[Waterluvian]

The PS4 outsold Xbox One so badly that Microsoft stopped sharing the numbers.

The best we can tell right now[1], PS5 has outsold One S/X by about the same 2:1 ratio, and the Xbox didn’t spend a year struggling to stay in stock.

From a fan’s perspective, I can certainly see why a “console war” might be measured by how many good titles they have. But these businesses are generally interested in making money.

[1] https://www.ign.com/articles/best-selling-video-game-console...

[CharlesW]

> …the Xbox didn’t spend a year struggling to stay in stock.

The Xbox Series X was nearly impossible to get at retail for two years, and is still difficult to find unless you pay $100-200 more for a bundle.

It's not at all surprising to me that a console launch is going to do poorly if it can't be purchased without dealing with scalpers.

[Waterluvian]

That’s true. They sold a version that was basically a last generation console and apparently easy to manufacture and keep on shelves, but the X did struggle like the PS5.

[AraceliHarker]

While the Xbox Series X, like the PS5, was extremely difficult to obtain due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Series S was relatively easy to purchase. In fact, the Series S outsold the PS5 in Japan during the weeks when PS5 supply was low.

[ummonk]

Wait the ratio is only 2:1? From the original article and your first sentence I was expecting Xbox to be on the verge of a death spiral, not getting as much as 50% of PS5 sales.

[Waterluvian]

It’s still a console that sells an enjoyable experience. But the “war” is over if the top competitor is doubling the next top.

I don’t think the end of the “console war” necessarily means going out of business or abandoning hardware altogether.