Sales rose 3.4% compared with July 2023. The market relied heavily on back-catalog titles and promotional activity.
Software growth. European video game sales recorded 2.4 million units sold, a 3.4% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Total console sales reached 263,000 units across selected European markets. The lack of major console game launches contributed to this cooling of hardware demand.
Xbox Series consoles dropped 42% and Nintendo Switch sales decreased by 29% year-on-year. The PlayStation 5 remained the market leader in this period.
The PS5 DualSense controller emerged as the top-selling product in the category. Accessory sales followed a similar downward trend to hardware.
Its sales volume was 69% higher than FIFA 23 during the equivalent month the previous year. The European Championships bolstered its top position.
European video game sales demonstrated resilience in July 2024, recording 2.4 million units sold—a 3.4% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This growth occurred despite a notable absence of major new releases, as the market relied heavily on back-catalog titles and promotional activity. EA Sports FC 24 secured the top position, bolstered by the European Championships, with sales volume 69% higher than those of FIFA 23 during the equivalent month the previous year.
While software performance remained positive, the hardware sector experienced a significant downturn. Across selected European markets, console sales plummeted by 46% year-on-year, totaling 263,000 units. The PlayStation 5 remained the market leader despite a 56% decline, followed by the Nintendo Switch and the Xbox Series family, which saw year-on-year drops of 29% and 42%, respectively. The lack of major console game launches contributed to this cooling of hardware demand. Accessory sales followed a similar downward trend, falling nearly 20% compared to the prior year, with the PS5 DualSense controller emerging as the top-selling product in the category.
The analysis utilizes GSD data, which aggregates digital sales from major publishers across 30 European countries and physical sales from 15 markets. The findings highlight a market currently driven by established franchises and legacy titles rather than new software launches, as evidenced by the fact that only one game in the top ten, Luigi's Mansion 2 HD, was released in 2024. Promotional events, such as free game offerings, also played a measurable role in influencing consumer behavior and chart rankings throughout the month.