As we approach the end of the life cycle of this generation of consoles, and with increasingly loud rumors of all the big manufacturers well into the development of successor models, it’s interesting to look back at which consoles have been a success among gamers and the most successful commercially. Here are the 10 best-selling video game consoles of all time.
10. PlayStation 4
The only console from the current generation, the PlayStation 4 rounds off our list with 79 million units flogged. Though miles away from the numbers seen for the PS2, they have allowed Sony to dominate the industry since release. In comparison, Microsoft has sold less than 30 million units of the Xbox One.
9. Game Boy Advance
The spiritual successor to the original, the Game Boy Advance sold more than respectable 81.5 million units. With backward compatibility, it became a sensible upgrade for fans of the original and thrived largely uncontested in the handheld sphere until the next generation.
8. PlayStation Portable
Lauded as a direct competitor to Nintendo’s DS it lost the battle in terms of sales with 82 million units sold. It was, however, praised for its power and a host of quality games that marked its lifespan.
7. PlayStation 3
After the overwhelming success of the PlayStation 2, Sony were at odds to repeat the feat and though the PlayStation 3 was comparatively a disappointment, namely for developers who were at odds with how difficult it was to program games for the console, it sold relatively well with 83.5 million units shipped.
6. Xbox 360
Microsoft cemented its position as a contender in the console wars with the Xbox 360 and ignited the fuse of a revolution with the introduction of digital distribution, online gaming, and the now ubiquitous concept of trophies and achievements. Microsoft sold 84 million units
5. Nintendo Wii
Bridging the gap between serious gamers and more casual partakers, the Wii was a revolution in how consoles were perceived by the general public and represented Nintendo’s return to form after the lackluster performance of the GameCube. 101.50 million units were sold while production lasted.
4. PlayStation
Sony’s first foray into home consoles was a massive success and heralded the dawn of disc-based gaming, which would go on to dominate the medium, even today. At 102.5 million units sold, no wonder Sony has become the uncontested king of consoles.
3. Game Boy
Some of you may be too young to remember that block of gray wonder that was the Game Boy, but it was the pride and joy of every youth back in the 1990s, following them wherever they might go. Combined, the Game Boy and its older brother, the Game Boy color, have sold 119 million units.
2. Nintendo DS
Though not the first handheld device, the Nintendo DS somehow hooked a whole generation of gamers on the benefits of portable gaming devices. No wonder it sold 154 million units and led to a whole bunch of great games.
1. PlayStation 2
With 155 million units sold since being launched in 2000, Sony’s PlayStation 2 to has the coveted spot as the best-selling console of them all.
