October Nintendo Switch 2 sales fall behind PS5 in UK, as Sony's console gains momentum in Europe

Nintendo’s new console may be beating the company’s own expectations, but the PS5 is showing surprising resilience. Push Square reported on a subscribers-only The Game Business article, revealing how PlayStation topped Switch 2 sales in the UK. The numbers follow a trend seen in other European nations where the PS5 remains the most popular gaming system.

Despite challenges, the gaming industry thrived

October proved to be a lucrative month for both Nintendo and Sony hardware. Totaling close to 140,000 UK console sales, the Switch 2 saw a 22% increase compared to September. However, PS5 sales figures were even better, rising 36% from the prior month.

The Game Business notes that the PS5 is the top-selling console in the country for 2025. Still, sales were 15.6% higher in October 2024 than during the same period in 2025. Given the Switch 2's June release date, the handheld’s performance shouldn’t be discounted. Even so, more recently, PlayStation has been clawing back at its Nintendo rival.

In Spain, the PS5 has finished ahead of Switch 2 sales for several consecutive months. Considering the console has been available since 2020, there are fewer potential buyers left. Nevertheless, PlayStation’s presence in Europe continues to grow five years later.

How new PS5 and Switch 2 games influenced sales

Ghost of Yotei meeting projections contributed to Sony’s commendable retail performance. Third-party sales of Battlefield 6, which isn’t available on Nintendo’s console, exceeded forecasts across the EU.

Meanwhile, third-party Switch 2 games haven’t been able to compete with Nintendo-published titles. Pokémon Legends: Z-A debuted in mid-October, but November and December will also be busy months for first-party titles. Kirby Air Riders and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond headline what the company hopes is a record-setting holiday period.

To counter Nintendo’s plans, Sony has announced price cuts that could prevent it from losing ground. In Japan, it recently launched a more affordable region-specific PS5. For UK, EU, and U.S. gamers, a seasonal price drop has temporarily addressed criticism over rising MSRPs.