John Welfare
@johnbp.bsky.social
Video game enthusiast, follow sales and provide questionable commentary.
Go to https://www.installbaseforum.com/ for dedicated video game sales discussions.
My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWelfare
Go to https://www.installbaseforum.com/ for dedicated video game sales discussions.
My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWelfare
Pinned
John Welfare
@johnbp.bsky.social
· Jun 17
The Record Breaking Success of Switch 2 Explained
YouTube video by Welfare
www.youtube.com
I went over the massive Switch 2 launch sales and what a likely month 1 result for it is
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YHF...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YHF...
Reposted by John Welfare
Nex Playground is the new console sensation in America. It's sold out across the country, and the company behind it are flying in hardware to try and meet Christmas demand. We speak to their CEO on the remarkable journey so far www.thegamebusiness.com/p/we-want-a-...
“We want a Nex Playground in every living room”
Nex CEO David Lee shares the remarkable story of the family game console that’s taking America by storm
www.thegamebusiness.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Nex Playground is the new console sensation in America. It's sold out across the country, and the company behind it are flying in hardware to try and meet Christmas demand. We speak to their CEO on the remarkable journey so far www.thegamebusiness.com/p/we-want-a-...
Reposted by John Welfare
Correct, and in that order on a unit basis. These were the only 3 platforms to sell at least 1M units that year.
Ranking 4th through 7th in 1995 were Game Gear, PlayStation, Saturn and... Virtual Boy.
Ranking 4th through 7th in 1995 were Game Gear, PlayStation, Saturn and... Virtual Boy.
December 18, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Correct, and in that order on a unit basis. These were the only 3 platforms to sell at least 1M units that year.
Ranking 4th through 7th in 1995 were Game Gear, PlayStation, Saturn and... Virtual Boy.
Ranking 4th through 7th in 1995 were Game Gear, PlayStation, Saturn and... Virtual Boy.
Reposted by John Welfare
US video game hardware total units sold and average price paid, Nov 1995 through Nov 2025.
December 17, 2025 at 3:30 PM
US video game hardware total units sold and average price paid, Nov 1995 through Nov 2025.
Reposted by John Welfare
The average price paid for a new unit of video game hardware in the US during November 2019 was $235. In November 2025 it was $439.
3.9 million units of video game hardware sold in the US in November 2019. In November 2025 it was 1.6 million.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
3.9 million units of video game hardware sold in the US in November 2019. In November 2025 it was 1.6 million.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
December 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The average price paid for a new unit of video game hardware in the US during November 2019 was $235. In November 2025 it was $439.
3.9 million units of video game hardware sold in the US in November 2019. In November 2025 it was 1.6 million.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
3.9 million units of video game hardware sold in the US in November 2019. In November 2025 it was 1.6 million.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
Reposted by John Welfare
A lot more detail is in @duckvalentine.bsky.social 's IGN article www.ign.com/articles/vid...
Video Game Physical Software and Hardware Sales Just Had the Worst November in the U.S. Since 1995 - IGN
Last month, November, was a shockingly terrible month for video game sales in the U.S. While we traditionally think of November as a huge sales month what with Black Friday and all, November 2025 was ...
www.ign.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:24 PM
A lot more detail is in @duckvalentine.bsky.social 's IGN article www.ign.com/articles/vid...
Reposted by John Welfare
November 2025 U.S. Video Game Market Highlights Thread from Circana - The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 marked the 18th consecutive year that a CoD franchise release has been the best-selling game of its release month, while PS5 led hardware in both unit and dollar sales.
December 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
November 2025 U.S. Video Game Market Highlights Thread from Circana - The release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 marked the 18th consecutive year that a CoD franchise release has been the best-selling game of its release month, while PS5 led hardware in both unit and dollar sales.
Reposted by John Welfare
Friendly reminder that November 2025 US video game market results from Circana will be released at approximately 9AM Eastern on Wednesday, December 17th.
December 15, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Friendly reminder that November 2025 US video game market results from Circana will be released at approximately 9AM Eastern on Wednesday, December 17th.
Reposted by John Welfare
Calir Obscur: Expedition 33's TGA activity resulted in an engagement boost in the US.
The percent of US active PS, XBX and US Steam players engaging with the game more than tripled by Dec 13th when compared to Dec 10th. US Steam showed the largest lift.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
The percent of US active PS, XBX and US Steam players engaging with the game more than tripled by Dec 13th when compared to Dec 10th. US Steam showed the largest lift.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
December 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Calir Obscur: Expedition 33's TGA activity resulted in an engagement boost in the US.
The percent of US active PS, XBX and US Steam players engaging with the game more than tripled by Dec 13th when compared to Dec 10th. US Steam showed the largest lift.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
The percent of US active PS, XBX and US Steam players engaging with the game more than tripled by Dec 13th when compared to Dec 10th. US Steam showed the largest lift.
Source: Circana Player Engagement Tracker
Nex Playground sold over 300K during Black Friday and Cyber Monday weeks. Life to date is >600,000
www.wsj.com/business/ent...
Article also has a quarterly sales graph since launch through November 30, 2025. This is what I get from pixel counting it
www.wsj.com/business/ent...
