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PlayStation 5 Reaches 100 Million Units Sold Milestone
Sony has officially announced that the PlayStation 5 has hit the 100 million units shipped mark. This milestone arrives roughly six years after the console first launched in November 2020.
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Sony has officially announced that the PlayStation 5 has hit the 100 million units shipped mark. This milestone arrives roughly six years after the console first launched in November 2020. As reported by IGN, this figure represents “sell-in” data—meaning units shipped to retailers rather than direct sales to consumers—and includes an additional 2.1 million units moved in just the last 40 days.
How the PS5 Stacks Up
When looking at the history of the PlayStation family, the PS5 is in elite company. According to the data shared by IGN, the PS5 has already surpassed the lifetime totals of the PS3 (87.4 million) and the PSP (76.4 million). It is currently closing in on the original PlayStation’s 102.4 million units and remains on track to potentially challenge the PS4’s 117 million units. However, catching the legendary PS2, which sits at 160 million, remains a massive hurdle.
The Current Market Climate
Despite the 100 million milestone, the console market is facing unique challenges this generation. IGN notes that the PS5 is currently tracking about 5 million units behind the PS4 at a similar point in its lifecycle. Unlike previous generations where hardware prices typically dropped over time, current consoles have seen price increases due to industry-wide components issues, specifically what has been referred to as the “RAMpocalypse.”
Why it matters
For those of us gaming right now, this milestone acts as a massive signal for what’s ahead. The console market has been struggling with rising prices, so seeing the PS5 reach this scale despite that is a testament to the platform’s enduring popularity. With the massive release of GTA 6 on the horizon, Sony is clearly banking on that title to provide a significant boost to these numbers in the coming months.
While the 100 million number looks great on paper, it’s worth keeping an eye on how future hardware is priced. Reports mentioned by IGN suggest that future next-gen consoles could breach the $1,000 price point, which could fundamentally change who is able to hop on board for the next cycle. For now, the focus is squarely on the PS5’s continued momentum as it closes out its sixth year.
