What is the best video game console ever? How do you determine something like that? As with many of these retro-inspired pieces, be they video games or cartoons, nostalgia plays a big part in the discussion. For example, the Super Nintendo may be my favorite system for many reasons. First and foremost, it was the first console I could truly call my own. I remember coming home from kindergarten on my birthday and opening my package with him. From the age of five, I knew this was a big deal. playedsuper mario worldall day and at that point all day was probably 7 or 8. It also has some of the best games ever made on the system like the ones aboveSuper Mario World, Chrono Trigger, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Final Fantasy VI,etc.
On other days of the week I can mention the PS2 as my favorite. It was the first console I bought with my own money and the savings were great. It was even better when I reached my goal and found the PS2 just lost $100 so I could buy two games with it. Nostalgia aside, every console has its merits. So to break this down in the best and least biased way; I decided to rank these twenty-five consoles by their sales figures. The results may surprise you. Let the console wars begin!
THEGAMER-VIDEO DES TAGES
25 Sega Dreamcast (9.13 million)
The Sega Dreamcast has one of the shortest lives in video game history. Not the slightest mind you, but pretty bad. Anyway, it was released on November 27, 1998 in Japan and just a year later in the West. It was discontinued worldwide on March 31, 2001, which means it has been active for less than three years! That's terrible, but it explains why it sold so poorly. It was released ahead of time, but when the PS2 came out, it didn't stand a chance.
24 Sega Saturn (9.26 million)
Our second lowest console is also from Sega. The Sega Saturn was released on November 22, 1994 in Japan and a year later in the West. At least it's had a better shelf life since it was discontinued no later than 2000. However, six years and just over nine million consoles is pretty ridiculous, at least when compared to the Dreamcast, which made as many sales in about half the year. time. Simply put, Sega rushed this, which led to its failure.
23 Sega Game Gear (10.62 million)
Wow, would you watch this? It's a different Sega console. The Sega Game Gear was released on October 6, 1990 in Japan and a year later in the West. Weirdly, it was discontinued in Japan in 1997, but not until 2001 for the West.
I think we like it better than Japan as we gave it another four years despite the lack of new games. That said, it's pretty embarrassing to be supported for 11 years and not even receive anything comparable to a million a year.
22 Sega Master System (13 million)
The Sega Master System was released in Japan on October 20, 1985 and in the West a year later. The numbers conflict with this one, which suggests somewhere between 10 and 13 million. For the purposes of this article, I will assume 13 million. Why? The console is still huge in Brazil. I'm not kidding. They love it and consoles and games are still selling! It's not that Brazil doesn't have access to newer consoles like the PS4. Citizens love it!
21 Wii U (13.56 million)
Thankfully, we've climbed out of the Sega hole and can now poke fun at Nintendo. Oh, sorry, I mean a report on Nintendo. Umm, anyway, the Wii U was released on November 18, 2012 in the west and pretty much everywhere else a little later in 2012. Except Brazil. I don't think they needed it because of the Sega Master system. It was only discontinued last year. It wasn't exactly the console that stood out the most, but its games were incredible like few others.
20 PlayStation Vita (15 million)
The PlayStation Vita was released in Japan on December 17, 2011 and in the West a year later. Apparently, no one can agree on the sales figures. It should be between 10 and 15 million.
It's the little system that could.
In 2017, Glixel reported that it sold 15 million in the high-end segment, but there are other sites saying it was less. I will choose to believe in the high end as a PS Vita supporter and because Glixel is a good source. The console is scheduled to be discontinued in 2019.
19 Nintendo Switch (19.67 million)
Our seventh console also belongs to this generation. The Nintendo Switch was released worldwide on March 3, 2017. Needless to say, luckily it has not been discontinued and its track record thus far should prove it to be one of the best selling consoles of all time as it continues to break records for Nintendo and the video game industry. Building a handheld hybrid for the console makes sense, and it's amazing that it took so long. There's a reason people yell "PIOTS" or "Put it on the switch"!
