Sony Interactive Entertainment has revealed that its highly sought-after gaming console, the PlayStation 5 (PS5), has achieved a notable milestone by surpassing 40 million units sold. The PS5 was officially launched in November 2020, following a captivating reveal the previous year. Since then, an impressive 40 million consoles have been snapped up by enthusiastic players worldwide. Back in February, Sony had reported shipping 32 million units, meaning that in just five months, an additional 8 million consoles have been sold, marking a significant surge in sales.


The PS5's success can be partly attributed to the release of the much-anticipated game God of War Ragnarok in the winter, which undoubtedly boosted sales and contributed to reaching the 32 million unit milestone. Since then, the first-party PlayStation releases for the PS5 have been relatively few, with only Horizon Forbidden West's Burning Shores DLC and MLB The Show 23 making their debut. Additionally, the first-party title Horizon Call of the Mountain was released this year, but it is exclusively available on PSVR2.


Despite this, Square Enix contributed to the console's success by exclusively releasing Final Fantasy XVI on the PS5 last month, thereby bolstering hardware sales. Furthermore, the forthcoming Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which will have its own special limited edition PS5 console bundle, is expected to drive further hardware sales.


Jim Ryan, President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, expressed his thoughts on this milestone achievement in a recent statement. He acknowledged the challenging circumstances surrounding the PS5's launch, as it coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and caused delays. Despite these difficulties, the unwavering dedication of their teams and partners enabled them to meet the demands of the gaming community. Jim Ryan extended his heartfelt gratitude to PlayStation fans for their patience and support during this journey. Now, with the PS5 supply finally stable, the console is meeting the long-awaited demand.


With the support and enthusiasm of its dedicated gaming community, Sony has reached an incredible milestone of 40 million PS5 consoles sold since its launch in November 2020 (as of the week ending July 16, 2023). This achievement stands as a testament to the enduring popularity and success of the PS5, solidifying its position as a leading force in the gaming industry.