Article also has a quarterly sales graph since launch through November 30, 2025. This is what I get from pixel counting it
December 13, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Nex Playground sold over 300K during Black Friday and Cyber Monday weeks. Life to date is >600,000
www.wsj.com/business/ent...
Article also has a quarterly sales graph since launch through November 30, 2025. This is what I get from pixel counting it
www.wsj.com/business/ent...
Article also has a quarterly sales graph since launch through November 30, 2025. This is what I get from pixel counting it
Finally Tomb Raider is back. And two games back to back.
December 12, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Finally Tomb Raider is back. And two games back to back.
idk maybe games with publishers shouldn't be "independent" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
December 12, 2025 at 12:52 AM
idk maybe games with publishers shouldn't be "independent" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Metaphor is my favorite Atlus game so far, ahead of Persona 5 Royal and Persona 3 Reload.
Also just a top RPG in general. Loved it.
www.trueachievements.com/MyYearOnXbox...
Also just a top RPG in general. Loved it.
www.trueachievements.com/MyYearOnXbox...
Welfare Queen I's #MyYearOnXbox
Check out Welfare Queen I's 2025 Xbox stats
www.trueachievements.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Metaphor is my favorite Atlus game so far, ahead of Persona 5 Royal and Persona 3 Reload.
Also just a top RPG in general. Loved it.
www.trueachievements.com/MyYearOnXbox...
Also just a top RPG in general. Loved it.
www.trueachievements.com/MyYearOnXbox...
Reposted by John Welfare
Arcade1Up is apparently shutting down (no official statement yet from Arcade1Up) www.reddit.com/r/Arcade1Up/...
December 11, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Arcade1Up is apparently shutting down (no official statement yet from Arcade1Up) www.reddit.com/r/Arcade1Up/...
A better, simpler time.
Was reminded of the Hail Mary moves made for the Xbox One during the 2014 holiday season considering how different things & various goals are now in 2025.
Bundlemania sale. We’ll never see this again. 😆
www.engadget.com/2014-12-11-n...
Bundlemania sale. We’ll never see this again. 😆
www.engadget.com/2014-12-11-n...
December 11, 2025 at 3:44 PM
A better, simpler time.
Call of Duty will no longer do back to back Modern Warfare and Black Ops releases.
2022: MW2
2023: MW3
2024: BO6
2025: BO7
MW4 is expected to release in 2026
www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/12...
2022: MW2
2023: MW3
2024: BO6
2025: BO7
MW4 is expected to release in 2026
www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/12...
www.callofduty.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Call of Duty will no longer do back to back Modern Warfare and Black Ops releases.
2022: MW2
2023: MW3
2024: BO6
2025: BO7
MW4 is expected to release in 2026
www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/12...
2022: MW2
2023: MW3
2024: BO6
2025: BO7
MW4 is expected to release in 2026
www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/12...
Reposted by John Welfare
So, yeah, Black Friday week is extremely promotional for video games.
Stuff that does not price promote (generally speaking, here) does not see much of a seasonal lift at all from the prior week (usually none).
BF Week performance can correlate closely to what's being promoted and by how much.
Stuff that does not price promote (generally speaking, here) does not see much of a seasonal lift at all from the prior week (usually none).
BF Week performance can correlate closely to what's being promoted and by how much.
December 7, 2025 at 10:01 PM
So, yeah, Black Friday week is extremely promotional for video games.
Stuff that does not price promote (generally speaking, here) does not see much of a seasonal lift at all from the prior week (usually none).
BF Week performance can correlate closely to what's being promoted and by how much.
Stuff that does not price promote (generally speaking, here) does not see much of a seasonal lift at all from the prior week (usually none).
BF Week performance can correlate closely to what's being promoted and by how much.
But nothing with Xbox Series lol
Your favorite games in the palm of your hand.
Save up to $100 on ROG Xbox Ally at select retailers: xbx.lv/3Mlg9kw
Save up to $100 on ROG Xbox Ally at select retailers: xbx.lv/3Mlg9kw
December 7, 2025 at 7:35 PM
But nothing with Xbox Series lol
Brief sales history of Nex Playground. Started at just a 5,000 initial run in 2023 to a nationwide push in 2024 to now selling over 500,000 life to date as of November 2025
www.installbaseforum.com/forums/threa...
www.installbaseforum.com/forums/threa...
December 6, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Brief sales history of Nex Playground. Started at just a 5,000 initial run in 2023 to a nationwide push in 2024 to now selling over 500,000 life to date as of November 2025
www.installbaseforum.com/forums/threa...
www.installbaseforum.com/forums/threa...
Reposted by John Welfare
(This is for week ending Nov 29, 2025, btw)
December 6, 2025 at 9:13 PM
(This is for week ending Nov 29, 2025, btw)
Reposted by John Welfare
In the US, PlayStation 5 accounted for 47% of total Black Friday week hardware unit sales, leading the market.
Nintendo Switch 2 ranked 2nd (24%), with the NEX Playground 3rd (14%).
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
Nintendo Switch 2 ranked 2nd (24%), with the NEX Playground 3rd (14%).
