10 Best-Selling Video Game Consoles of All Time

From the first clunky home consoles that brought arcade classics into living rooms to modern hybrid systems you can play on the couch or on the go, the video game industry has shipped billions of devices globally. But which systems actually top the all-time sales charts? We’ve compiled the 10 best-selling video game consoles of all time using verified lifetime sales data from manufacturers and industry trackers, plus a breakdown of what made each one a hit with gamers worldwide.

How We Ranked These Consoles

All sales figures below are official lifetime numbers reported directly by console manufacturers, with no third-party estimates or projections included. We only counted standalone console sales, excluding peripheral bundles or limited-edition variants that did not contribute to core unit counts. Consoles still in production (like the Nintendo Switch) have sales figures current as of March 2024.

The 10 Best-Selling Video Game Consoles of All Time

1. PlayStation 2 (2000–2013) – 155.0 Million Units Sold

Sony’s PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling video game console in history, a title it’s held for over a decade. It was the first console to hit 100 million sales, eventually shipping 155 million units before discontinuing in 2013.

• Built-in DVD player drove adoption among non-gamers, making it a must-have home entertainment device
• Full backward compatibility with PlayStation 1 games, preserving access to existing libraries
• Massive 10,000+ title library, including genre-defining hits like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Final Fantasy X, and Metal Gear Solid 2

2. Nintendo DS (2004–2013) – 154.02 Million Units Sold

The Nintendo DS narrowly misses the top spot, shipping just under 1 million fewer units than the PS2. Its innovative dual-screen, touchscreen design appealed to both casual and hardcore gamers, setting a new standard for portable gaming.

• Bundled hits like Brain Age and Nintendogs drew in non-traditional gamers, expanding the market
• Pokémon Diamond and Pearl sold over 30 million copies combined, driving portable sales
• Two screen design enabled unique gameplay mechanics, from stylus-based drawing to dual-window exploration

3. Nintendo Switch (2017–Present) – 125.3 Million Units Sold (and counting)

The only console still in active production on this list, the Nintendo Switch is a hybrid portable/home system that redefined how gamers play. It surged in sales during the 2020 pandemic, buoyed by the massive success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

• Detachable Joy-Con controllers and dock allow seamless switching between portable and TV play
• First-party hits like Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (the best-selling Switch game, with 55 million sales) drive consistent adoption
• At its current sales pace, it could surpass the DS and PS2 to take the top spot within 2–3 years

4. Game Boy / Game Boy Color (1989–2003) – 118.69 Million Units Sold

Nintendo’s first mass-market portable console, the Game Boy, kicked off the handheld gaming revolution. Combined with the later Game Boy Color, it remains one of the highest-selling gaming devices ever.

• Tetris was bundled with all original Game Boy units, becoming one of the best-selling games of all time
• Affordable price point ($109.99 at launch, equivalent to ~$240 today) and 15+ hour battery life made it accessible to most households
• Pokémon Red and Blue launched on the Game Boy Color, sparking a global franchise that still drives sales today

5. PlayStation 4 (2013–2020) – 117.2 Million Units Sold

Sony’s PS4 dominated the eighth console generation, outselling its rival Xbox One by nearly 2-to-1. It focused on gamer-friendly features and strong third-party support, winning back fans after the slower start of the PS3.

• Free online multiplayer (unlike Xbox Live’s paid model at the time) drew in budget-conscious gamers
• Exclusive hits like God of War (2018), Uncharted 4, and Bloodborne drove hardware adoption
• PS Plus subscription service added value with free monthly games and cloud saves

6. PlayStation (PS1) (1994–2006) – 102.49 Million Units Sold

The original PlayStation marked Sony’s entry into the console market, and it quickly dethroned Nintendo’s SNES as the top home console. It was the first mass-market console to use CDs instead of cartridges, slashing game production costs.

• Final Fantasy VII popularized Japanese RPGs in Western markets, selling over 10 million copies
• Gran Turismo set a new standard for racing games, with 10 million copies sold
• Lower game development costs for CDs led to a massive library of third-party titles

7. Wii (2006–2013) – 101.63 Million Units Sold

Nintendo’s Wii redefined the console market with motion controls, targeting casual gamers and families rather than traditional hardcore audiences. It was the first Nintendo console to hit 100 million sales.

• Wii Sports was bundled with all consoles, introducing motion gaming to millions of non-gamers
• Affordable $249 launch price undercut the PS3 and Xbox 360 by $100+
• Exclusive hits like Super Mario Galaxy and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess kept core gamers engaged

8. PlayStation 3 (2006–2017) – 87.4 Million Units Sold

The PS3 had a slow start due to a high $499 launch price and complex architecture for developers, but it eventually gained traction with strong exclusive titles and built-in Blu-ray support.

• Built-in Blu-ray player drove adoption as streaming services and HD home video grew in popularity
• The Last of Us and the Uncharted series became critical and commercial hits, driving late-cycle sales
• Free online multiplayer remained a key differentiator from Xbox Live

9. Xbox 360 (2005–2013) – 84.0 Million Units Sold

Microsoft’s second console (and first major hit) established the Xbox brand as a top competitor to Sony and Nintendo. It popularized online console gaming with Xbox Live.

• Xbox Live set the standard for online console gaming, with features like party chat and digital game downloads
• Exclusive franchises like Halo 3 and Gears of War drove hardcore gamer adoption
• Early "Red Ring of Death" hardware failures hurt sales, but Microsoft replaced faulty units for free, rebuilding trust

10. Game Boy Advance (2001–2010) – 81.51 Million Units Sold

The Game Boy Advance (GBA) was Nintendo’s first 32-bit portable console, offering improved graphics and backward compatibility with original Game Boy games.

• Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire sold over 16 million copies combined, driving portable sales
• Advance Wars and Super Mario Advance series brought classic Nintendo franchises to portable play
• Small form factor and 15+ hour battery life made it a favorite for commuters and travel

What Makes a Console a Best-Seller?

Looking at the top 10 best-selling video game consoles, a few common traits stand out: strong first-party game libraries, unique hardware features that differentiate from competitors, accessible price points, and broad appeal beyond hardcore gamers. Nintendo dominates the list with 6 entries, thanks to its focus on portable gaming and family-friendly titles, while Sony takes 4 spots with its emphasis on third-party support and home entertainment features. Microsoft only has one entry (the Xbox 360) in the top 10, as its newer consoles have not yet hit the same sales milestones.

Which of these iconic consoles is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!