PS5 surpasses 80 million sales and consolidates its position as global leader

At the end of 2020, millions of gamers faced a crucial question: should they upgrade to PS5 or go for Xbox Series X/S? For Andrés, a lifelong gamer, the answer was clear the day he tried Demon's Souls Remake : the smooth experience, graphics, and loading speed made him feel like he'd entered another era. He wasn't alone: more than 80 million people have made the same decision .

Sony Interactive Entertainment 's latest financial reports reveal that the PlayStation 5 has reached 80.3 million units sold worldwide. This not only puts it well above its direct competitor, Xbox Series X/S, but also brings it dangerously close to the numbers of PS3 , which closed its cycle with 87.4 million .

However, the jewel in the crown remains the PS2 , with over 155 million consoles sold, a record that will probably never be reached.

PS5's success isn't limited to physical consoles. In the last fiscal year, software sales grew 12% compared to the previous period. This increase is largely due to:

• The launch of exclusive and high-impact third-party titles.
• PS Plus' continued growth , even after the price increase in 2025.

This business model demonstrates that Sony's strategy is not only to sell consoles, but also to strengthen its digital ecosystem .

Although Xbox is lagging in sales, the PS5's real competition is internal. Surpassing the PS3 is an achievable goal in the coming quarters, but matching the PS4 (117 million) will be a major challenge. Time is running out: the industry's gaze is already starting to turn toward the PS6 , and the window for breaking historical records is shortening.

The numbers may be stark, but behind them are stories like that of María, a gamer who waited two years for availability and finally found her PS5 in 2023. “I didn't just buy a console, I bought an experience,” she says. These experiences are replicated around the world and explain why, despite not breaking historical records, the PS5 maintains a solid and stable pace .

If PS5 wants to close its cycle with a bang, it needs:

• Maintain a steady stream of high-end exclusive games .
• Boost PS Plus and PlayStation Store with aggressive promotions.
• Expand its presence in emerging markets in Latin America and Asia.

The challenge isn't to dethrone PS2, but to consolidate a memorable generation that will leave its mark before the jump to PS6.

The PS5 is already one of the most successful consoles in modern history, with sales that put it far ahead of the competition. It may not be the best-selling console of all time, but it has won over millions of gamers around the world , and that, in the digital age, is worth a record.