18 Best Selling Video Game Consoles In The Market

The PlayStation 2, launched in 2000, is the best-selling console of all time, selling a staggering 155 million units worldwide. 

Even after its official 2013 farewell, the PS2's influence is undeniable. Its spirit lives on in modern consoles, its games remain beloved classics, and its place as the best-selling console of all time is secure.

The PS2 had such a long lifespan that it outlived its successor, the PS3, in terms of active production.

• Best-selling game: Grand Theft Auto: San Andrea
• Lifespan: 2000–2013 (13 years)
• Developer: Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Units Sold: 155 million plus 

Forget one screen, the Nintendo DS offered two, igniting a revolution in handheld gaming. Launched in 2004, it wasn't just about pixels; it was about touch controls, stylus action, and a unique social experience. 

With 154.02 million units sold, the DS isn't just a best-seller, it's the best-selling handheld console ever. With over 391.74 million games sold, the DS library boasts more individual titles than any other console.

• North America release date: November 21, 2004
• Best-selling game: New Super Mario Bros
• Developer: Nintendo
• Units Sold: 154.02 million

The Nintendo Switch launched in 2017, seamlessly morphs from a living room powerhouse to an on-the-go playground. Its intuitive Joy-Con controllers and dock-and-go design blur the lines between home and mobile, appealing to both hardcore gamers and casual adventurers.

The Switch OLED model, released in 2021, has become the console's top-selling iteration, proving its continued market dominance.

• Release date: March 3, 2017
• Lifespan: 2017-present
• Best-selling game: New Super Mario Bros
• Developer: Nintendo Platform Technology Development
• Units Sold: 132.46 million

The Game Boy and Game Boy Color launched in 1989 and 1998 respectively, these iconic handhelds captured hearts (and thumbs) with their pixelated charm and addictive gameplay.

The original Game Boy's brick-like design housed classics like Tetris, Super Mario Land, and Pokémon Red & Blue, games that became cultural touchstones.

The Game Boy Color breathed new life into the platform with its vibrant palettes, paving the way for Pokémon Gold & Silver, one of the series' most beloved chapters.

Game Boy & Game Boy Color

• North American release date: July 31, 1989, November 18, 1998 (GBC)
• Lifespan(GB): 1989–2003
• Best-selling game(GB): Tetris
• Best-selling game(GBC): Pokémon Gold and Silver
• Developer: Nintendo R&D 1
• Units Sold: 118.69 million (GB & GBC)

The PlayStation 4, launched in 2013, redefined what home consoles could achieve, selling over 117 million units worldwide.

From sprawling open-world adventures like Grand Theft Auto V and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt to heart-wrenching narratives like The Last of Us Part II and God of War, the PS4 had something for everyone.

• North American release date: November 15, 2013
• Lifespan: 2013–present
• Best-selling game: Marvel's Spider-Man
• Developer:  Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Units Sold: 117.2 million

The PlayStation, released in 1994, was the first console to ship over 100 million units, a feat it achieved in 2002. The original PlayStation controller, the DualShock, was a groundbreaking innovation, introducing analog sticks and vibration feedback to console gaming.

From charming platformers like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon to heart-stopping thrillers like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, the PS1 had something for everyone. 

• North American release date: 9 September 1995
• Lifespan: 1994–2006]
• Best-selling game: Gran Turismo
• Developer:  Sony Computer Entertainment
• Units Sold: 102.49 million

The Wii, launched in 2006, ditched traditional controllers for waving Wiimotes and Nunchuks, selling over 101.6 million units and redefining what it meant to "play" together.

This console targeted everyone! Grandma could swing a virtual tennis racket in Wii Sports, kids could unleash their inner swordsman in Wii Sports Resort, and families could laugh in unison while bowling like Mii avatars in Wii Fit.

Simple controls, accessible games, and an infectious brand of active fun transformed living rooms into interactive playgrounds.

• North American release date: November 19, 2006
• Lifespan: 2006–2013 (Original)
• Best-selling game: Pack-in: Wii Sports, Stand-alone: Mario Kart Wii
• Developer: Nintendo Integrated Research & Development
• Units Sold: 101.63 million

The PlayStation 3 (PS3), it was a multimedia behemoth, a Blu-ray pioneer, and a playground for groundbreaking games. Launched in 2006, it sold over 87.4 million units and left a lasting mark on the gaming landscape.

The PS3 was the first PlayStation console to support full high-definition (1080p) gaming. The original PS3 model, nicknamed "the Fat Lady," was notoriously large and expensive, leading to several slimmer and more affordable revisions.

• North American release date: November 17, 2006
• Lifespan: 2006–2017
• Best-selling game: Grand Theft Auto V
• Developer:  Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Units Sold: 87.4 million+

The Xbox 360, was more than just a console; it was a portal to online gaming revolutionized. Launched in 2005, this green warrior brought high-definition visuals, robust wireless controllers, and the groundbreaking Xbox Live service to homes worldwide.

Even after its official 2013 sunset, the 360's influence echoes in today's consoles. Online gaming is now standard, controllers have embraced wireless freedom, and motion controls continue to evolve. 

• Release date: November 22, 2005
• Lifespan: 2005–2016 
• Best-selling game:  Kinect Adventures as a pack-in game for Kinect
• Developer: Microsoft 
• Units Sold: 84 million+

Launched in 2001, the Game Boy Advance brought 32-bit graphics, advanced sound, and innovative features like shoulder buttons to the handheld world, selling over 81.51 million units.

