Summary
- Meta Quest 3S outperforms Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch as the top-selling console on Amazon in 2024.
- The affordability and standalone nature of Meta Quest 3S make VR more accessible.
- The success of Meta Quest 3S on Amazon highlights a growing interest in virtual reality.
In 2024, the Meta Quest 3S emerged as the best-selling console on Amazon, surpassing established giants like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. This remarkable feat underscores the growing appeal of virtual reality (VR), especially since the Meta Quest 3S was launched in October of that year.
The Meta Quest 3S, a more budget-friendly version of the Meta Quest 3, offers a compelling entry point into VR. It provides a significant price reduction while still delivering a robust VR experience. This affordability, combined with an expanding library of games, has propelled the Meta Quest 3S to the forefront of Amazon's video game category, securing the #11 spot on the overall list of video games for the year. This list was predominantly occupied by gift cards and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, with the PlayStation 5 slim at #17 and the Nintendo Switch at #53. Notably, Xbox consoles did not make it into the top 80, though their peripherals did. The PlayStation 5 Pro and Sony's PlayStation VR 2 were also absent from the rankings. The only items that outperformed the Meta Quest 3S were a Nintendo-branded microSDXC card and the PlayStation DualSense wireless controller, at positions #8 and #9, respectively.
Meta Quest 3S Makes Virtual Reality More Accessible Than Ever
The Meta Quest 3S's standalone design is a key factor in its success. Unlike the PlayStation VR 2, which requires a connection to a PlayStation console, the Meta Quest 3S operates independently, allowing users to move freely without being tethered. This freedom, coupled with the absence of the need for a powerful PC or console, makes VR more accessible and appealing to a broader audience.
The Amazon best-seller list also featured the Meta Quest 2 at #27, while the original Meta Quest 3 did not make the top 80. This suggests that consumers are drawn to VR devices that offer a more affordable entry point. With the discontinuation of the Meta Quest 2 and the anticipated release of the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025, it will be fascinating to see how the rankings evolve. If Nintendo can replicate the success of its original Switch, it could dominate Amazon's video game sales in 2025. However, the 2024 results indicate that interest in virtual reality is on the rise.
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