18 GameCube (21.74 million)
The GameCube was released on September 14, 2001 in Japan and two months later in the West. In lasted a good six years before production finally ended worldwide in 2007. It's pretty easy to see why. I mean, the Wii was basically two GameCubes stuck together. That's the joke anyway. Seriously, even if the Wii, released in 2006, could run GameCube games, it made sense to stop. Like the Wii U, it was powerful in games but not in sales.
17 Xbox (24 million)
The original Xbox, really the first, was released on November 15, 2001 in the West and in 2002 everywhere else. It surprisingly remained alive until 2009, which was already four years into the Xbox 360's lifecycle.
No one liked the duke...
As you can see from the sales, it has outperformed the GameCube. Why did this and its Nintendo counterpart sell so poorly? I think it's pretty obvious at this point: the PS2.
16 Sega Genesis (30.75 million)
The Sega Genesis did what Nintendo couldn't. That's true if we're talking about sales, as it had a weaker track record than its rival, the Super Nintendo. Anyway, the console was released on October 29, 1988 in Japan and a year later in the West. It, like its predecessor, the Sega Master System, was supported long before it was discontinued in 1999. It may not have been my favorite 16-bit console, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't have any good games.
15 Nintendo 64 (32.93 million)
While the Super Nintendo may have beaten the Sega Genesis, it wasn't far behind another Nintendo classic, also known as the Nintendo 64. If the numbers are to be believed, there's only a difference of around 2 million units. Now it was released on June 23, 1996 in Japan and a few months later in the West. It was discontinued worldwide in 2002, which seems like it's been since the GameCube's launch in 2001. Thanks to unsuccessful deals and exclusives going to Sony like Final Fantasy VII, this really was Nintendo's first big mistake.
14 Xbox One (39.1 million)
The launch of the Xbox One feels so new to me, but it's been five years. Xbox One was released in the West on November 22, 2013. Sales include all revisions like Xbox One S and Xbox One X, just for clarification.
As you'll see later, it's not quite as successful as its current counterpart, the PS4. It failed in many ways, such as its infrastructure, which they had to hastily recalculate. Also, remember it launched with a new Kinect? Talk about a bad call.
13 Super Nintendo (49.10 million)
The Super Nintendo is one of my all-time favorite consoles, if not my favorite. The sentiment is shared by many, and with good reason. However, for such a respected system, those numbers seem low to me. Anyway, the console was released in Japan on November 21, 1990 as the Super Famicom. It was renamed the Super Nintendo when it was released in the West a year later. All regions after that point would share the same name for future Nintendo consoles. Incidentally, it was discontinued in Japan in 2003 at the latest.
12 Nintendo Entertainment System (61.91 million)
The Famicom was released in Japan on July 15, 1983. Two years later, with some revisions, it was renamed the Nintendo Entertainment System. The controllers were not connected to the console, nor was there a speaker on the controller. Here's another crazy fact. The system was discontinued the same day as the SNES in Japan on September 25, 2003. That's twenty years after publication! Needless to say, it was very popular and was responsible for a veritable restart of the video game industry after the Atari 2600 crash.E.T. the alien.
11 Nintendo 3DS (72.89 million)
The Nintendo 3DS was released in Japan on February 26, 2011, a month later in the West. It was almost a disappointment. Nintendo's arrogance stemmed from two successful consoles, also known as the DS and the Wii. They initially sold it for $250 with a poor game selection.
3D without glasses as it should be.
Due to poor initial sales, this forced Nintendo to drop the price to $180 this summer. Lucky owners before that time even got some special Game Boy Advance games. Thanks to that quick strategy, it is now successful.
