Welcome to the April 2023 VGChartz estimates thread. The articles breaking down April 2023 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 Hardware Estimates for April 2023

Link to VGChartz article here.

PS5 Best-Selling Console, Zelda OLED Boosts Switch - Worldwide Hardware Estimates for April 2023

The PlayStation 5 was the best-selling console worldwide with 1,345,894 units sold for April 2023, according to VGChartz estimates. The PlayStation 5 has now sold an estimated 37.44 million units lifetime worldwide.

The Nintendo Switch sold an estimated 1,273,752 units to bring its lifetime sales to 125.06 million units. The Xbox Series X|S sold 372,859 units to bring their lifetime sales to 21.67 million units. The PlayStation 4 sold an estimated 12,972 units to bring its lifetime sales to 117.03 million units.

PS5 sales compared to the same month for the PS4 in 2016 are up by over 669,000 units, while the Xbox Series X|S compared to the same month for the Xbox One are up by nearly 60,000 units. PS4 sold 676,414 units for the month of April 2016 and Xbox One sales were at 313,059 units.

PlayStation 5 sales compared to the same month a year ago are up by 673,730 (100.2%). Nintendo Switch sales are up by 142,499 units (12.6%) and Xbox Series X|S sales are down by 134,647 units (-26.5%). The PlayStation 4 is down 18,065 units (-58.2%) year-over-year.

Looking at sales month-on-month, Nintendo Switch sales are up by nearly 189,000 units, PlayStation 5 sales are down by nearly 755,000 units, and Xbox Series X|S sales are down by over 182,000 units. It should be noted March is a five week month, while April is a four week month.

2023 year-to-date, the PlayStation 5 has sold an estimated 6.92 million units, the Nintendo Switch has sold 4.35 million units, and the Xbox Series X|S has sold 1.89 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 April 2023 (Followed by lifetime sales):

1. PlayStation 5 - 1,345,894 (37,439,537)
2. Switch - 1,273,752 (125,055,820)
3. Xbox Series X|S - 372,859 (21,669,400)
4. PlayStation 4 - 12,972 (117,033,518)

Weekly Sales:

Global April 8, 2023 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 333,916
2. Switch - 237,400
3. Xbox Series X|S - 89,464
4. PlayStation 4 - 3,360

Global April 15, 2023 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 331,542
2. Switch - 230,453
3. Xbox Series X|S - 86,535
4. PlayStation 4 - 3,557

Global April 22, 2023 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 321,685
2. Switch - 234,660
3. Xbox Series X|S - 92,585
4. PlayStation 4 - 2,822

Global April 29, 2023 hardware estimates:

1. Switch - 571,239
2. PlayStation 5 - 358,751
3. Xbox Series X|S - 104,275
4. PlayStation 4 - 3,233

VGChartz Methodology: Hardware estimates are based on retail sampling and trends in individual countries, which are then extrapolated to represent the wider region. This typically allows us to produce figures that end up being within 10% of the actual totals.

This data is regularly compared against official shipment figures released by the console manufacturers and figures estimated by regional trackers with greater market coverage than ourselves. We then update our own estimates to bring them into line with those figures. This can result in frequent changes often within a short space of time, but we feel it's important to prioritise accuracy over consistency.

Note that our estimates are based on sell-through data (units sold to consumers). In almost all cases the figures released by console manufacturers are based on shipment data (sell-in), where as soon as a device has left the factory and entered the supply chain for delivery it is considered a sale. This is why there is always a difference between the companies’ figures (sell-in) and VGChartz estimates (sell-through), even after we’ve made adjustments. The one exception to that is when a console has been discontinued and the remaining stock has finally sold out – at that point the figures will match.

Europe Hardware Estimates for April 2023

Link to VGChartz article here.

PS5 Best-Selling Console as Jump 121% - Europe Hardware Estimates for April 2023

The PlayStation 5 was the best-selling console in Europe with 439,299 units sold for April 2023, according to VGChartz estimates. The PlayStation 5 has now sold an estimated 11.38 million units lifetime in Europe.

The Nintendo Switch sold an estimated 331,947 units to bring its lifetime sales to 31.91 million units. The Xbox Series X|S sold 92,086 units to bring their lifetime sales to 5.83 million units. The PlayStation 4 sold an estimated 3,339 units to bring its lifetime sales to 45.84 million units.

PS5 sales compared to the same month for the PS4 in 2016 are up by nearly 131,000 units, while the Xbox Series X|S compared to the same month for the Xbox One are down by nearly 7,000 units. PS4 sold 308,697 units for the month of April 2016 and Xbox One sales were at 98,957 units.

