Sony's PlayStation 4 has rocketed up to become the second-best-selling console of all time, according to Sony's most recent financial report. After shipping 102.8 million units, it has even surpassed the PlayStation 1, a console released over 20 years ago. Sales of the PS4 have even surpassed the Nintendo Wii, meaning that Sony has now manufactured the three best-selling home consoles of all time.
Currently, the Sony PlayStation 2 holds the top spot for most units sold, at over 155 million consoles. Eurogamer reported in late July that the PlayStation 4 hit 100 million units faster than any other console in history. It's doubtful the PS4 can overtake the PS2 before the PlayStation 5 releases next year. Despite the PlayStation 4's good sales, it's likely many consumers will save up for the new console and its launch titles in the coming months instead. Though little is known about the upcoming console, consumers can expect it to hit the market in the holiday season.
Though Nintendo's handhelds have consistently dominated the market, sales of the Nintendo Switch, released 2017, are lower than that of the PS4. The Switch, however, has proven to be far more successful than its predecessor, the Wii U. As for Microsoft and its 2013 Xbox One console, it trails just behind the Switch. Sony's lack of presence at this year's E3 conference appears to have done little to dampen sales of the console and its titles.
Quick Take
I'm gonna confess and say I haven't bought a new home console since the PS3 around 2007. The Blu-Ray drive is broken so I can't even play any physical discs in it. I'm still playing the PS2 to this day, though. So many diverse titles that have aged quite well. Perhaps that's why it's had so much success as a console?
