Gamers Surprised: A New Console Dominates Sales Over PlayStation and Switch

Meta Quest 3S: Amazon's 2024 Best-Selling Console

In a surprising upset, the Meta Quest 3S outperformed established gaming giants like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch to claim the title of Amazon's best-selling console of 2024. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering its October launch.

The budget-friendly Meta Quest 3S, a lower-spec variant of the Meta Quest 3, offers a compelling entry point into the VR market. Its wireless freedom and independence from powerful PCs or consoles proved a significant draw for consumers. This Amazon sales data strongly suggests a growing consumer interest in virtual reality.

While traditional consoles remain popular, their performance on Amazon's 2024 best-seller list pales in comparison to the Quest 3S. The Meta Quest 3S secured the #11 spot on Amazon's overall video game best-seller list, a ranking dominated by gift cards and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. The PlayStation 5 Slim trailed at #17, and the Nintendo Switch landed at #53. Notably, Xbox consoles failed to make the top 80, although some peripherals did appear. The PlayStation 5 Pro was also absent. Only a Nintendo microSDXC card and the PlayStation DualSense controller ranked higher than the Quest 3S.

Accessibility and Affordability Drive VR Adoption

The absence of Sony's PlayStation VR2 from Amazon's list highlights the Meta Quest 3S's competitive advantage. Its standalone nature—no external devices needed—enhances its appeal. This untethered experience and the elimination of the need for a high-powered console or PC significantly lower the barrier to entry for VR enthusiasts.

Interestingly, the Meta Quest 2 also appeared on the list at #27, while the original Meta Quest 3 didn't make the top 80. This suggests a strong preference for lower-priced VR options. With the discontinuation of the Meta Quest 2 and the anticipated 2025 release of the Nintendo Switch 2, the 2025 rankings will be fascinating to observe. Nintendo's potential success with the Switch 2 could significantly impact Amazon's video game sales.

The 2024 results clearly indicate a gradual but undeniable rise in consumer interest in virtual reality.

$349 $400 Save$51 $349 at Amazon$350 at Best Buy