UK Console Sales Experience 41% Surge in September

The UK gaming market witnessed a significant increase in console sales during September, driven by strong performances from Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch. According to data from GfK and GSD, 3.17 million games were sold, representing an 83% increase from August but a 6% decline compared to the same period in 2021. Physical game sales reached 957,000, while digital sales accounted for 2.2 million. FIFA 23, available for only a few days, dominated the market, accounting for over a third of all games sold. New releases such as NBA 2K23 and Splatoon 3 also performed well, with the former experiencing a 25% increase in sales compared to its predecessor. The console market saw a 41% surge in sales, with over 176,000 machines sold, led by the PS5, which remains the best-selling console with over two million players in the UK. The Xbox Series X and S saw a 104% jump in sales, while the Nintendo Switch enjoyed a 44% increase, driven by the launch of Splatoon 3. Year-to-date console sales, however, remain down 35.5% in the UK. The accessories market also experienced growth, with nearly 735,000 products sold, although this represents a decline of almost 8% compared to September 2021.