2024 Overview of the Console and VR Gaming Market in Korea

Key insights

5 takeaways

01
Nintendo dominates the Korean console market with 72.3% of gamers using its hardware, significantly outpacing PlayStation (42.9%) and Xbox (10.9%).See it on page 1
02
Console gaming in Korea is primarily a casual, leisure-oriented activity, with only 24.3% of users playing 1–2 times per week and roughly 35% playing once a month or less.See it on page 2
03
Simulation games are the most popular genre among Korean console players at 44%, followed by sports/racing (37.4%) and action (31%).See it on page 3
04
VR gaming adoption remains niche in Korea, with usage peaking among those in their 20s (9.8%) and 30s (9%).See it on page 4
05
The 2024 data, based on surveys of over 2,000 console gamers and 8,000 VR users, highlights a clear preference for immersive and interactive gameplay genres over the action and RPG titles typical of the Korean PC market.See it on page 3

Summary

The 2024 landscape of the South Korean console and virtual reality gaming market reveals a sector characterized by high brand concentration and a preference for casual, simulation-based gameplay. Based on a survey of 2,157 console gamers and 8,076 VR users conducted between June and October 2024, the data highlights that Nintendo maintains a dominant market position, with 72.3% of console gamers utilizing its hardware. PlayStation follows with 42.9%, while Xbox accounts for 10.9% of the market share.

Console gaming in Korea functions primarily as a leisure activity rather than a daily habit. The most frequent usage pattern, reported by 24.3% of respondents, involves playing only once or twice per week. A significant portion of the user base, approximately 35%, engages with consoles on a monthly or less frequent basis. Regarding content preferences, players lean heavily toward immersive and interactive experiences, with simulation games cited as a top-three favorite by 44% of users, followed by sports and racing titles at 37.4% and action games at 31%.

Virtual reality adoption remains in an early stage, with usage rates across all age groups ranging between 3.4% and 9.8%. Engagement is highest among younger adults, specifically those in their 20s and 30s, who demonstrate the strongest interest in VR technology. Overall, the findings suggest that while console and VR gaming are established segments within the broader South Korean gaming industry, they currently serve as secondary, casual entertainment options that prioritize simulation and interactive genres over the high-intensity competitive titles often found in the domestic PC gaming market.