The world of gaming has seen many champions, but a few stand out in the hall of fame. From the revolutionary PlayStation 2 to the innovative Nintendo Switch, these Top 15 Best-selling Game Consoles of All Time have defined generations, bringing endless hours of entertainment into homes worldwide. Each console, with its unique features and iconic games, has left an indelible mark on the industry and gamers’ hearts.
Top 15 Best-selling Game Consoles of All Time
PlayStation 2
PS2 or The PlayStation 2, is a super popular video game console made by Sony. It hit the shelves between March and November 2000 across the world, following the success of Sony’s first PlayStation. This console was a big deal because it could do more than what most personal computers could at the time, thanks to its powerful Emotion Engine processor. What’s cool is that you could still use your old PlayStation games and controllers with it, making it a hit among gamers.
Everyone loved the PS2 when it came out, and it became the most sold video game console ever, with over 155 million units finding their way into homes worldwide. It had a massive library of over 4,000 games, and people bought more than 1.5 billion copies of these games! Sony kept making the PS2 smaller and lighter with a version called the PS2 Slim in 2004. Even after its successor, the PlayStation 3, came out, the PS2 was still popular and was made until 2013, making it one of the longest-lasting consoles out there.
Nintendo DS
The Nintendo DS, a cool handheld gaming device by Nintendo, hit the markets in 2004 and 2005. It was super unique because it had two screens (one you could touch!), a microphone, and let you play with others wirelessly. It looked a bit like the older Game Boy Advance SP but with more cool features. You could even play online with friends using a special Nintendo service. Originally, Nintendo didn’t plan for the DS to replace the Game Boy, but it was so popular and worked with Game Boy Advance games, so it became the new go-to handheld console.
In 2006, Nintendo made a sleeker version called the DS Lite, which was lighter and had better screens. Then in 2008, they brought out the DSi with some upgrades but dropped the Game Boy compatibility. They even made a bigger version, the DSi XL, in 2009. With over 154 million sold, the Nintendo DS became the top Nintendo console and the second most sold game console ever, just a bit behind the PlayStation 2. It led to the next Nintendo handheld, the 3DS, in 2011.
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch, launched by Nintendo in 2017, is a super cool gaming console that you can use in a bunch of different ways. It’s like a gaming tablet that you can plug into your TV to play games on the big screen, or you can take it with you to play on the go. The controllers, called Joy-Cons, are super versatile too. You can attach them to the console for handheld play, use them together as a regular controller, or split them up for two-player games. The Switch is all about playing games with friends, whether you’re sitting in the same room or playing online.
Nintendo made the Switch to bounce back from some tough times with their previous console, the Wii U. They wanted something that could appeal to everyone, from hardcore gamers to people who play games on their phones. The Switch uses some familiar tech to make it easier for game makers to bring their games to the console, which means lots of game choices for players. It’s been a huge hit, selling over 139 million units and becoming Nintendo’s best-selling home console ever. Big-name games like “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” and “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” have helped make the Switch super popular.
Game Boy And Game Boy Color
The Game Boy, released by Nintendo in 1989, was a game-changer in handheld gaming, blending elements from their NES console and Game & Watch devices. Sporting a simple dot-matrix screen and a grey color scheme, it might not have been flashy, but it was packed with fun. Sold with hit games like Super Mario Land and Tetris, it also came with cool accessories like a camera and a printer.
Critics were on the fence because it looked bulky and only showed games in black and white, especially when flashier color consoles from Sega, Atari, and NEC were around. However, the Game Boy beat the odds and flew off the shelves, selling over a million units in the U.S. in just weeks. Eventually, along with the Game Boy Color, it sold a staggering 118.69 million units globally. It wasn’t just a console; it was a 90s icon, remaining popular until production stopped in 2003, well after its successor, the Game Boy Advance, came out.
PlayStation 4
The PlayStation 4, also known as the PS4, is a video game console made by Sony. It came out in 2013 as the new and improved version after the PlayStation 3. It was made to be better and simpler to use, with a focus on letting players share their game play online and play on other devices too. The PS4 controller got a cool update with nicer buttons and a touchpad. This console can show super clear HD and 4K videos and games, which is pretty awesome.
