Since the early days of gaming, companies have been competing to win the Console Wars. At times, it seemed like these companies would be locked in a constant struggle, fighting to prove that their console is the greatest of all time. Though in the modern age of gaming, the Console Wars are starting to die out more and more with every generation, the spirit of these battles still lives on today. Players constantly compare each console to one another, trying to prove why their choice of console is the best. Despite this, statistics prove that only one console can stand above the rest. To give more insight into the Console Wars, here are the 10 best-selling consoles of all time.
10. Game Boy Advance
To start off, we have the Game Boy Advance. This follow-up to the original Game Boy had a strong showing for Nintendo, selling at just around 81 million units. This sales number places the game in a comfortable position as the 10th highest-selling console of all time.
9. Xbox 360
Next, we have the Xbox 360, the follow-up to the original Xbox. Released in 2005, the console managed to rack up 84 million sales, making it the ninth best-selling game console. It is the highest-selling console that Microsoft has developed.
8. PlayStation 3
The PlayStation 3 was my first PlayStation console. Coming in at just above 87 million units sold, the PlayStation 3, while being the worst-selling PlayStation, minus the PS5, still comes in higher than the best-selling Microsoft console.
7. Wii
Next up is the Nintendo Wii, the first console on this list to break 100 million units sold. The Wii became a huge sensation during its release in 2006, bringing motion controls to many households. Pushing 101 million units, the Wii is the seventh best-selling console of all time.
6. PlayStation
Released all the way back in 1994, the PlayStation introduced Sony to the console wars. Already, the company had a massive showing with their first system, selling well over 102 million units globally, barely edging out the Wii for the sixth place spot.
5. PlayStation 4
Once again, Sony has yet again made a huge impact on the console industry with the release of the PlayStation 4. Being the second best-selling PlayStation system, the PS4 sold 117.2 million units, putting it a good deal ahead of the original PlayStation and making it the fifth best-selling console of all time.
4. Game Boy/Game Boy Color
Being Nintendo’s first handheld console, the Game Boy became hugely popular by taking gaming on the go at an affordable price. Though some people consider these separate consoles, when tallying numbers, Nintendo lumps the Game Boy and the Game Boy Color together. With 118 million sales, the Game Boy is the fourth-highest console on the list.
3. Nintendo Switch
In the modern generation of gaming, the console that has easily sold the most units would have to be the Nintendo Switch. Due to its unique hybrid console style and long release period, the Nintendo Switch has sold over 132 million units, making it the third best-selling console of all time.
2. Nintendo DS
The Nintendo DS brought the world the idea of portable, dual-screen gaming and quickly became the highest-selling portable console of all time. Pushing over 154 million units, the DS falls just short of the champion and falls nicely into the second-place slot.
1. PlayStation 2
Finally, the Playstation 2 is officially the best-selling console of all time. Coming in at a whopping over 155 million consoles sold, the PS2 barely edges out the Nintendo DS. Despite this, the PlayStation 2 has claimed its spot as the highest-selling console.
