Surprising Game System Beat PlayStation and Nintendo Switch on Amazon in 2024
Meta Quest 3S: Amazon's 2024 Best-Selling Console
The Meta Quest 3S achieved a remarkable feat in 2024, outperforming established gaming giants like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch to become Amazon's top-selling console. This success, particularly considering its October launch, underscores the burgeoning interest in affordable virtual reality (VR) gaming.
The Quest 3S, a more budget-friendly version of the Meta Quest 3, offers a compelling entry point into VR. Its wireless functionality and independence from powerful PCs or consoles contribute significantly to its appeal. While VR remains niche within the broader gaming market, the Quest 3S's accessible price and diverse game library proved a winning combination on Amazon.
Amazon's 2024 best-seller list confirms the Quest 3S's dominance in the video game category, securing the #11 spot overall. This ranking is particularly impressive given the list's dominance by gift cards and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. The PlayStation 5 Slim (#17) and Nintendo Switch (#53) trailed considerably, while Xbox consoles failed to even make the top 80. Only a Nintendo microSDXC card and the PlayStation DualSense controller ranked higher.
Accessibility and Convenience Drive VR Adoption
The absence of Sony's PlayStation VR2 from the Amazon list highlights the Quest 3S's advantages. While PSVR2 offers compelling games, the Quest 3S's untethered design and lack of reliance on external hardware likely broadened its appeal. This freedom of movement and reduced upfront investment are significant factors for many consumers.
Interestingly, the discontinued Meta Quest 2 also appeared (#27), while the original Meta Quest 3 was absent from the top 80. This suggests a strong preference for lower-priced VR headsets. With the Nintendo Switch 2 anticipated in 2025, the coming year's Amazon best-seller list promises to be equally intriguing. Nintendo's potential success with the Switch 2 could significantly shift the landscape.
However, 2024's results clearly signal a growing, albeit gradual, acceptance of virtual reality within the mainstream gaming market.
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