GTA 6 hype builds as Sony confirms more than 100 million PS5 shipments

Sony has confirmed that PlayStation 5 shipments have officially passed the 100 million-unit mark, making it the company's fourth console to achieve this milestone. The achievement places the PS5 among Sony's most successful gaming systems, although it still has some distance to cover before catching up with the PS1 and PS4.

It's worth noting that Sony's figure represents shipments to retailers rather than confirmed sales to consumers. Even so, crossing 100 million units highlights the PS5's considerable popularity despite a challenging hardware market. Console shipments have slowed compared with previous years, with rising component costs and ongoing supply pressures likely contributing to the decline.

Based on Sony's historical shipment figures, the PS5 is currently around 2.4 million units behind the original PlayStation, which reached approximately 102.4 million shipments. At its current pace, the newer console could overtake that figure as soon as next quarter. Catching the PlayStation 4, however, will be considerably harder, as the previous-generation system shipped roughly 17 million units more than the PS5 has so far.

The PlayStation 2's record appears even further out of reach. With the PS5 already well into its lifecycle and Sony's next-generation PlayStation 6 expected to arrive within the next few years, there may not be enough time for the current console to approach its predecessor's enormous total. Shipping another 60 million units before the PS6 arrives would be particularly challenging given today's hardware prices and market conditions.

Nevertheless, demand for Sony's current-generation hardware remains substantial. Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled to launch in just a week, potentially providing a major boost to console sales. Meanwhile, the PS5 Pro has reportedly been difficult to find at many retailers, suggesting that interest in Sony's more powerful hardware remains strong.

Sony has yet to reveal its plans for the transition to the PS6, but speculation suggests the PS5 could remain on the market alongside its successor for several years. The current console generation may also last longer than previous cycles. Reaching the 100 million milestone now gives Sony a useful benchmark for measuring hardware demand before and after the highly anticipated launch of GTA VI.

The upcoming Rockstar blockbuster is widely expected to become one of the biggest entertainment releases ever, with launch revenue projections exceeding $2 billion. Its impact could therefore play an important role in determining how far the PS5 can climb before the next generation begins.

As always, for the latest news on PlayStation 5, Sony console shipments, PS5 Pro availability, GTA VI, and the upcoming PlayStation 6, be sure to follow our dedicated gaming and hardware coverage.