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
PS5 had a huge Black Friday week in the UK. It accounted for 62% of all console sales (Xbox had 10%, Switch 2 had 23%). The PS5 Pro had its best week since launch.
Meanwhile, Hogwarts Legacy and EA Sports FC 26 came out top in Europe.
www.thegamebusiness.com/p/ps5-ea-spo...
Meanwhile, Hogwarts Legacy and EA Sports FC 26 came out top in Europe.
www.thegamebusiness.com/p/ps5-ea-spo...
PS5, EA Sports FC 26 and Hogwarts Legacy come out top during Europe’s Black Friday
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 slips to No.3
www.thegamebusiness.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:37 PM
In the US, PlayStation 5 accounted for 47% of total Black Friday week hardware unit sales, leading the market.
Nintendo Switch 2 ranked 2nd (24%), with the NEX Playground 3rd (14%).
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
Nintendo Switch 2 ranked 2nd (24%), with the NEX Playground 3rd (14%).
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
Reposted by John Welfare
In August they said they were at 250k
If you look up the Nex on Amazon, they say 100k units were purchased in the last month
If you look up the Nex on Amazon, they say 100k units were purchased in the last month
December 4, 2025 at 12:30 AM
In August they said they were at 250k
If you look up the Nex on Amazon, they say 100k units were purchased in the last month
If you look up the Nex on Amazon, they say 100k units were purchased in the last month
Reposted by John Welfare
Back in March I was sent a press release about the Nex, stating that
“In just its first holiday season last year, Nex Playground sold nearly 150,000 units, completely selling out on Black Friday at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy”
I failed to investigate further
“In just its first holiday season last year, Nex Playground sold nearly 150,000 units, completely selling out on Black Friday at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy”
I failed to investigate further
US best-selling hardware SKUs for week ending Nov 22, 2025, ranked on units sold:
1) NS2 Mario Kart World Bundle
2) NEX Playground Interactive Gaming System
3) PS5 Slim Digital 1 TB
So that's neat.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
1) NS2 Mario Kart World Bundle
2) NEX Playground Interactive Gaming System
3) PS5 Slim Digital 1 TB
So that's neat.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
December 4, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Back in March I was sent a press release about the Nex, stating that
“In just its first holiday season last year, Nex Playground sold nearly 150,000 units, completely selling out on Black Friday at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy”
I failed to investigate further
“In just its first holiday season last year, Nex Playground sold nearly 150,000 units, completely selling out on Black Friday at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy”
I failed to investigate further
Reposted by John Welfare
US best-selling hardware SKUs for week ending Nov 22, 2025, ranked on units sold:
1) NS2 Mario Kart World Bundle
2) NEX Playground Interactive Gaming System
3) PS5 Slim Digital 1 TB
So that's neat.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
1) NS2 Mario Kart World Bundle
2) NEX Playground Interactive Gaming System
3) PS5 Slim Digital 1 TB
So that's neat.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
December 3, 2025 at 10:25 PM
US best-selling hardware SKUs for week ending Nov 22, 2025, ranked on units sold:
1) NS2 Mario Kart World Bundle
2) NEX Playground Interactive Gaming System
3) PS5 Slim Digital 1 TB
So that's neat.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
1) NS2 Mario Kart World Bundle
2) NEX Playground Interactive Gaming System
3) PS5 Slim Digital 1 TB
So that's neat.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
Played my first ever match on Pokemon Showdown (Gen 9 random battle)
Never played comp before and haven't touch Gen 9 at all yet, but I did good I think.
replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9randomba...
Never played comp before and haven't touch Gen 9 at all yet, but I did good I think.
replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9randomba...
[Gen 9] Random Battle: Non fred2 vs. johnwelfare - Replays - Pokémon Showdown!
Watch a replay of a Pokémon battle between Non fred2 and johnwelfare! Format: [Gen 9] Random Battle; Date: Dec 3, 2025
replay.pokemonshowdown.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Played my first ever match on Pokemon Showdown (Gen 9 random battle)
Never played comp before and haven't touch Gen 9 at all yet, but I did good I think.
replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9randomba...
Never played comp before and haven't touch Gen 9 at all yet, but I did good I think.
replay.pokemonshowdown.com/gen9randomba...
I wish Xbox would come out with an Elite 3 controller with Hall Effect.
Was looking to buy a new controller as the old one was having issues and the Game Sir would be cool but I don't like the design. Would rather have an official looking controller that had Hall Effect
Went with the Pulse Cipher
Was looking to buy a new controller as the old one was having issues and the Game Sir would be cool but I don't like the design. Would rather have an official looking controller that had Hall Effect
Went with the Pulse Cipher
November 28, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I wish Xbox would come out with an Elite 3 controller with Hall Effect.
Was looking to buy a new controller as the old one was having issues and the Game Sir would be cool but I don't like the design. Would rather have an official looking controller that had Hall Effect
Went with the Pulse Cipher
Was looking to buy a new controller as the old one was having issues and the Game Sir would be cool but I don't like the design. Would rather have an official looking controller that had Hall Effect
Went with the Pulse Cipher