Game System Topples PlayStation, Nintendo on Amazon in 2024

Summary

In 2024, the Meta Quest 3S outsold Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch consoles on Amazon, claiming the top spot.
Its affordability, untethered freedom, and standalone operation (no powerful PC or console needed) fueled its success.
The Meta Quest 3S's Amazon dominance reflects a surge in VR interest.

While Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch remain strong contenders, the Meta Quest 3S surprisingly secured the title of Amazon's best-selling console in 2024. This is a remarkable feat, especially considering its October launch.

The Meta Quest 3S, a more budget-friendly version of the Meta Quest 3, offers significant cost savings while maintaining core functionality. Although VR gaming isn't mainstream yet, the Quest 3S's attractive price and diverse game library propelled it to top seller status on Amazon.

Amazon's 2024 best-seller list reveals the Meta Quest 3S as the top-selling console, ranking #11 overall among video games (a list largely dominated by gift cards and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions). The PlayStation 5 Slim trailed at #17, and the Nintendo Switch at #53. Notably, Xbox consoles didn't feature in the top 80, although its peripherals did. The PlayStation 5 Pro was also absent. Only a Nintendo microSDXC card (#8) and the PlayStation DualSense controller (#9) outsold the Meta Quest 3S.

Meta Quest 3S: Making VR More Accessible

Sony's PlayStation VR2, in contrast, didn't appear on Amazon's list. While PSVR boasts a strong game lineup, the Meta Quest 3S's standalone nature likely boosted its appeal. Its untethered design allows for freedom of movement, unlike the tethered PlayStation VR, and eliminates the need for a powerful console or PC.

Interestingly, the Meta Quest 2 also ranked (#27), while the original Meta Quest 3 didn't make the top 80. This suggests that lower price points significantly impact VR adoption. With the Meta Quest 2 discontinued and the Nintendo Switch 2 slated for a 2025 release, 2025's rankings will be fascinating. If Nintendo replicates the Switch's success, it could dominate Amazon's video game sales. The 2024 results, however, clearly show a growing, albeit gradual, interest in virtual reality.

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