 2023 and 2024 versus 2022 is displayed.  This provides an easy-to-view summary of all the data.

Total Sales and Market Share for Each Year

Microsoft

• Xbox Series X|S
• 54,375 units sold year-to-date
• Up year-on-year 14,922 units (+37.8%)

Nintendo

• Nintendo Switch
• 1.21 million units sold year-to-date
• Down year-on-year 234,246 units (-16.2%)

Sony

• PlayStation 5
• 0.70 million units sold year-to-date
• Down year-on-year 476,663 units (-40.2%)
• PlayStation 4
• 10,961 units sold year-to-date
• Down year-on-year 16,597 (-60.2%)

Note: VGChartz 2024 estimates through May includes 22 weeks, while 2023, 2022, and 2021 estimates includes 21 weeks.

Europe estimates for May 2024

Link to the VGChartz article here.

PS5 Dominates, Sales Drop for All Consoles - Europe Hardware Estimates for May 2024

The PlayStation 5 was the best-selling console in Europe with 300,126 units sold for May 2024, according to VGChartz estimates. The PlayStation 5 has now sold an estimated 19.34 million units lifetime in Europe.

The Nintendo Switch sold an estimated 158,473 units to bring its lifetime sales to 36.06 million units. The Xbox Series X|S sold 68,592 units to bring their lifetime sales to 7.71 million units. The PlayStation 4 sold an estimated 2,618 units to bring its lifetime sales to 45.85 million units.

PS5 sales compared to the same month for the PS4 in 2017 are down by nearly 194,000 units, while the Xbox Series X|S compared to the same month for the Xbox One are down by over 35,000 units. PS4 sold 494,061 units for the month of May 2017 and Xbox One sales were at 103,940 units.

PlayStation 5 sales compared to the same month a year ago are down by 32,049 (-9.7%). Xbox Series X|S sales are down by 49,961 units (-42.1%) and Nintendo Switch sales are down by 215,885 units (-57.7%). The PlayStation 4 is down by 2,154 units (-45.1%) year-over-year.

Looking at sales month-on-month, PlayStation 5 sales are up by over 38,000 units, Xbox Series X|S sales are up by over 15,000 units, and Nintendo Switch sales are by over 19,000 units.

2024 year-to-date, the PlayStation 5 has sold an estimated 1.87 million units, the Nintendo Switch has sold 0.86 million units, and the Xbox Series X|S has sold 0.36 million units.

Monthly Sales:

Europe hardware estimates for May 2024 (Followed by lifetime sales):

1. PlayStation 5 - 300,126 (19,337,718)
2. Switch - 158,473 (36,064,811)
3. Xbox Series X|S - 68,592 (7,709,986)
4. PlayStation 4 - 2,618 (45,853,782)

Weekly Sales:

Europe May 11, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 72,187
2. Switch - 39,015
   
3. Xbox Series X|S - 15,610
4. PlayStation 4 - 883

Europe May 18, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 73,112
2. Switch - 38,362
   
3. Xbox Series X|S - 15,666
4. PlayStation 4 - 490

Europe May 25, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 77,299
2. Switch - 40,263
   
3. Xbox Series X|S - 17,324
4. PlayStation 4 - 447

Europe June 1, 2024 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 77,528
2. Switch - 40,833
   
3. Xbox Series X|S - 19,992
4. PlayStation 4 - 798

Link to the VGChartz article here.

PS5 vs Xbox Series X|S vs Switch 2024 Europe Sales Comparison Charts Through May

Here we see data representing the sales through to consumers and change in sales performance of the three current platforms (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch) and two legacy platforms (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) over comparable periods for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Also shown is the market share for each of the consoles over the same periods.

Year to Date Sales Comparison (Same Periods Covered)

Market Share (Same Periods Covered)

2021 – (January 2021 to May 2021)

2022 – (January 2022 to May 2022)

2023 – (January 2023 to May 2023)

2024 – (January 2024 to May 2024)

"Year to date" sales for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 sales are shown in series at the top of the table and then just below a comparison of 2024 versus 2023 and 2024 versus 2022 is displayed.  This provides an easy-to-view summary of all the data.

Total Sales and Market Share for Each Year

Microsoft

• Xbox Series X|S
• 360,701 units sold year-to-date
• Down year-on-year 223,152 units (-38.2%)

Nintendo

• Nintendo Switch
• 0.86 million units sold year-to-date
• Down year-on-year 676,787 units (-44.1%)

Sony

• PlayStation 5
• 01.87 million units sold year-to-date
• Down year-on-year 295,877 units (-13.7%)
• PlayStation 4
• 8,992 units sold year-to-date
• Down year-on-year 15,408 (-63.1%)

Note: VGChartz 2024 estimates through May includes 22 weeks, while 2023, 2022, and 2021 estimates includes 21 weeks.

With May Circana (NPD) 2024 delayed to July 8 that means the rest of our May estimates won't be out until July 8 and 9 with Americas posting on July 8 and worldwide on July 9.

Why does Circana take so long to collect data? Europe's info are released much earlier

Circana'a Mat Piscatella said "For those interested, we're moving a significant number of products into video games from other industries that is requiring a full refresh back to 1995. Lot o' data. And with the US holiday next week we're therefore shifting the next public release to July 8th."

So that is why May is delayed as much as it is. This also means June data will be posted a little over 2 weeks later if that doesn't get delayed.