10 Game Boy Advance (81.51 million)
The Game Boy went through many revisions such as the Game Boy Color which was a minor improvement. The first true successor to the portable giant was the Game Boy Advance, released on March 21, 2001 in Japan and a few months later in the West. If you recall, 2001 is also the year the GameCube was released in Japan. If you remember too, it only sold 21.74 million in its lifetime, but the GBA, with a similar margin, sold four times as many. That fact alone makes the GameCube seem more disappointing than it was.
9 PlayStation Portable (82 milhões)
The Game Boy Advance was successful, yes, but not as successful as Sony's first handheld, also known as the PlayStation Portable or PSP. It was released on December 12, 2004 in Japan and a few months later in 2005 for the West. I know it's considered a flop in the West, but it sold incredibly well in Japan. One of the main reasons was the release of Monster Hunter Freedom. I can't begin to describe the dedication to this series in Japan. Anyway, it was only discontinued in 2014.
8 PlayStation 4 (82.2 million)
As with the Xbox One, it seems hard to believe that the PS4 is five years old. It was released in the West on November 15, 2013. That was a full week before the Xbox One and it retailed for just $400, which was $100 off. Is that why the PS4 was more successful?
This is the opposite of the last generation.
Well, those two factors were a big factor, but the Xbox One also had a lot of other crazy things. Here's the big question. What will win between Xbox Two and PS5?
7 PlayStation 3 (83.8 million)
It's pretty clear that the PS4 "won" this generation of consoles, but the verdict changed last generation with the Xbox 360 and PS3. The PS3 was released in Japan on November 11, 2006 and in the West just a week later. The year and price contributed to the system's slow start, as well as earning must-have exclusive items. Sony ended up flipping things around, with the two systems close at their ends. The PS3 was only discontinued last year.
6 Xbox 360 (84 million)
Well, as I suggested earlier, the Xbox 360 was seen as the winner of the last generation. The console was introduced in the West on November 22, 2005. I usually only recommend the Western or Japanese version, although these consoles have been made available in other places such as Australia and Europe. Those are the other two big areas for most of these entries. Despite this, the Xbox 360 was so successful because it pushed boundaries and was introduced in places where consoles normally didn't exist. The console was discontinued worldwide two years ago, in 2016.
FAQs
What is the number 1 selling game console of all time? ›
PlayStation 2 – 159 million*
*PlayStation 2 remains the best-selling video game console of all time. Sony's beloved system tops Nintendo DS by roughly 5 million units sold, while handily outselling every other console in existence.
Atari 5200
The console sold only a little over a million units.
Why we picked the PlayStation 5: With lightning-fast load speeds, a new controller, and a phenomenal lineup of titles (including fan favorites and new exclusives), the PS5 is the best plug-and-play gaming platform available.
What is the greatest game console of all time? ›- Nintendo's Transitional Fossil. Nintendo Wii U. ...
- Microsoft's Current Contender. Microsoft Xbox Series X. ...
- Today's Hardest to Find Console. ...
- The Ultimate Family Console. ...
- Lowkey Legend. ...
- The Online Console Blueprint. ...
- The OG Grown Up Console. ...
- Nintendo's Groundbreaker.
- PlayStation 2 — 157 million. The PS2 was, without a doubt, the bestselling gaming console ever.
- PlayStation 4 — 117 million. Best Buy. ...
- Nintendo Switch — 107 million. ...
- PlayStation — 102 million. ...
- Nintendo Wii — 101 million. ...
- PlayStation 3 — 87 million. ...
- Xbox 360 — 85 million. ...
- Nintendo Entertainment System — 61 million. ...
Per a roundup from Tweak Town, PlayStation soared above Xbox in 2022, earning $8.8 billion more in its games division. This isn't surprising, however, it's very possible that the greens will have a much stronger year thanks to a scattering of anticipated games.
Which console is rare? ›The original PlayStation is one of the best-selling consoles of all time. However, the 10 Million Edition PS1 is one of the rarest console variants of all time. Sony only released 100 of these limited edition consoles in 1997 in celebration of selling ten million PS1 systems.
