– PS5 sales dropped 50% in May due to a £90 price increase.
– Xbox nearly matched PS5 sales, outsold by only 400 units in the UK.
– Forza Horizon 6 drove a 12% monthly improvement for Xbox.
– The Xbox Series X is now £70 cheaper than the standard PS5.
– Microsoft may reconsider its cross-platform strategy amid the sales shift.
UK Retail Data Shows PlayStation Sales Plummet
May retail data in the UK confirms that PlayStation suffered a steep drop in console sales. The latest PS5 price increase contributed to a 50% decline compared to the prior month. Meanwhile, as Microsoft nearly catches Sony on the charts, Xbox fans are crediting an exclusive game for the turnaround.
Christopher Dring Teases the Numbers
Christopher Dring of The Game Business teased the numbers on social media. While the higher MSRP for PlayStation consoles took effect in early April, not all stores reacted immediately. Still, as buyers rushed to claim units, the more affordable existing supply ran out by May.
Xbox Sales Resurgence a Surprise
Many gamers find the resurgence in Xbox console sales the most newsworthy development. Dring noted that for the month, the PS5 “only outsold Xbox Series S/X by 400 units”. Thats particularly surprising, considering the system is often out of stock or not sold at some UK retailers.
PS5 Price Hike Details
On April 2nd, the PS5 price increase introduced a £90 rise for digital and disc versions, as well as the PS5 Pro. With the memory shortage wreaking havoc, the update came after an earlier upward adjustment in April 2025. The Xbox Series X 1TB with optical drive is now £70 cheaper than its standard PS5 rival.
Exclusive Game Credited for Gains
Even though Microsoft has implemented similar increases, its hardware now looks more tempting. However, in May, an Xbox exclusive game could be largely responsible for the manufacturer’s gains. Dring revealed that Forza Horizon 6 played a major role in the 12% monthly improvement.
Forza Horizon 6 Debut
Following its May 19th release date, the journalist previously disclosed a strong start for the open-world racer. In the UK, it debuted in 2nd place in physical sales behind LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. That may not seem impressive, but Microsoft’s first-party titles struggle in these rankings. Starfield was the last contender to crack the top 5 in 2023.
Future Xbox Exclusives
Some fans believe that more Xbox exclusives would further capitalize on the PS5 price increase. CEO Asha Sharma has hinted that the company was reconsidering its cross-platform approach. For now, Forza Horizon 6 is still expected to launch on PlayStation later in 2026.
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