It is being reported that Sony's PlayStation 5 had the biggest launch of any console ever in the United Kingdom when it launched in November. Previously, it was reported that the PS5 outsold the Xbox Series X/S by almost double on launch day, and now it seems that Sony will be able to add another accolade to the new console's resume.
Since its launch, the console has been notoriously hard to even find due to widespread PlayStation 5 scalping and scamming. Additionally, players who have been able to buy a console have run into a variety of issues such as an annoying rest mode glitch, or their PS5 coming with a louder fan. It has been far from a perfect launch for the ninth-generation console but, in spite of this, it has still sold exceptionally well.
VGC reports that the PlayStation 5 surpassed the PlayStation 4's record 250,000 launch sales in the UK, breaking an all-time regional record for home console launches. It's also suggested that the Xbox Series X/S were "significantly" outsold by the PS5 by a margin of around 100,000 units total. However, the report also lets it be known that, "Sony Interactive Entertainment has so far not shared any sales figures for PlayStation 5," so it is hard to say for sure how many units the PS5 has sold at this time.
Whatever the actual numbers end up looking like, it is worth mentioning that available stock for the PlayStation 5 was hampered by a list of reasons, namely COVID-19 and the UK's new lockdown restrictions, but also the inability of Sony supply to match players' record-breaking orders around the world. Demand for the PS5 has been high since way before anyone knew what it even looked like, but the console's pandemic-era production hasn't been able to keep up.
While it is not known for sure how many units the PS5 sold exactly, the result is not surprising in the leas. Until official console sales data is released or otherwise obtained, everyone will have to settle for the bits and pieces of information that Sony decides to let out about the PlayStation 5's performance thus far.
Source: VGC