Top 10 Game Consoles
, by Patrick Hetherton, 7 min reading time
Based on sales data, critical reception, and cultural impact up to July 11, 2025, here are the top 10 game consoles of all time:
- PlayStation 2 (2000) - ~160 million units sold. Massive library, DVD playback, iconic titles like Final Fantasy XII and God of War II.
- Nintendo DS (2004) - ~154 million units sold. Dual-screen innovation, touch controls, and hits like Pokémon Diamond/Pearl and Nintendogs.
- Nintendo Switch (2017) - ~146 million units sold (as of late 2024). Hybrid portable/home console, with Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Animal Crossing: New Horizons driving popularity.
- Game Boy/Game Boy Color (1989/1998) - ~118 million units sold. Defined portable gaming with Tetris, Pokémon Red/Blue, and durable design.
- PlayStation 4 (2013) - ~117 million units sold. Strong exclusives like The Last of Us Part II and God of War, plus robust online ecosystem.
- PlayStation (1994) - ~102 million units sold. Pioneered CD-based gaming, with Final Fantasy VII and Metal Gear Solid shaping the industry.
- Wii (2006) - ~101 million units sold. Motion controls broadened gaming’s appeal, with Wii Sports and Super Mario Galaxy as standouts.
- PlayStation 3 (2006) - ~87 million units sold. Blu-ray support and exclusives like Uncharted and The Last of Us overcame a rocky start.
- Xbox 360 (2005) - ~84 million units sold. Xbox Live revolutionized online gaming, with Halo 3 and Gears of War as key titles.
- Game Boy Advance (2001) - ~81 million units sold. Enhanced portable gaming with Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire and Metroid Fusion.