What is the easiest game console? ›The easiest console to find right now is also the most popular. The Nintendo Switch is a nice console with fun games and few downsides, and it's a favorite among Wirecutter staffers—both the casual players and the video game pros.
Are most consoles sold at a loss? ›Of course, console manufacturers often sell consoles at a loss - with the usual exception of Nintendo. It's a widely accepted business practice to then recoup money elsewhere, such as from software sales (where platform holders take a cut) and subscriptions, such as Xbox Games Pass.
Which console to buy 2023? ›The PlayStation 5 delivers the most stunning graphics and seamless performance of any current-gen console. The PlayStation 5 delivers the most stunning graphics and seamless performance of any current-gen gaming console.
Is Xbox or PS5 better? ›
The Xbox Series X has a more powerful GPU, capable of 12 teraflops of computing power compared to 10.3 teraflops on PS5. The Xbox Series X also has a slightly faster CPU at 3.8GHz than the PS5's 3.5GHz CPU. Other than that, though, the systems are a close match when it comes to power.
Did the PS4 outsell the Xbox One? ›Microsoft finally acknowledged for the first time what many have already known for years: that Sony's PlayStation 4 drastically outsold its Xbox One.
Who is Nintendo's biggest rival? ›Nintendo's competitors and similar companies include Electronic Arts, Zynga, Activision Blizzard, CCP Games and Bandai Namco.
What are the top 10 most sold video games of all time? ›- Pokemon Gen 1 – 47 million. ...
- Super Mario Bros. – 48 million. ...
- Overwatch – 50 million. ...
- Red Dead Redemption 2 – 50 million+ ...
- Mario Kart 8 + Deluxe – 60.46 million. ...
- PUBG – 75 million. ...
- Wii Sports – 82.9 million. ...
- Grand Theft Auto V – 175 million+
The Playstation 2 sold 155 million units during its run from 2000 to 2012. The Switch has sold between 100 and 110 million units as of February 2022 and there's probably 3 to 5 years left in its lifespan, so it's possible it may dethrone Playstation 2 as the best selling game system ever.
Is Xbox losing money on Series S? ›Not long after Microsoft confirmed Xbox console sales for the first time in ages, the company now admitted they're losing money on every console sold. The news comes via a new interview with CEO of Microsoft Gaming Phil Spencer (via CNBC), who confirmed Microsoft loses around $100 on every Xbox Series X sold.
Is Xbox still losing money? ›Xbox boss Phil Spencer has admitted that Microsoft continues to suffer a substantial loss on every Xbox Series X and Series S sold. That's in contrast to Sony, which no longer makes a loss on the PS5.
Who sold more Xbox or PS5? ›But they are also likely to still be lagging significantly behind. With 32 million PS5 sales, current estimates put Xbox X/S sales at maybe around 20 million units. So, two things are true, the Xbox Series X/S has been better received and is generally performing better than the Xbox One at launch.
What is the hottest game console? ›xbox series x
The most powerful games console ever. Microsoft has got a really impressive hand to play this console generation, too, though, and the Xbox Series X is its new flagship. It's the most powerful console ever, too. An SSD and huge power mean it's right up there with the PS5, and the prices are similar too.
- OutRun 2006 Coast 2 Coast.
- Call of Cthulhu Dark Corners of the Earth.
- Def Jam: Fight for NY.
- Spikeout: Battle Street.
- Futurama.
- Teen Titans.
- Jet Set Radio Future.
- Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse.
What is the fastest console? ›
The PS5 Is the Fastest Console Overall
In day-to-day gaming, you're going to be spending a lot more time installing, launching, and switching between games than you are booting up your system for the first time each day. So, in the long run, the PS5 is going to provide you with a much faster gaming experience.
Nintendo Wii
Between the Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3, Nintendo's console was perhaps the easiest to hack and tinker with. In fact, on earlier consoles/firmware, all it took was the Twilight Hack, which was enabled by walking backwards in Twilight Princess.