People really liked the PS4 because Sony listened to what gamers wanted, like more indie games and not being too strict with game sharing. It became super popular, selling a ton of units and only second to the PlayStation 2 in sales. Sony kept making it better with slimmer and more powerful versions. Even after the PlayStation 5 came out, Sony promised to keep supporting the PS4 for a few more years, especially the Slim model.
PlayStation
The original PlayStation, or PS1, was a game-changing console by Sony that hit the scene in 1994. It was a big deal because it used CDs instead of game cartridges, which was pretty new for consoles at the time. Sony made it after a partnership with Nintendo didn’t work out, leading them to go solo and create something that really stood out in the gaming world. The PS1 was all about bringing 3D games to the living room, and it welcomed a ton of game developers to make games for it. This led to some epic games like Gran Turismo, Crash Bandicoot, and Final Fantasy becoming household names.
Kids and grown-ups alike loved the PlayStation for its cool games and affordable price. It sold a whopping 102.49 million units and had over 3,000 games made for it by the time Sony stopped making it in 2006. The PlayStation not only kicked off Sony’s entry into gaming but also paved the way for its successors, like the PlayStation 2, showing that Sony meant serious business in the gaming world.
Wii
The Nintendo Wii, launched in 2006, was a game-changing console that focused more on innovative gameplay than on powerful graphics, setting it apart from its rivals, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Its main attraction was the Wii Remote, a wireless controller that detected motion and gestures, making gaming more active and immersive. Nintendo aimed to attract a wide audience, including those who might not typically play video games.
The Wii was the first Nintendo console to connect to the internet for online gaming and downloading games. It was a huge hit right from the start, with games like Wii Sports becoming instant classics. By 2013, over 101 million units were sold, making it Nintendo’s best-selling home console until the Switch took over. The Wii introduced motion-controlled gaming to the world, influencing competitors to come up with their own versions. Nintendo tried to keep the momentum going with the Wii U and continued selling the Wii until 2013, with some services lasting until 2019.
PlayStation 3
The PlayStation 3 (PS3) was Sony’s big move in gaming consoles after the PS2. Released between 2006 and 2007 around the globe, it faced off against the Xbox 360 and Wii. The PS3 was special because it was the first to play Blu-ray discs, making it a hit for both gaming and watching movies. It also let players connect online with others and could be controlled by handheld devices like the PlayStation Portable. In 2009, Sony made a slimmer version of the PS3, which couldn’t play PS2 games but was lighter and had a cool new look. Even slimmer, the Super Slim model came out in 2012.
Early on, people weren’t too sure about the PS3 because it was expensive and a bit complex. However, as more games came out and prices dropped, it became more popular, eventually selling over 87.4 million units. Though it had a rough start, the PS3 ended up being a success story for Sony, leading up to the release of the PS4. Sony stopped making new PS3s in 2017, marking the end of its run.
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360, made by Microsoft, is the second console in the Xbox series and hit the market between 2005 and 2006. It was part of the big gaming family alongside rivals like Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo’s Wii. This console was known for its cool online features with Xbox Live, letting gamers play online, download games, and even stream music and movies. It wasn’t just about gaming; the Xbox 360 aimed to be the center of your living room entertainment with its multimedia capabilities.
Right from its launch, finding an Xbox 360 was tough due to its popularity and limited stock. However, it had a rough start with a common hardware problem known as the “Red Ring of Death,” leading Microsoft to extend warranties. The company improved things over time, releasing updated versions like the Xbox 360 S and Xbox 360 E. Despite its ups and downs, the Xbox 360 made a big impact on gaming, especially with its focus on online and digital media, selling over 84 million units. It was succeeded by the Xbox One in 2013, and Microsoft stopped making new Xbox 360 consoles in 2016, though it continued to support the platform until announcing the end of new game purchases for July 2024.
Game Boy Advance
The Game Boy Advance (GBA), launched by Nintendo in 2001, was a cool upgrade from the previous Game Boy Color. It was more powerful, thanks to being a 32-bit console, and it quickly caught the attention of gamers around the world. First released in Japan, it made its way to North America, Europe, and even China under the name iQue Game Boy Advance.
Nintendo didn’t stop with just one model. In 2003, they came out with the Game Boy Advance SP, which was even cooler because it had a light-up screen and could fold in half. Then, in 2005, they made a version with an even better screen. That same year, they also introduced the Game Boy Micro, a tiny version that was super portable. By 2010, Nintendo had sold a whopping 81.51 million of these gadgets globally. The Nintendo DS came next in 2004, and it was cool because you could still play all your favorite GBA games on it.
