For the first time since launch, the Xbox Series X|S was the best-selling console in the UK for the month of January, beating both the PS5 and the Nintendo Switch. The Switch came in second, with a sales increase of 21% compared to the same month last year. The PS5 came in third as the console continued to be out of stock through most of the month. Overall consoles sales in the UK increased by 148% in January YoY (compared to last year), according to Charts specialist GfK.
It’s likely that the main reason behind the higher sales of the Series X|S consoles was the better supply for the month of January. Increased global demand for the PS5 during the launch months paired with improved Xbox supply was the primary driving factor behind Microsoft’s better performance in the UK.
As a result of the overall increase in hardware sales, the revenue from game consoles in the UK grew by a whopping 251% in January (YoY). Microsoft also held the top spot in the controller market, with the Xbox Wireless controller (Carbon Black) being the best-selling part, followed by the PS5 DualSense controller at #2 and the PS4 DualShock 4controller at #3. The fourth spot was claimed by Sony’s Pulse 3D Headset which rose 29 places to achieve this feat. More than 900K gaming accessories were sold in January (UK), an increase of 32% YoY, with the revenue for the same growing by 74%. The most popular items included headsets, mice, and chairs.
In terms of games themselves, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was once again the best-selling game of the month, followed by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and GTA V at #2 and #3, respectively. Nintendo continued to be the most popular publisher, accounting for more than half of all boxed games sold in January in the UK.
