Xbox Series S outsells PS5 in Japan for the first time

Xbox Series X and S
(Image credit: Microsoft)

The Xbox Series S has outsold the PS5 in Japan for the very first time.

Reported earlier today on May 19 by Japanese publication Famitsu, and translated via the tweet just below from Limited Run Games' Alex Aniel, the Xbox Series S has outsold the PS5 in Japan for the first time. This is in terms of the last week's sales for both consoles, in which the Xbox Series S sold a total 6,210 units, while the PS5 sold 2,963 units.

This marks the very first time a new-gen Xbox console has outsold the PS5 in Japan. In terms of comparisons, the cumulative sales figures for the PS5 throughout the past week takes into account both the disc-based and all-digital models of Sony's new-gen console, and the Series S outsold both combined, twice over.

This is just the first time an Xbox Series console has outsold the PS5 in Japan, though. If you were to take the wider world into account when comparing the two, the Xbox Series X and S actually outsold the PS5 for the first time ever earlier this year in March. When comparing sales of all three consoles, the Microsoft machines had a big advantage over the PS5 in Europe for that whole month.

It's hard to know just how the new-gen PlayStation and Xbox machines stack up against each other in sales around the world. While Sony announces period sales milestones for the PS5, Microsoft doesn't release figures, so we're left to guess. Last we heard though, the PS5 had sold a total 19.3 million units as of earlier this month, but has lowered sales forecasts for the next year due to supply issues. 

How to install Xbox Series X games | How to transfer games to Xbox Series X external transfer | How to pair an Xbox Series X controller | Xbox Share button | Xbox Series X controller and accessory compatibility | Xbox Series X standby mode | Xbox Quick Resume | What discs work in an Xbox Series X | Does Xbox Series X play Blu-ray movies | How to eject an Xbox Series X disc | How to set up the Xbox mobile app | How to hard reset an Xbox Series X 

Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
PlayStation 30th Anniversary
Despite selling well initially, the PS5 Pro has since "fallen behind" the PS4 Pro in sales, says analyst
Xbox Series X
I love consoles more than anything but Microsoft has me less excited than ever about the Xbox Series X successor
Xbox Series S deals
The best Xbox Series S deals and bundles: all the biggest offers in March 2025
Indiana Jones and The Great Circle - Indiana peers out from the shadows in stealth
Xbox bringing its exclusives to PS5 has a precedent set by Sega, but "it makes the conversation harder to create the FOMO," says former PlayStation boss
Mario faces the camera with a thumbs up pose in Super Smash Bros. Ulimate.
Nintendo Switch clears 150 million sales, closing gap with PS2 once again after Sony bumped up its own figures last year
Black Myth Wukong
Black Myth: Wukong lead blames the missing Xbox port on Series S specs, months after Microsoft claimed the delay wasn't due to "platform limitations"
Latest in Platforms
Dune Awakening
Dune Awakening launches for $50 without a stay in early access, and while the survival MMO "will not have a monthly subscription" it will have "optional" paid DLC
Assassin's Creed Shadows screenshot showing female protagonist Naoe
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe actor was terrified to perform until her first mocap scene earned "a standing ovation" on set: "Maybe I can do this mocap thing"
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Yasuke actor says that Naoe could beat his samurai in a fight: “Especially with that big a** helmet of mine”
The Legend of Dragoon
Beloved PS1 JRPG Legend of Dragoon wasn't meant to be a Final Fantasy 7 killer, Super Mario RPG's battle designer just said "I want to make a new RPG"
Fallout 76 screenshot showing an irradiated mutant man-like creature screeching, its sharp canine teeth showing
After 14 years at Bethesda, Skyrim and Fallout veteran made his final settlement in just 2 days – but only because he'd made some rough ones before that
halflife screenshot showing a headcrab jumping at a player
Half-Life devs worried Gabe Newell "promised things that they couldn't possibly deliver" for the iconic FPS, but "they just didn't know" that they'd be able to do it yet
Latest in News
Dune Awakening
Dune Awakening launches for $50 without a stay in early access, and while the survival MMO "will not have a monthly subscription" it will have "optional" paid DLC
Linda Cardellini as Laura Barton in Hawkeye
Linda Cardellini cast as Jason's mom, the original Friday the 13th killer, for Crystal Lake prequel series
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 studio CD Projekt Red won't make survival games just because they're popular, but Netflix's Edgerunners anime is fueling dreams bigger than RPGs
Assassin's Creed Shadows screenshot showing female protagonist Naoe
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe actor was terrified to perform until her first mocap scene earned "a standing ovation" on set: "Maybe I can do this mocap thing"
Daredevil: Born Again
Marvel may have just sneakily confirmed one of the biggest Daredevil: Born Again fan theories
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Yasuke actor says that Naoe could beat his samurai in a fight: “Especially with that big a** helmet of mine”