Russian Console Market Sees Significant Growth in First Half of 2025
A recent report from Russian electronics retailer M.Video-Eldorado reveals that consumers in Russia spent approximately 12 billion rubles (around $130 million USD) on gaming consoles during the first half of 2025. The data highlights a notable surge in demand for portable gaming devices, with Nintendo and Valve leading the charge in this growing segment.
Nintendo's market share in terms of revenue climbed from 5% in the previous year to 8%. Much of this growth was observed in the second quarter, largely due to the successful launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders for the new console reportedly exceeded M.Video-Eldorado's initial allocations on two separate occasions. The bundle featuring Mario Kart World proved particularly popular, selling nearly twice as well as the base version of the console.
Valve also saw its market share increase, rising from 7% to 10.9%, as demand for the Steam Deck continued to grow steadily throughout the period.
Market Leaders and Overall Sales Figures
Overall, Russian consumers purchased approximately 655,000 gaming consoles during the first six months of 2025. While portable consoles showed strong growth, Sony maintained its position as the revenue leader, capturing 64.9% of the market in monetary terms. However, in terms of unit sales, Sony accounted for 21.8% of the total. Microsoft held 7% of the market in revenue and 3% in unit sales.
According to Sergey Mezin, Head of Gaming at M.Video-Eldorado, the market is entering a new phase. He anticipates that the trend towards portable gaming devices will only intensify among manufacturers in the coming years.
What This Means for Gamers
This report underscores a significant shift in the Russian gaming landscape, with portable consoles gaining substantial traction. For players, this trend could mean more emphasis from developers and manufacturers on handheld experiences, potentially leading to a wider variety of portable-friendly titles and innovative hardware in the future. The success of devices like the Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck indicates a strong consumer appetite for gaming on the go, which is likely to shape the market for some time.
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