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
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
Reposted by John Welfare
"As they prepare to cook and serve meals at their home or at another person’s home, consumers are stretching their budgets. In general, shoppers remain wary on the spending front, facing 30%+ higher food and beverage prices compared to 2019 and without a similar hike in wages."
2025 Thanksgiving Consumer Behavior Trends | Circana
Although 89% of foods and beverage for at-home Thanksgiving dinners are sourced from retail stores, Circana expects that 11% of Thanksgiving meals will include items purchased from a foodservice opera...
www.circana.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:24 PM
"As they prepare to cook and serve meals at their home or at another person’s home, consumers are stretching their budgets. In general, shoppers remain wary on the spending front, facing 30%+ higher food and beverage prices compared to 2019 and without a similar hike in wages."
Reposted by John Welfare
In Monrovia, California, protesters are purchasing 17¢ ICE scrapers from Home Depot and immediately returning them to create long lines and slow down the entire store. Their aim is to disrupt sales and convey a message opposing ICE raids occurring in their neighborhood.
November 23, 2025 at 11:37 AM
In Monrovia, California, protesters are purchasing 17¢ ICE scrapers from Home Depot and immediately returning them to create long lines and slow down the entire store. Their aim is to disrupt sales and convey a message opposing ICE raids occurring in their neighborhood.
Reposted by John Welfare
Happy 20th to the Xbox 360!
The Xbox 360 sold 42.7M consoles in the US lifetime, with Call of Duty: Black Ops II being its best-selling game in the US in both units and dollars.
The 360 Headset led accessory SKUs in US units sold at over 11.4M.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
The Xbox 360 sold 42.7M consoles in the US lifetime, with Call of Duty: Black Ops II being its best-selling game in the US in both units and dollars.
The 360 Headset led accessory SKUs in US units sold at over 11.4M.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
November 22, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Happy 20th to the Xbox 360!
The Xbox 360 sold 42.7M consoles in the US lifetime, with Call of Duty: Black Ops II being its best-selling game in the US in both units and dollars.
The 360 Headset led accessory SKUs in US units sold at over 11.4M.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
The Xbox 360 sold 42.7M consoles in the US lifetime, with Call of Duty: Black Ops II being its best-selling game in the US in both units and dollars.
The 360 Headset led accessory SKUs in US units sold at over 11.4M.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
Reposted by John Welfare
PC was the lead platform.
November 20, 2025 at 2:58 PM
PC was the lead platform.
Reposted by John Welfare
Yep. Granted, I have never followed the franchise closely, but Digimon Story: Time Stranger has generated the most dollar sales in the US of any title in franchise history, according to Circana's Retail Tracking Service.
November 20, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Yep. Granted, I have never followed the franchise closely, but Digimon Story: Time Stranger has generated the most dollar sales in the US of any title in franchise history, according to Circana's Retail Tracking Service.
Reposted by John Welfare
Hardware - October spending on ASUS PC Portable hardware devices increased by 4.8x compared to a year ago and is now 30% higher year-to-date.
November 20, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Hardware - October spending on ASUS PC Portable hardware devices increased by 4.8x compared to a year ago and is now 30% higher year-to-date.
Reposted by John Welfare
Hardware - Nintendo Switch 2 sold 328k units in October. It is 68% ahead of the sales pace set by the original Nintendo Switch and is 3% ahead of PlayStation 4’s previous record velocity.
November 20, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Hardware - Nintendo Switch 2 sold 328k units in October. It is 68% ahead of the sales pace set by the original Nintendo Switch and is 3% ahead of PlayStation 4’s previous record velocity.
Reposted by John Welfare
Hardware - Video game hardware spending in October grew 36% when compared a year ago, to $351M. Switch 2 was again able to offset declines across Switch (-52% versus a year ago), Xbox Series (-37%) and PlayStation 5 (-22%).
November 20, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Hardware - Video game hardware spending in October grew 36% when compared a year ago, to $351M. Switch 2 was again able to offset declines across Switch (-52% versus a year ago), Xbox Series (-37%) and PlayStation 5 (-22%).
Reposted by John Welfare
Friendly reminder that October 2025 US video game market results from Circana will be released tomorrow at 9am Eastern.
Should be a fun one.
Should be a fun one.
November 19, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Friendly reminder that October 2025 US video game market results from Circana will be released tomorrow at 9am Eastern.
Should be a fun one.
Should be a fun one.