It replaced the pixelated worlds of old with vibrant landscapes and detailed characters in classics like The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap and Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen.

The GBA was backwards compatible with Game Boy Color games, offering a vast library of classics to explore alongside new releases.

• North American release date: June 11, 2001
• Lifespan: 2001 - 2004
• Best-selling game: Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
• Developer: Nintendo R&D
• Units Sold: 81.51 million

the PlayStation Portable (PSP) slipped gaming into your pocket. Launched in 2004, this sleek silver marvel defied handheld limitations, selling over 80 million units and rewriting the rules of mobile entertainment.

The PSP sported a crisp screen, powerful processor, and the iconic analog stick, letting you dive into visually stunning worlds like God of War: Chains of Olympus and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.

• North American release date: March 24, 2005
• Lifespan:  2004–2014
• Best-selling game: Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
• Developer:  Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Units Sold: 80–82 million estimated

The Nintendo 3DS, launched in 2011, boasted the ability to display 3D visuals without the need for special glasses, offering an immersive experience unlike anything seen before. 

The 3DS's defining feature was its autostereoscopic 3D screen, which created the illusion of depth without requiring 3D glasses. 

Beyond the 3D gimmick,  the console also boasted a powerful processor, dual screens (one touchscreen, one traditional), and a variety of innovative features like a built-in camera, gyroscope, and accelerometer. 

• North American release date: March 27, 2011
• Lifespan:  2011–2020
• Best-selling game: Mario Kart 7
• Developer: Nintendo Research & Engineering 
• Units Sold: 75.94 million

Launched in 1985 (NES) and 1983 (Famicom), the NES's charm lay in its simplicity. Its blocky characters and catchy chiptune music wove worlds of pure fun, where Mario battled Bowser, Mega Man blasted robots, and Donkey Kong taunted from above.

Games like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid became timeless classics, establishing iconic characters and gameplay mechanics that resonated across generations.

The NES launched the careers of countless game developers, including Shigeru Miyamoto, Sid Meier, and Will Wright.

• North American release date: October 18, 1985
• Lifespan: 1983–2003 (Famicom), 1985–1995 (US)
• Best-selling game: Pack-in: Super Mario Bros, Stand-alone: Super Mario Bros. 2
• Developer: Nintendo R&D2
• Units Sold: 61.91 million

The Xbox One boasted a powerful processor and robust graphics capabilities, delivering stunning visuals in titles like Halo 5: Guardians and Forza Horizon 4.

The Xbox One was originally bundled with the Kinect sensor, though it became an optional accessory later in its lifespan. A more powerful iteration of the console the Xbox One X, was released in 2017, offering enhanced graphics and performance.

• North American release date: November 22, 2013
• Lifespan: 2013 - 2020
• Best-selling game: PUBG: Battlegrounds
• Developer:  Microsoft
• Units Sold: 58 million

Launched in 2020, the PlayStation 5 (PS5), with its innovative DualSense controller and lightning-fast SSD, boasts 50 million units sold and has already made a significant mark on the industry.

The PS5's design was inspired by Japanese Kumiko woodworking, with its curved white panels forming a striking yet elegant silhouette.

• North American release date: November 12, 2020
• Lifespan: 2020–present
• Best-selling game: Marvel's Spider-Man 2
• Developer: Sony Interactive Entertainment
• Units Sold: 50 million

The SNES/Super Famicom, this iconic 16-bit console, released in 1990 in Japan and 1991 in North America, wasn't just a gaming machine; it was a cultural phenomenon.

With its vibrant 16-bit graphics, catchy chiptune music, and legendary games, it propelled Nintendo to the top of the gaming world and left an indelible mark on the industry.

• North American release date: August 23, 1991
• Lifespan: 1990–2005
• Best-selling game: Pack-in: Super Mario World, Stand-alone: Street Fighter II: The World Warrior
• Developer: Nintendo R&D2
• Units Sold: 49.1 million

The Game & Watch wasn't just a game; it was a revolution in miniature. Launched in 1980 by Nintendo visionary Gunpei Yokoi, this pocket-sized marvel combined gaming, timekeeping, and even an alarm in a way never seen before, selling over 43.4 million units and paving the way for modern handheld gaming.

While the Game & Watch's reign ended in 1991, its influence lives on. Its simple yet addictive gameplay inspired generations of handheld devices, from the Game Boy to the Nintendo Switch. Its focus on portability and accessibility helped shape the mobile gaming landscape we know today.

• Release date: April 28, 1980 
• Lifespan: 1980 - 1991 (Original Series)
• Best-selling game: Donkey Kong
• Developer: Nintendo R&D1
• Units Sold: 43.4 million

In 1996, the Nintendo 64 burst onto the scene, trading in pixels for polygons and ushering in a new era of 3D gaming.

Titles like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and GoldenEye 007 pushed the boundaries of what consoles could achieve, immersing players in vibrant worlds and thrilling adventures.

Though production ended in 2002, the N64's influence remains. Its 3D innovations paved the way for modern graphics, its iconic games are still cherished by retro enthusiasts, and its controller's unique design still inspires experimentation in the industry.

• North American release date: September 29, 1996
• Lifespan: 1996–2002
• Best-selling game: Super Mario 64
• Developer: Nintendo
• Units Sold: 32.93 million