The most kid-friendly game console is the Nintendo Switch. Most games are rated 3+, 7+ and 12+.
How much is the oldest game console? ›| Name | Magnavox Odyssey | Odyssey series (11 consoles) |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | US$100 (equivalent to $648 in 2021) | US$100–230 (equivalent to $504–1158 in 2021) |
| Release date | NA: August 1972 EU: 1973–1974 JP: 1974 | NA: 1975–1977 |
| Media | Printed circuit board | Inbuilt chip |
| Accessories (retail) | Light gun (sold separately) | None |
Sony confirmed it currently loses money on PS5 sales "resulting from strategic price points for PS5 hardware that were set lower than manufacturing costs." Aren Tai and 1,578 others like this.
Which console sold more this year? ›The numbers are in, and the Nintendo Switch was 2022's best-selling console of the year in the United States based on units sold, according to NPD. The system that drove the most dollar sales in 2022, however, was the PlayStation 5 due in part to its bigger sticker price relative to the Switch.
Was the PS4 sold at a loss? ›The PS4 was sold at a loss on day 1. Its total build cost was $381, but the additional costs involved such as retailer margin etc... pushed the total cost for Sony over $399. Took a few months for them to make a profit on that price.
Which console is better for 4K? ›And that console is the PS5. The PS5's player most clearly makes its mark over its Xbox rival when it comes to sharpness. Crisp 4K transfers enjoy more clarity and detail on Sony's device, putting more clear blue water between the picture quality of HD and 4K Blu-ray than the Series X does.
Which console has better graphics? ›The Xbox Series X is the most powerful game console currently available, featuring detailed graphics, fluid frame rates and rapid load times. The device also sports a fantastic game library, with backwards compatibility going all the way back to the original Xbox.
What is the newest game console 2023? ›- Nintendo Switch OLED.
- Xbox Series X.
- Sony PlayStation 5.
- Xbox Series S.
- Nintendo Switch Lite.
What will be the last console? ›
With so many new advancements in tech, like cloud gaming and mobile gaming, the PS5 and the Xbox Series X just might be the last traditional video game consoles.
Will there be a PS6? ›The launch of the PS6 is highly anticipated, despite it only being three years since the launch of the PS5, but just like most consoles, it's likely that Sony is looking ahead to the successor already.
Should I buy 2023 PS4? ›But as the system continues to age, we don't recommend buying a PlayStation 4 in most cases. It's smarter to wait for a PS5, get PlayStation exclusives on PC, or get another console instead of paying for this old system. After all, the PS4 turns 10 years old in 2023.
Is a PS5 Pro coming? ›Some rumours have suggested that the PS5 Pro will launch as early as June 2023. But given the stock issues of the original PS5, many are predicting a more conservative release date of late 2023.
Which is cheaper Xbox or PS5? ›The differences are reflected in pricing. The PS5 standard disc edition costs $499.99 / £449.99 while the PS5 Digital Edition sells for $399.99 / £359.99. As for Xbox Series X, that retails for $499 / £449 and Xbox Series S at $299 / £249.
How long will PS5 last? ›Sony Expects The PS5 To Have A Shorter Lifespan Than Any Of Its Previous Consoles. Insiders working on Sony's back end believe the PS5's life cycle will come to an end in just five years.
Is PlayStation or Xbox more popular? ›Xbox vs PlayStation: Five Must Know Facts
The first PlayStation came out in 1994. PlayStation has sold over 102 million units worldwide since its creation! This is a little bit more than the Xbox, which has sold about 84 million units worldwide since 2001.
The Slim PS4 is the more powerful machine, albeit only slightly, with the ability to typically display games at a higher resolution. The difference isn't always drastic, but on most TVs, PS4 titles will simply look better. The PS4 targets 1080p as a resolution, while the Xbox One usually falls short: Around 900p.
