New figures from market research firm Finbold show Sony’s PlayStation 5 (PS5) leading the global console market in 2025, with sales significantly outpacing its competitors in the first four months of the year.

Between January 1st and April 25th, the PS5 averaged an impressive 28,508 units sold per day, reaching an estimated 3.25 million units shipped worldwide.

These numbers place Sony firmly at the top of the current console generation, despite a broader slowdown in sales compared to previous years.

Microsoft’s Xbox Series X|S, by contrast, continues to underperform.

It sold just 730,000 units during the same period — a daily average of 6,403 — trailing the PS5 by a striking margin of nearly 400%.

Industry observers point to a persistent lack of exclusive titles and ongoing technical challenges that have deterred developers and consumers alike.

Meanwhile, Nintendo has delivered a surprise performance.

Its aging Switch console, first launched in 2017 and not part of the current ninth generation, claimed second place in the rankings with 1.63 million units sold — or 14,298 per day.

This figure is particularly noteworthy as the Switch approaches the end of its product lifecycle, with the long-anticipated Switch 2 scheduled to launch in Q2 2025.

Speaking to the Switch’s unexpected resilience, Finbold’s Andreja Stojanovic noted, “Despite taking second place in overall sales, the Nintendo Switch’s performance is remarkable given its age.

“Outpacing the much newer Xbox Series X|S is no small feat and underscores the strength of Nintendo’s brand and software ecosystem.”

However, the broader trend points to a cooling market.

Both Sony and Microsoft fell short of their historical quarterly averages.

PS5 shipments missed their 4.1 million benchmark by nearly a million units, while Xbox Series X|S fell more than a million units short of its 1.8 million quarterly average.

These figures raise questions about whether the current generation of consoles is already entering its twilight years.

For Irish retailers and industry watchers, the data reinforces the importance of product ecosystem, software support, and timing.

As the market begins to transition to its next phase — with Nintendo leading the way — consumer expectations and loyalty are proving to be key differentiators in an increasingly competitive landscape.