The Five Biggest-Selling Gaming Consoles

AFP/APP

Paris: From the first video game consoles of the 1970s to the Nintendo Switch 2 due out on Thursday, gaming has captivated hundreds of millions across generations.

The five most popular consoles have collectively sold around 700 million units worldwide, with fan-favorite franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Pokemon driving their success.

1. PlayStation 2 – 160 million units

Sony’s PlayStation 2, launched in 2000, sparked global excitement — especially in the US, where fans lined up at midnight and in some cases stormed shops to grab a unit.

Its early appeal stemmed from:

Backward compatibility with original PlayStation games

DVD playback functionality

Though critics initially doubted its launch titles, the PS2’s popularity soared with hits from:

Grand Theft Auto

Gran Turismo

Final Fantasy

Tekken

Metal Gear Solid

Sony confirms it sold more than 160 million units, making it the top-selling console of all time.

2. Nintendo DS – 154 million units

Launched in 2004–2005, the Nintendo DS revolutionized handheld gaming with:

Dual screens (one touch-sensitive)

Built-in microphone and internet connectivity

It built on the Game Boy’s legacy, with a mix of old favorites and new cultural hits:

Super Mario, Zelda, Pokemon

Animal Crossing, Nintendogs (a virtual pet simulation)

Nintendo reports sales of over 154 million units, making it the best-selling handheld console ever.

3. Nintendo Switch – 152 million units

Since its 2017 release, the Nintendo Switch captivated players with its hybrid design — usable both as a home console and portable device.

Key milestones:

Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (a pandemic-era phenomenon in 2020)

As of March 2025, the Switch has sold over 152 million units, maintaining its position as Nintendo’s flagship product.

4. Game Boy – 118 million units

A cornerstone of 1990s gaming culture, the Game Boy and its Color version (1998) were compact powerhouses that changed the industry.

Notable achievements:

Introduced Pikachu in Pokemon Red/Green (1996)

Classic titles like Tetris and Super Mario Land

Together, they racked up over 118 million sales, solidifying Nintendo’s dominance in handheld gaming.

5. PlayStation 4 – 113 million units

Released in 2013, the PlayStation 4 emerged victorious in the console wars against Microsoft’s Xbox One.

Blockbusters that fueled its success:

Grand Theft Auto V

The Last of Us Part II

Marvel’s Spider-Man

Star Wars Battlefront

Sony reported 113.5 million units sold by 2020, securing the PS4’s place among the top five consoles of all time.