PlayStation 5 sales compared to the same month a year ago are up by 240,514 (121.0%). Nintendo Switch sales are up by 70,274 units (26.9%) and Xbox Series X|S sales are up by 10,285 units (12.6%). The PlayStation 4 is down 3,427 units (-50.7%) year-over-year.

Looking at sales month-on-month, Nintendo Switch sales are up by over 58,000 units, PlayStation 5 sales are down by over 158,000 units, and Xbox Series X|S sales are down by over 41,000 units. It should be noted March is a five week month, while April is a four week month.

2023 year-to-date, the PlayStation 5 has sold an estimated 1.94 million units, the Nintendo Switch has sold 1.15 million units, and the Xbox Series X|S has sold 0.45 million units.

Monthly Sales:

Europe hardware estimates for April 2023 (Followed by lifetime sales):

1. PlayStation 5 - 439,299 (11,377,001)
2. Switch - 331,947 (31,910,049)
3. Xbox Series X|S - 92,086 (5,831,674)
4. PlayStation 4 - 3,339 (45,835,239)

Weekly Sales:

Europe April 8, 2023 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 105,200
2. Switch - 64,715
3. Xbox Series X|S - 20,806
4. PlayStation 4 - 815

Europe April 15, 2023 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 103,821
2. Switch - 65,132
3. Xbox Series X|S - 21,221
4. PlayStation 4 - 833

Europe April 22, 2023 hardware estimates:

1. PlayStation 5 - 108,060
2. Switch - 66,235
3. Xbox Series X|S - 23,152
4. PlayStation 4 - 851

Europe April 29, 2023 hardware estimates:

1. Switch - 135,865
2. PlayStation 5 - 122,218
3. Xbox Series X|S - 26,907
4. PlayStation 4 - 840

Americas Hardware Estimates for April 2023

Link to VGChartz article here.

Switch Best-Selling Console, PS5 and XS Sales Drop - Americas Hardware Estimates for April 2023

The Nintendo Switch was the best-selling console in the Americas (USA, Canada, & Latin America) with 461,632 units sold for April 2023, according to VGChartz estimates. The Nintendo Switch has now sold an estimated 48.34 million units lifetime in the Americas.

The Nintendo Switch – OLED Model - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition released at the end of April to help boost Switch sales for the month.

The PlayStation 5 sold an estimated 388,966 units to bring its lifetime sales to 16.49 million units. The Xbox Series X|S sold 247,486 units to bring their lifetime sales to 12.71 million units. The PlayStation 4 sold an estimated 2,772 units to bring its lifetime sales to 41.57 million units.

PS5 sales compared to the same month for the PS4 in 2016 are up by nearly 181,000 units, while the Xbox Series X|S compared to the same month for the Xbox One are up by over 61,000 units. PS4 sold 207,994 units for the month of April 2016 and Xbox One sales were at 186,111 units.

PlayStation 5 sales compared to the same month a year ago are up by 110,383 (39.6%). Nintendo Switch sales are up by 55,213 units (13.6%) and Xbox Series X|S sales are down by 82,302 units (-25.0%). The PlayStation 4 is down 13,763 units (-83.2%) year-over-year.

Looking at sales month-on-month, Nintendo Switch sales are up by over 65,000 units, PlayStation 5 sales are down by over 422,000 units, and Xbox Series X|S sales are down by nearly 120,000 units. It should be noted March is a five week month, while April is a four week month.

2023 year-to-date, the PlayStation 5 has sold an estimated 2.37 million units, the Nintendo Switch has sold 1.55 million units, and the Xbox Series X|S has sold 1.22 million units.

Monthly Sales:

Americas hardware estimates for April 2023 (Followed by lifetime sales):

1. Switch - 461,632 (48,340,781)
2. PlayStation 5 - 388,966 (16,487,081)
3. Xbox Series X|S - 247,486 (12,708,510)
4. PlayStation 4 - 2,772 (41,566,770)

USA hardware estimates for April 2023:

1. PlayStation 5 - 328,112
2. Switch - 390,107
3. Xbox Series X|S - 209,068
4. PlayStation 4 - 2,370

Weekly Sales:

April 8, 2023 hardware estimates:

Americas:

1. PlayStation 5 - 97,527
2. Switch - 82,141
3. Xbox Series X|S - 59,593
4. PlayStation 4 - 701

USA:

1. PlayStation 5 - 82,163
2. Switch - 69,623
3. Xbox Series X|S - 50,331
4. PlayStation 4 - 597

April 15, 2023 hardware estimates:

Americas:

1. PlayStation 5 - 93,858
2. Switch - 81,142
3. Xbox Series X|S - 58,229
4. PlayStation 4 - 696

USA:

