Xbox gross sales figures dropped so low in 2025 that they had been the ‘worst 12 months on document’ for the UK for the reason that gaming firm began promoting consoles.
Xbox console gross sales dropped 39% in 2025. (Picture: Getty Pictures) This text accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Be taught extra
Gross sales of Xbox consoles dropped to the bottom they’ve ever been within the UK, based on an trade analyst.
Editor-in-chief and co-founder of video games trade reporting website The Recreation Enterprise, Christopher Dring, posted on X final week that the sale of Xbox consoles dropped 39% within the UK all through 2025. That features the sale of the Xbox Sequence X and Sequence S consoles.
In accordance with Dring, these gross sales figures are ‘the worst 12 months on document’ for Xbox.
The information arrives after what appears to have been a combined 12 months for Microsoft. Regardless of robust performances from DOOM: The Darkish Ages and the Oblivion Remaster, the writer additionally noticed loads of struggles with the remainder of its launching library.
Microsoft additionally raised the value of its Xbox Sequence X and S consoles in April 2025, seeing them rise by £50-£75 at most retailers. Xbox Recreation Go additionally noticed a hefty hike, rising from £14.99 to £22.99 in October of final 12 months.
Regardless of the gross sales numbers trying disappointing on paper, some players declare that it’s truly all a part of Microsoft’s plan. Home windows Central editor Jez Corden replied to Dring’s put up, saying: “nope and it’s intentional.”
There’s some fact to this. For the reason that finish of 2024, Microsoft has been going arduous with its renewed tagline of ‘That is an Xbox’.
The thought behind that is that Microsoft is bringing its video games to the place its viewers is slightly than the opposite means round. Which means gamers can now entry Xbox video games on gadgets they already personal, like their cellphones, tablets, and even TVs with out the necessity for a devoted console.
The corporate remains to be offering the {hardware} for people who desire a devoted machine, and it even launched its personal handheld with the Xbox ROG Ally in late 2025. Nevertheless, its technique does appear to be pivoting extra in direction of software program than the normal devoted console.
Alternatively, there’s clearly nonetheless an enormous marketplace for console gamers. PlayStation 5 gross sales are slowing at a a lot slower tempo in comparison with Xbox, down by 12% year-on-year within the UK based on VGChartz.
The Nintendo Change 2 additionally comfortably outsold the Xbox Sequence X|S choices, with it estimated to have bought over 10 million models in its first 4 months on the cabinets.
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Nonetheless, we discover ourselves heading into unsure waters with regards to online game {hardware}. With the value of elements skyrocketing due to AI information farms hoarding all of the sources, {hardware} producers are warning that the costs of electronics are solely set to get larger.
It might additionally imply that model new consoles just like the potential PlayStation 6 find yourself getting delayed by a 12 months or two – though some players don’t assume that’s essentially a nasty factor.
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