Full Breakdown
PS5 Dominates Black Friday Sales in Europe and the US
12/7/2025, 1:45:06 AM
Surge in Console Sales During Black Friday
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) emerged as the leading console during the Black Friday sales week in both the UK and the US, capturing 62% of the console market share in the UK and 47% in the US. According to NielsenIQ data, overall console sales in the UK increased by 14% in revenue and 7% in unit sales compared to the previous year, largely driven by aggressive discounting on the PS5. The standard PS5 was priced 21% lower than two weeks prior, while the Digital version saw a 34% price reduction. The PS5 Pro also marked its best sales week since launch, priced at an all-time low of £586.
Game Sales Trends
In the European market, the top-selling game during the week ending November 30 was EA Sports FC 26, followed by Hogwarts Legacy, which experienced a notable sales boost. Hogwarts Legacy rose to the second position, displacing Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Battlefield 6, which fell to third and fourth places, respectively. The only title to see a decline in sales was Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, which had been released just three weeks prior. The European Top Ten unit sales included:
1. EA Sports FC 26 (EA)
2. Hogwarts Legacy (Warner Bros)
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (Activision)
4. Battlefield 6 (EA)
5. Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar)
Accessory Sales and Market Dynamics
While console sales thrived, accessory sales faced a downturn, with revenue dropping by 17% compared to Black Friday 2024. Notably, joypad sales decreased by 27%, and gaming headsets saw a decline of 28%. Despite this, VR headsets remained popular, with the Meta Quest 3S achieving its best sales week since launch at a new low price of £229.
Official Statements & Responses
Industry analysts attribute the PS5's success to strategic pricing and promotions. Mat Piscatella, a senior director at Circana, noted the PS5's dominance in the US market, where it accounted for nearly half of all console sales during the Black Friday week.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the overall positive sales figures for the PS5, some critics argue that the heavy discounting may indicate a need to boost sales amid increasing competition from other consoles, particularly the Nintendo Switch 2, which captured 24% of the US market share.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the PS5's sales figures are robust, discrepancies exist regarding the performance of other consoles. The Nintendo Switch 2's market share in the UK was reported at 23%, lower than previous weeks, while the Xbox Series S and X accounted for only 10% of the UK market during Black Friday.
Verbatim Quotes
“PlayStation 5 was the big winner of Black Friday 2025 in the UK, with the console taking 62% of the console market during the week.” — NielsenIQ Data Report
“PS5 had a 62% share of the console market during the week.” — NielsenIQ Data Report
“In fact, PS5 was the only console to do better this Black Friday than the previous one, with unit sales up 16% over the year before.” — NielsenIQ Data Report
This analysis highlights the significant impact of Black Friday on console and game sales, particularly for the PS5, while also noting the challenges faced by accessory sales and the competitive landscape of the gaming market.