1. PlayStation 5 - 79,236
2. Switch - 68,738
3. Xbox Series X|S - 49,135
4. PlayStation 4 - 594

April 22, 2023 hardware estimates:

Americas:

1. PlayStation 5 - 92,565
2. Switch - 80,188
3. Xbox Series X|S - 61,415
4. PlayStation 4 - 683

USA:

1. PlayStation 5 - 78,127
2. Switch - 67,987
3. Xbox Series X|S - 51,868
4. PlayStation 4 - 587

April 29, 2023 hardware estimates:

Americas:

1. Switch - 218,161
2. PlayStation 5 - 105,016
3. Xbox Series X|S - 68,249
   
4. PlayStation 4 - 692

USA:

1. Switch - 183,759
2. PlayStation 5 - 88,586
3. Xbox Series X|S - 57,734
   
4. PlayStation 4 - 592

Japan Hardware Estimates for April 2023

Link to VGChartz article here.

Switch Sales Top 29M, PS5 Sales Up 185% - Japan Hardware Estimates for April 2023

The Nintendo Switch was the best-selling console in Japan with 313,379 units sold for April 2023, according to VGChartz estimates. The Nintendo Switch has now sold an estimated 29.02 million units lifetime in Japan.

The PlayStation 5 sold an estimated 192,006 units to bring its lifetime sales to 3.43 million units. The PlayStation 4 sold an estimated 4,437 units to bring its lifetime sales to 9.62 million units. The Xbox Series X|S sold 2,496 units to bring their lifetime sales to 0.44 million units.

PS5 sales compared to the same month for the PS4 in 2016 are up by over 99,000 units, while the Xbox Series X|S compared to the same month for the Xbox One are up by nearly 2,000 units. PS4 sold 92,710 units for the month of April 2016 and Xbox One sales were at 517 units.

PlayStation 5 sales compared to the same month a year ago are up by 124,703 (185.3%). Nintendo Switch sales are up by 14,557 units (4.9%) and Xbox Series X|S sales are down by 21,275 units (-89.5%). The PlayStation 4 is up 4,348 units (4,885.4%) year-over-year.

Looking at sales month-on-month, Nintendo Switch sales are down by over 26,000 units, the PlayStation 5 sales are down by over 65,000 units, and Xbox Series X|S sales are down by nearly 3,000 units. It should be noted April has four weeks, while the previous month, March, had five weeks.

Monthly Sales:

Monthly Sales:

Japan hardware estimates for April 2023 (Followed by lifetime sales):

1. Switch - 313,379 (29,022,114)
2. PlayStation 5 - 192,006 (3,429,219)
3. PlayStation 4 - 4,437 (9,618,740)
4. Xbox Series X|S - 2,496 (440,614)

Weekly Sales:

Japan April 8, 2023 hardware estimates:

1. Switch - 52,518
2. PlayStation 5 - 46,214
3. PlayStation 4 - 1,203
4. Xbox Series X|S - 912

Japan April 15, 2023 hardware estimates:

1. Switch - 48,812
2. PlayStation 5 - 47,053
3. PlayStation 4 - 1,363
4. Xbox Series X|S - 292
   

Japan April 22, 2023 hardware estimates:

1. Switch - 51,812
2. PlayStation 5 - 41,763
3. PlayStation 4 - 794
4. Xbox Series X|S - 493

Japan April 29, 2023 hardware estimates:

1. Switch - 160,237
2. PlayStation 5 - 56,976
3. PlayStation 4 - 1,077
4. Xbox Series X|S - 799

trunkswd this month the ps5 still remains as the best selling console globally?

Heads up: Your Switch monthly sales seem over by about 100k. Your weekly totals don't add up to 300k.

The difference in Japan (Nintendo's strongest region) is rather small. I think Switch will probably end around the million mark this month and PS5 around 1.25 to 1.4 million. ToTK boost is in May. In which Switch has a shot to outsell PS5, if only barely.

True it's a bit north of 200k, perhaps he also counted the first week of May in which the PS5 was massively outsold by Switch due to the ToTK bundle. PS5 numbers also don't add up, should be around 175k where Switch is a bit north of 200k of we add up the numbers.

That is definitely the case. He counted the first week of May in Japan because two weeks were reported together.

I had made a typo with the weekly sales that I have now corrected. It should be right now. The monthly figures were correct. I didn't just split it 50/50 as the Zelda OLED would have pushed more consoles to be sold in the last week of April than first week of May. Plus, our estimates don't exactly match Famitsu. 

why your weekly sales don't match famitsu?

They've never matched Famitsu or Media Create when that data was posted publicly.