PS5 Leads Black Friday Console Sales in US and UK Markets

The PlayStation 5 has once again proven its dominance, taking the top spot in both the US and UK during Black Friday 2025. Data from Circana and GDC shows Sony’s console outpaced competitors thanks to aggressive discounts and strong demand.

Image: Sony’s PS5, Switch 2, and NEX Playground

In the United States, Circana’s retail tracking (via analyst Mat Piscatella) reported that PS5 accounted for 47% of all video game hardware unit sales during the week ending November 29.

The newly launched Nintendo Switch 2 followed with 24%, while the surprise third-place finisher was the NEX Playground at 14%. This family-focused, controller-free AI motion-tracker device, priced at $249, became a breakout hit among parents looking for active play alternatives.

Xbox Series X|S, combined with the original Switch and other platforms, made up the remaining 15%.

Promotions played a major role in shaping the results. Sony slashed up to $100 off MSRP across PS5 models, driving massive sales volume. Nintendo offered bundle deals for Switch 2 but avoided base price cuts due to its recent launch.

NEX Playground dropped 20% and quickly sold out, while Xbox discounts were more modest—around 10–16% on select Series S models and accessories.

Across the Atlantic, the UK market told a similar story. According to The Game Business, console sales rose compared to Black Friday 2024, with revenue up 14% and unit sales up 7%. PS5 was the clear driver, securing 62% of the market share. It was also the only console to outperform last year, with unit sales climbing 16%.

Price cuts fueled this surge: the PS5 Slim 1TB dropped 21% compared to two weeks earlier, the Slim 825GB Digital fell 34%, and the PS5 Pro hit an all-time low of £586. The average PS5 price dipped to £340, marking only the seventh time it has fallen below £400.

Meanwhile, Xbox Series S and X captured just 10% of UK sales, with an average selling price of £385—down 8% from two weeks prior.

Switch 2 held 23% of the market, though its share was lower than in previous weeks, reflecting the impact of PS5’s aggressive deals. Its average selling price was £405, only slightly reduced by 3%. The original Switch still managed 5% of sales.