US gamers play on Xbox One more than Xbox Series X|S: Survey highlights Microsoft’s struggles in one of its most important markets

The current Xbox generation has been a commercial disappointment, and Microsoft hasn’t even managed to stand out in its home market: the United States. The Xbox Series X|S consoles got off to a promising start, but poor decisions and changing market trends have taken their toll.

Microsoft is now preparing for the launch of a new generation, Project Helix, while its gaming business faces an increasingly difficult situation.

Beyond what Microsoft says about the state of its console business, the numbers tell a different story. A recent survey revealed just how challenging the current console landscape is, to the point that more US gamers are playing on Xbox One than on Xbox Series X|S.

Survey highlights the difficult situation for Xbox Series X|S in the US

Xbox is not having an easy time in its home market, and its current situation is a far cry from the era of Xbox 360, Microsoft’s most successful console to date.

A Statista survey, conducted among 3,200 US gamers, asked participants which consoles they currently prefer for gaming.

The results highlight the strong preference for PlayStation consoles in the United States. PS5 is the most popular console, followed by PS4, with some players still using PS3.

Nintendo also remains a major player thanks to the popularity of Switch and Switch 2, while older systems such as Wii, Wii U, DS, and 3DS continue to have an audience.

Microsoft, meanwhile, ranks at the bottom with its three most recent console generations. However, one particular detail stands out: Xbox One has a slight lead over Xbox Series X|S among the surveyed players.

Can Project Helix turn things around?

As far as the current Xbox generation is concerned, the writing may already be on the wall. Microsoft will continue supporting Xbox Series X|S, and many of its upcoming games will launch on the consoles, but its position in the market appears difficult to reverse, especially following the recent price increases.

The company is already looking toward the future. Under the leadership of Asha Sharma, Microsoft plans to make hardware a central part of its next era. Project Helix is expected to combine the traditional console experience with PC functionality.

However, Xbox may need to rely on other pillars as well, including cloud gaming. Analysts have warned that Sony and Microsoft’s next-generation consoles could cost at least $1,000, while Sharma recently highlighted the arrival of the Xbox app on Hisense TVs and other devices running the VIDAA operating system.

Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox will face a major challenge, including on the financial side. The company is reportedly losing $150 on every Xbox Series X|S console sold, raising further questions about the strategy behind its next hardware generation.

For now, Xbox Series X|S still has plenty of life left, but this survey paints an unfavorable picture for Microsoft in the United States. If Project Helix is going to turn things around, the company will have to find a way to regain the attention of players in its own backyard.