With the competition confused and $100 more expensive, Sony has managed to sell over 5.3 million PlayStation 4 (PS4) copies ever since the console launched in November last year. Out of all the next generation video games consoles launched since 2012 up to this point, the PlayStation 4 is the fastest selling console and is on track to surpass 10 million units by the end of 2014 if things continue the way they are.
Sony had expected to reach its goal of selling 5 million PlayStation 4 systems by the beginning of March, but the latest sales figure shows the company is well ahead of its target, and it is yet to launch the console in Japan.
Sony plans to launch PlayStation 4 in the Japanese market on Feb. 22, and with that launch, Sony could very well eclipse more than 6 million PlayStation 4 units sold by the end of March. That's bad news for Microsoft, as Xbox One is struggling to keep up, which may have a lot to do with the $500 price-tag, and the fact that for less, gamers can get a console that performs better when compared to the Xbox One.
"I am thrilled that so many customers around the globe have continued to select PS4 as the best place to play throughout and beyond the holiday season," said Sony Computer Entertainment boss Andrew House.
"We are delighted that according to the NPD Group's latest data, PS4 was January's top-selling console in the United States. The PS4 system's momentum just keeps growing stronger, and we are extremely grateful for the continued passion and support of PlayStation fans," House said.
In comparison to the PlayStation 4's 5.3 million sales, the Xbox One is not doing so well. It is estimated that Microsoft has so far only managed to sell 3.6 million Xbox One consoles, giving Sony an estimated 1.7 million units lead.
We expect the PlayStation 4 to catch up and overtake the Nintendo Wii U's life time sales in the coming months, since Nintendo only managed to sell 6 million Wii U units in 14 months on the market. This should be seen as a huge disappointment for the Mario factory, one the company might never come back from as long as it sticks with the current console.