Who is Mega Man's rival? ›Bass is Mega Man's bitter rival, despite the latter's protests, and the two clash often. Bass is determined to defeat Mega Man and prove that he is the strongest robot, though Mega Man does not wish to fight Bass and does not consider the two enemies, instead wishing they could be friends.
Who is Mario's biggest rival? ›Feature: 30 Years Of Sonic The Hedgehog - The Many Faces Of Mario's Biggest Rival. Over the last three decades, many types of Sonic fan have emerged and evolved.
What is Nintendo's least successful console? ›
Nintendo went from its least successful console ever in Wii U, to its most successful console in Switch. That is what is most incredible about this. Now that Switch has passed Wii and PS1, the next system up is PS4. That is inevitable in 2022, just a matter of time.
Is Xbox one the best selling console? ›Topping the list of best-selling consoles in 2022 is Xbox X series. A total of more than 3 million units were sold.
Is Xbox or PlayStation more popular? ›Xbox vs PlayStation: Five Must Know Facts
The first PlayStation came out in 1994. PlayStation has sold over 102 million units worldwide since its creation! This is a little bit more than the Xbox, which has sold about 84 million units worldwide since 2001.
| No. | Game | Copies sold |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Halo 2 | 8.46 million |
| 2 | Halo: Combat Evolved | 5 million |
| 3 | Sneak King | 3.2 million |
| 4 | Fable | 3 million |
It's no secret that the PS2's built-in DVD player was a big part of the reason why the console was so successful in those early months and years. DVD players at that time were expensive, scarce, and, rapidly becoming the must-have accessory for anyone trying to keep up with the Joneses.
Is Xbox selling better than PS5? ›With 32 million PS5 sales, current estimates put Xbox X/S sales at maybe around 20 million units.
What sold better PS5 or Xbox? ›In the last 12 months, the PlayStation 5 has outsold the Xbox Series X|S by 4.19 million units. The PlayStation 5 is currently ahead by 10.11 million units. The PlayStation 5 has sold 30.47 million units in 26 months, while the Xbox Series X|S sold 20.36 million units.
What's selling better Xbox or PS5? ›But, despite similar performance and price tags, the PS5 has managed to be more popular with shoppers. Sony recently announced that more than 30 million PS5 consoles have been sold, while Microsoft has reportedly sold about 20 million units between the Xbox Series X and Series S, according to VGChartz.
What platform do most gamers use? ›The world's biggest mobile platforms are Android, iOS and Samsung, respectively sharing 72.44%, 26.75% and 0.41% of the global market between them. That would seem to settle the question: Android mobile is clearly the most popular gaming platform.
Why do people prefer Xbox? ›The Xbox One X is the most powerful video game console this side of an actual gaming PC. It simply outperforms every other system including the PS4 Pro. The Xbox One X even looks better than the PS4 Pro from a purely cosmetic perspective. So if you want games to run at true 4K, the Xbox One X is the system for you.
What is the greatest Xbox? ›
The best Xbox
Get the Series X if you'll use it with a 4K TV (now, or eventually), want the absolute best in graphics and performance, or you want a disc drive for games and movies.
- Futurama. ...
- Xenosaga 3. ...
- 6. . ...
- Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. ...
- Haunting Ground. ...
- Blood Will Tell. ...
- Rule of Rose. Official ATLUS West. ...
- Kuon. Kuon takes the title as the undisputed rarest PS2 game at the moment, and it's not even close.
Lack of Third-Party Support
Since the PS Vita was such a beefy handheld console with high-quality specs, making games for the system was difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. But the PS Vita wasn't selling well. And since it was so expensive and difficult to make games for, many third-party developers just didn't.
Sony's PlayStation 2 home gaming console launched in North America on October 26, 2000, going onto sell over 150 million units worldwide by 2011 and putting itself in a distant first place in terms of sales against its closest competitors, Microsoft's Xbox and Nintendo's GameCube (24 million and 21.7 million units sold ...