PS5 Hardware Has Second Biggest Month in UK on Back of 28% Bounce

PlayStation 5 actually ended third in the UK during December 2021, despite enjoying its second biggest month since launch. Sony managed to ship 28 per cent more units than in November 2021, when it was the best-selling console in Britain, but the continued popularity of the Nintendo Switch and a huge influx of Xbox Series X|S stock put it just behind its competitors.

Obviously, this paints the industry in a particularly positive light, with all three manufacturers selling particularly well. But stock does continue to hold both Sony and Microsoft back, and you get the feeling the two new-gen consoles could have done even better with improved supply. Sadly, supply chain issues caused by the ongoing semi-conductor shortage mean units are likely to be light through 2022 as well.

In addition to strong console sales, PlayStation also dominated the accessories category for December 2021, with variations of its DualSense controller taking the top two positions. And with combined physical and digital sales, exclusives like Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales fared incredibly well compared to its multiformat counterparts, finishing sixth overall.

In total, 6.8 million games were sold in Britain during the all-important Christmas period, which is a drop of 12 per cent year-over-year – but it’s important to remember that flagship games like Cyberpunk 2077 launched in December in 2020, and also Call of Duty: Vanguard has generally been selling less than Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

Overall, though, the UK industry looks healthy, it’s just those ongoing supply issues which have put a ceiling on its performance.

December 2021 UK Top 20: Physical and Digital

1. FIFA 22
2. Call of Duty: Vanguard
3. Grand Theft Auto V
4. F1 2021
5. Just Dance 2022
6. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
7. Battlefield 2042
8. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
9. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond
10. Far Cry 6
11. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
12. Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition
13. Red Dead Redemption 2
14. Riders Republic
15. Animal Crossing New Horizons
16. Pokémon Shining Pearl
17. Mortal Kombat 11
18. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
19. LEGO Harry Potter Collection
20. Grand Theft Auto: The Definitive Edition