Xbox Series X|S is lagging behind the competition

The next-generation of consoles, the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 were released in November 2020.

Since then, both consoles have been plagued by supply issues and scalpers buying up as much stock as they can.

But, even with all of that taken into consideration, the Xbox Series X|S is lagging behind by a lot.

Consoles Sales Chart

VGChartz released the latest hardware sales for April 18th-24th and it makes for some interesting reading.

Here are the full estimated charts.

Global hardware estimates (Followed by lifetime sales):

• Nintendo Switch - 468,130 (84,411,652)
• PlayStation 5 - 187,660 (7,944,584)
• Xbox Series X|S - 88,270 (4,750,658)
• PlayStation 4 - 38,784 (115,483,223)
• Xbox One - 16,774 (50,052,823)
• 3DS - 899 (75,931,185)

As it stands right now, the PlayStation 5 is outselling the Xbox Series X|S by around a 2:1 ratio.

While the numbers closer in the Americas, standing at 78,345 PS5 consoles sold vs 53,110 Xbox Series X|S consoles, the numbers get even further apart in Europe, and especially Asia.

In Europe, the sales figures stand at PlayStation 5 - 67,415 vs Xbox Series X|S - 25,182, while Asia sees an almost 6:1 ratio at PlayStation 5 - 36,961 vs Xbox Series X|S - 6,762.

Why Is The Xbox Series X|S Flopping?

The Xbox Series X|S isn't necessarily flopping, based on the last generation these sort of figures were kind of expected, but it is still disappointing to see.

While the sales figures of the PS4 and Xbox One were fairly close in the Americas, standing at 33,113,899 vs 28,273,312, it is the rest of the world where the gap really starts to widen.

Despite the Xbox 360 being hugely successful in Europe, the disastrous launch of the Xbox One in 2013 caused many Europeans to lose faith in the Xbox brand and move over the PlayStation, which led to a loss in popularity for Xbox that trickled down to new buyers in later years who purchased the PS4 as that was the go-to console for gamers.

In Japan, the Xbox has never faired well when competing with Nintendo and Sony.

There are many reasons for this, but one that is often said is that Nintendo and Sony are already established in the Asian market, and the companies are Japanese, whereas Microsoft is American.

It appears that there is simply no need for Xbox in Japan when Nintendo and Sony have been satisfying the needs of Japanese gamers for many years prior.

In February 2020, the Xbox One had sold just over 100,000 units in Japan, compared to the millions of Nintendo Switch and PS4 consoles sold.

Supply issues could also be playing in part in the figures too, although both companies are being hit hard.

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The lack of exclusives also doesn't help, while neither console has been particularly strong out of the gate, the PS5 has had some great exclusives such as Spider-Man Miles Morales, Returnal, Demon's Souls among others.

Whereas the Xbox Series X|S has pretty much just had The Medium, which despite being a good game, it is hardly a system seller.

Over the next year or two, we will see dozens of first and second party Xbox titles be released, strengthening the library and giving players more incentive to own an Xbox during this generation.

But until then, if you have the opportunity to upgrade to the next generation, the PS5 is much more appealing right now.

Perhaps the biggest issue is, there almost isn't a need for Xbox in the current landscape.

Microsoft has become all about the Xbox ecosystem, making their games as accessible as possible.

Almost every first and second party Xbox title, from Halo Infinite to Fable to Forza Motorsport 8, will be available on day one on both Xbox and PC via Xbox Game Pass.

Meaning, rather than spending £450 on a new Xbox Series X, you could either put that money towards a new PC, or upgrade your current one and get the benefit of day one games on Game Pass, as well as all of the other perks of being a PC gamer.

It is possible that Microsoft focused on the ecosystem due to them knowing the Series X would likely lose the "console war" this generation, but they could also be helping to further the gap.

But, the Xbox Series X|S is a fantastic console. If you are a PS5 owner or intend to be in the future, I would highly recommend at least buying the Xbox Series S to sit alongside it just to take advantage of Xbox Game Pass.

For one small monthly fee, players can gain access to around 400 titles, such as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, GTA V, a multitude of Final Fantasy games, as well as every first and second party Xbox game that is currently out now, or will be released in the future.