Julia Stoll
Research expert covering TV and video media
Console gaming - Statistics & Facts
Console gaming is one of the oldest and most popular forms of gaming worldwide. Ever since the first home video game systems were released in the 1970s, millions of players have transformed their living rooms into personal arcades and delved into the animated worlds of Zelda, Super Mario, and the like. While technology has visibly advanced since the early days of console gaming and more players now favor smartphones over traditional devices, revenues of the global video game consoles market keep rising every year.
Despite the ubiquity of mobile games and the sheer infinity of custom options for PC gaming, console gaming is straightforward, and gamers appreciate the option of comfortably enjoying video games from their couch. With most games being published on nearly all current-gen platforms these days, it is up to the players to pick the console they are most interested in, sit back, and enjoy the entertainment.
Console gaming audiences and gaming behavior
When comparing global gaming markets, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand are home to the most engaged console gaming audiences worldwide. Taking a closer look at console gaming demographics in the United States, a recent survey showed that over 60 percent of gamers are aged between 20 to 39 years, whereas consoles are less popular with teens. Another ongoing trend in the world of console gaming is the use of subscription services. Newer generation consoles are no longer just analog devices but rather a gateway to unlimited online gaming content, and services like PlayStation Plus, Nintendo Switch Online, and Xbox Game Pass are an essential part of console gaming for many users.Ringing in a new round of console wars
The global home console market is dominated by Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. In 2024, the PlayStation 5 held the lead in terms of game console unit sales worldwide, with major franchises including Call of Duty and EA Sports FC driving global demand. However, all of this might change from June 2025 with the release of the highly anticipated Switch 2 console. Nintendo expects up to 15 million hardware and 45 million software units sold by the end of its fiscal year 2026, and experts project that the new device will bring a much needed spending boost to the gaming market.What are the best-selling console games worldwide?
Noteworthy titles in the running for the world鈥檚 number one console game include Super Mario Bros., Mario Kart Wii, and other releases from Nintendo鈥檚 beloved Super Mario franchise, as well as console versions of cross-platform gaming titles. Looking at other major releases, sports games like EA's EA Sports FC series or Activision's first-person shooter series Call of Duty are also high in demand. Platform-exclusive titles used to be one of the key factors for gamers when deciding which console to purchase, but times have changed: a number of console exclusive hits such as Horizon: Zero Dawn, God of War, Spider-Man, or The Last of Us have received PC ports, and beloved PlayStation flagship series like Final Fantasy or Persona are also getting re-releases for Xbox and Nintendo Switch consoles.Despite the ubiquity of mobile games and the sheer infinity of custom options for PC gaming, console gaming is straightforward, and gamers appreciate the option of comfortably enjoying video games from their couch. With most games being published on nearly all current-gen platforms these days, it is up to the players to pick the console they are most interested in, sit back, and enjoy the entertainment.
