What were the best-selling consoles in history? This is the question asked by the Statista portal, which has produced an exciting infographic on this subject. While they are now in competition with subscription services such as Game Pass, these devices have clearly not said their last words with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X which are snapping up like hotcakes despite the shortage. Note that this list does not include portable consoles, in particular Nintendo’s Game Boy or Sony’s PSP.
Sony and Nintendo dominate
At the top, we find the PlayStation 2 which sold 155 million units. In the early 2000s, it simply made an impression with many legendary games. Arbitrarily, one can cite Metal Gear Solid 2 et 3or even the GTA III, Vice Cityet San Andreas.
In second position, the PlayStation 4 sold 117 million copies. This device has of course known its hour of glory with very many exceptional games like God of War or the series of Uncharted. It also benefited from the shortage of its successor, the PS5 and found itself as a safe haven during the holiday season.
The Nintendo Switch completes this prestigious podium with 114.3 million units sold. Released in 2017, this device is an incredible bestseller for the Japanese video game giant. With a Lite version launched last year, it is getting dangerously close to its two rivals and could soon steal the top spot from them.
The fourth position is occupied by the first PlayStation which sold 102.4 million copies. Sony had flair in opting for the CD format which finally prevailed over cartridges.
Microsoft lags behind
In fifth place we find the Wii with 101.6 million copies sold. The Nintendo console seduced for its classics: Zelda, Mario Kart… But also through certain innovations such as the Wii remote control supposed to allow playing in a more immersive way than with the joystick.
In sixth position, we find the PlayStation 3 with 87.4 million units sold. It did not have the same echo as the PS2 but managed to find a place in the market. She faced the Xbox 360the first Microsoft console in the ranking in 7th position with 85.8 million consoles sold.
The end of this list remains trustee by Microsoft and Nintendo. We thus find the NES in 8th position: 61.9 million sales. The Xbox One is ninth: 51.3 million. Finally, the mythical Super Nintendo ranks tenth with 49.1 million consoles sold.
Have any of the consoles in this ranking left a deep impression on you as a player? Tell us in the comments.