Steam Machine looks so clean
November 12, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Steam Machine looks so clean
Reposted by John Welfare
Happy 5th Anniversary to PlayStation 5!
PS5 is the 2nd fastest selling PlayStation device in US history (trailing only PS2) with 26.7M units sold through Oct 4th, 2025.
And here are the top 10 best-selling PS5 games ($), led by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
PS5 is the 2nd fastest selling PlayStation device in US history (trailing only PS2) with 26.7M units sold through Oct 4th, 2025.
And here are the top 10 best-selling PS5 games ($), led by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
November 12, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Happy 5th Anniversary to PlayStation 5!
PS5 is the 2nd fastest selling PlayStation device in US history (trailing only PS2) with 26.7M units sold through Oct 4th, 2025.
And here are the top 10 best-selling PS5 games ($), led by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
PS5 is the 2nd fastest selling PlayStation device in US history (trailing only PS2) with 26.7M units sold through Oct 4th, 2025.
And here are the top 10 best-selling PS5 games ($), led by Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Source: Circana Retail Tracking Service
Reposted by John Welfare
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Since the Democrats worked extra hard to hide who actually supported this, I think the No Kings/Resistance position should be to primary every Democrat unless they publicly call for Schumer's ouster this week
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Either they go into total rebellion mode, which they won't, or the people will
Bunch of coward fucks if this is true, you don't belong in politics.
The most corrupt, fascist admin in US history that the public hates and you side with the enemy to save their morale???
The most corrupt, fascist admin in US history that the public hates and you side with the enemy to save their morale???
My read of it (with very incomplete information) is scoring more political points would have required destroying Thanksgiving travel and at least 10 Dem Senators don’t have the stomach for that.
November 9, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Bunch of coward fucks if this is true, you don't belong in politics.
The most corrupt, fascist admin in US history that the public hates and you side with the enemy to save their morale???
The most corrupt, fascist admin in US history that the public hates and you side with the enemy to save their morale???
November 9, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Been collecting PSP and Vita sales stats and oh boy, figuring out Vita LTD is a chore
The earliest stats we have for it stumped me for awhile on how they fit with later info but turns out people back then didn't understand much either
Probably will make a thread on IB about it.
The earliest stats we have for it stumped me for awhile on how they fit with later info but turns out people back then didn't understand much either
Probably will make a thread on IB about it.
November 8, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Been collecting PSP and Vita sales stats and oh boy, figuring out Vita LTD is a chore
The earliest stats we have for it stumped me for awhile on how they fit with later info but turns out people back then didn't understand much either
Probably will make a thread on IB about it.
The earliest stats we have for it stumped me for awhile on how they fit with later info but turns out people back then didn't understand much either
Probably will make a thread on IB about it.
Reposted by John Welfare
Friendly reminder that a game meeting or beating expectations does not necessarily mean it sold better or worse than other games. Internal financial expectations and comparative performance between titles are different things.
November 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Friendly reminder that a game meeting or beating expectations does not necessarily mean it sold better or worse than other games. Internal financial expectations and comparative performance between titles are different things.
Video I made back in February about GTA VI's possible impact on console sales
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQOj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQOj...
GTA 6 won't boost PS5 sales
YouTube video by Welfare
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Video I made back in February about GTA VI's possible impact on console sales
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQOj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQOj...
BTW you will not see GTA VI boost console sales a year before PS6 and Xbox PC comes out.
November 2026 is so late in the cycle basically everyone has already bought the console that will have bought it.
November 2026 is so late in the cycle basically everyone has already bought the console that will have bought it.
November 6, 2025 at 9:17 PM
BTW you will not see GTA VI boost console sales a year before PS6 and Xbox PC comes out.
November 2026 is so late in the cycle basically everyone has already bought the console that will have bought it.
November 2026 is so late in the cycle basically everyone has already bought the console that will have bought it.
The second delay has hit
November 6, 2025 at 9:09 PM
The second delay has hit
If there's anything to be learned tonight, it's that there better be Dems with a spine ready to win in 2026. Just an absolute blue sweep across every major election tonight.
Fuck Trump and all that are currently ruining this country, get out of here.
Fuck Trump and all that are currently ruining this country, get out of here.
November 5, 2025 at 2:53 AM
If there's anything to be learned tonight, it's that there better be Dems with a spine ready to win in 2026. Just an absolute blue sweep across every major election tonight.
Fuck Trump and all that are currently ruining this country, get out of here.
Fuck Trump and all that are currently ruining this country, get out of here.