PlayStation Portable
The PlayStation Portable, or PSP, is a handheld gaming console made by Sony. It hit the scene in Japan in December 2004, and then landed in North America and Europe in 2005. This little gadget was a big deal because it was Sony’s first handheld console and it squared off against Nintendo’s DS. The PSP was pretty fancy for its time, boasting impressive graphics that made it more than just a game device; you could watch videos and listen to music on it, too.
It was unique because it used Universal Media Discs (UMD) for games and movies, something no other handheld console did. The PSP did well, selling over 80 million units and got praised for being a versatile entertainment device. Sony kept it going with several updated versions until they introduced its successor, the PlayStation Vita, in 2011. The PSP’s game store closed in 2016, and the last UMD factory shut down later that year, marking the end of an era for this iconic device.
Nintendo 3DS
The Nintendo 3DS is a cool handheld gaming console that Nintendo launched in 2011. It’s famous for letting you see 3D images without needing special glasses, which was pretty new for gaming gadgets. You could also play all your old Nintendo DS games on it because it was backward compatible. Gamers could enjoy features like StreetPass for swapping game info with people nearby, SpotPass for grabbing game data from the internet, and even playing with augmented reality using its cameras.
When it first came out, sales weren’t great, so Nintendo dropped the price from $249.99 to $169.99, and that move really helped. They even gave early buyers 20 free games as a thank you. This console was a big hit, selling over 75.94 million units. Nintendo made different versions of it, like the bigger 3DS XL, the cheaper 2DS without 3D, and the New 3DS with better tech and controls. Sadly, Nintendo stopped making the 3DS family in 2020 and closed down its online shop in 2023.
NES/Famicom
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), also known in Japan as the Family Computer (Famicom), is a classic game console from the 80s. Nintendo, the company behind hit arcade games like Donkey Kong, launched the NES in Japan in 1983 and brought it to the US in 1985. This console was pretty straightforward and budget-friendly, using cartridges to play games. It came with a controller that was inspired by Nintendo’s Game & Watch handhelds. The NES also had cool accessories, like the Zapper gun for playing shooting games such as Duck Hunt.
This console was a big deal because it helped bring video games back to life in the US after the market crashed in 1983. The NES made it common for companies to let other developers make games for their consoles. It’s remembered for introducing iconic games like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, which all started major game series. Later, the Super Nintendo took over, but the NES is still celebrated as one of the greatest game consoles ever.
Xbox One
The Xbox One, made by Microsoft, came out in 2013 as the new kid on the block after the Xbox 360. It’s part of the gaming world alongside rivals like the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo’s Wii U and Switch. The Xbox One was a big deal because it was not just about games; Microsoft called it an “all-in-one entertainment system,” aiming to take over your living room with games, movies, and even live TV.
It’s got a beefed-up controller compared to the old one, and it loves the internet, letting you share game clips and even stream games to Windows 10 devices. People liked the new controller and how the console didn’t make a lot of noise. However, some weren’t thrilled that games looked a bit better on the PlayStation 4. Over time, Microsoft gave the Xbox One a facelift with the Xbox One S and the more powerful Xbox One X, before moving on to the next big thing, the Xbox Series X and Series S, in 2020.
PlayStation 5
The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is Sony’s latest gaming console, launched in November 2020 as the follow-up to the PS4. It arrived with big improvements and cool new features. The PS5 comes in two types: one with a disc drive that plays Ultra HD Blu-ray discs and a Digital Edition for those who prefer to download games. In November 2023, Sony released slimmer versions of both models.
This console is really powerful, with a custom solid-state drive that makes games load super fast, and an AMD graphics processor that can show games in 4K resolution at super smooth frame rates. It even has special ray tracing tech for ultra-realistic lighting in games and a Tempest Engine for 3D sound that makes everything feel more immersive. The PS5’s new DualSense controller adds to the experience with its haptic feedback, making game actions feel more real. Plus, it’s compatible with tons of PS4 and PlayStation VR games, and there’s a new PlayStation VR2 headset for virtual reality gaming.
Also Read: 25 Best RPG Games of All Time (Role Playing Games)
