The latest industry data shows that Sony's PlayStation 5 game console has achieved another important milestone in the U.S. market: its cumulative sales have exceeded the total U.S. sales of its predecessor console, PlayStation 3, throughout its entire life cycle.

According to information released on social media by Mat Piscatella, an analyst at market research company Circana, as of September 2025, PS5 sales in the United States have officially surpassed PS3.Although no specific figures have been announced, this achievement means that the PS5 has surpassed the PS3's decade-long sales accumulation in the US market in less than five years since its launch.

This momentum will also be repeated globally.Sony's official data shows that as of June 30, 2025, global shipments of PS5 have exceeded 80.2 million units.The total global shipments of PS3 during its entire life cycle (2006 to 2017) were approximately 87.4 million units.Given the strong sales pace of PS5, its global sales surpassing PS3 has been regarded as a matter of "when" rather than "if".

This achievement of PS5 particularly highlights its market success.Looking back at the PS3 era, the console faced huge challenges in the early days due to its high price and complex architecture, especially in the US market. Its limelight was once overshadowed by competitor Microsoft's Xbox 360.In the end, PS3 sold approximately 87 million units worldwide, of which the US market contributed approximately 23 million units, becoming one of the lowest-selling home consoles in Sony's history.

In contrast, the PS5 has maintained strong sales momentum since its release in November 2020.It remains one of Sony's fastest-selling consoles despite global supply chain challenges.

With the PS5 expected to remain on sale for at least another two to three years, industry attention has turned to whether it can eventually challenge even more impressive records.Currently, global sales of PlayStation 4 are approximately 117.2 million units, while PS2, the best-selling home console in history, has set a legendary record of more than 160 million units.Nintendo's Switch console has also sold more than 153 million units and is regarded as a potential competitor to the PS2 throne.