Video Games in the Netherlands

PRE-COVID-19 PERFORMANCE

Digital console games post highest growth in software in 2019 while hand-held consoles post highest growth in hardware

The videos games category registered a healthy increase in current value sales in 2019, bolstered by ongoing strong growth in the very considerable area of video game software. Ongoing new game releases and updated versions of popular games created high levels of excitement in 2019.

AR/VR headsets continue to be an interesting niche product in 2019

Considered niche products since arriving in the Netherlands only a few years ago with the launch of Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR, AR/VR headsets have nevertheless grown in popularity and, although growth rates slowed a bit in 2019, the products continued to see robust retail volume and current value sales growth. That growth was fostered by a raft of recent new product launches, including Sony’s PlayStation VR, HTC Vive and Facebook’s Oculus Rift.

Nintendo Benelux surpasses Activision Blizzard Benelux to take leadership in video games in 2019

With a big boost in value share, Nintendo Benelux overtook Activision Blizzard Benelux and its stable of popular games—Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Destiny, others—to become the value share leader in video games in 2019. Nintendo Benelux bounced back from a disappointing 2018 when it lost value share despite a strong performance in 2017 following the launch of the popular Nintendo Switch static console.

2020 AND BEYOND

COVID-19 impact

Sales of video games are now expected to grow by 5% in constant 2019 value terms in 2020 in light of the impact of COVID-19. This compares to a 6% rise in sales forecast in our 2019 edition of toys and games.

Affected products within video games

Sales of video games hardware are expected to rise significantly during 2020 as more consumers, both adults and children, seek to enhance their range of in-home entertainment. In particular, demand for static consoles, such as the relatively new and very popular Nintendo Switch, is expected to remain strong throughout the year.

Recovery and opportunities

Nearly all areas of the video games category are expected to see growth in 2021 and beyond, but sales performances are anticipated to vary. For example, sales of video games hardware, particularly static consoles, are projected to see steady declines.

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