"2024: Unexpected Game System Outsold PlayStation, Nintendo Switch on Amazon"

Summary

• Meta Quest 3S outperforms Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch as the top-selling console on Amazon in 2024.
• The affordability and standalone nature of Meta Quest 3S make VR more accessible, requiring no tether or powerful PC/console.
• The success of Meta Quest 3S on Amazon suggests a growing interest in virtual reality.

In 2024, while Xbox, PlayStation, and the Nintendo Switch continued to perform well, they were all surpassed by the Meta Quest 3S, which emerged as the best-selling console on Amazon. This is a remarkable feat for the virtual reality headset, especially considering its launch in October of the same year.

The Meta Quest 3S serves as a more budget-friendly version of the Meta Quest 3, offering a significant price reduction in exchange for slightly lower specifications. Despite virtual reality not yet being a mainstream choice among gamers, the affordable pricing and diverse game library have propelled the Meta Quest 3S to become a top seller on Amazon in 2024.

Amazon's 2024 best-seller list highlights the Meta Quest 3S as the leading console within the video game category, ranking at #11 on the overall video game list, which was primarily dominated by gift cards and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. The PlayStation 5 slim followed at #17, and the Nintendo Switch at #53. Xbox consoles did not feature in the top 80, though their peripherals did make the list. The PlayStation 5 Pro was also absent. Notably, only a Nintendo-branded microSDXC card and the PlayStation DualSense wireless controller, at positions #8 and #9 respectively, outranked the Meta Quest 3S.

Meta Quest 3S Makes Virtual Reality More Accessible Than Ever

Sony's PlayStation VR 2 did not make Amazon's list, despite its compelling game offerings. The Meta Quest 3S's appeal may stem from its standalone functionality, allowing users to move freely without being tethered, unlike the PlayStation VR. Additionally, users do not need to invest in a powerful console or PC to use the Meta Quest 3S.

The list also featured the Meta Quest 2 at #27, while the original Meta Quest 3 did not rank in the top 80. This suggests that consumers may prefer VR devices at more affordable price points. With the Meta Quest 2 now discontinued and the anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025, it will be fascinating to see how the sales landscape shifts. If Nintendo can replicate the success of the original Switch, it could potentially dominate Amazon's video game sales in 2025. The 2024 results clearly indicate a growing interest in virtual reality.

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