Top Five Best-Selling Gaming Consoles of All Time: PlayStation 2 Still Holds the Crown
Although today's gaming industry is many times larger than it was two decades ago, the all-time console sales rankings reveal a fascinating mix of old and new devices. Despite tremendous advances in gaming technology worldwide, Sony's highly successful PlayStation 2 (PS2) still holds the crown as the best-selling gaming console of all time.
However, the gap between the PS2 and its closest competitors at the top of the list is gradually narrowing.
1. PlayStation 2 (More Than 160 Million Units)
Over its 13-year run, Sony shipped more than 160 million PS2 units worldwide. Launched in 2000, the console came with a built-in DVD player, which played a major role in its popularity.
Its early dominance over competitors such as the Dreamcast, GameCube and Xbox, along with a price reduction to $99 by 2009, were key factors behind its sustained success. More than 1.5 billion games were sold for the console, with Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas leading the list at 17.3 million copies.
2. Nintendo Switch (156 Million Units)
Launched in 2017, the hybrid console Nintendo Switch created a sensation by offering an impressive combination of portable gaming and TV-based gameplay. As of June 2026, total shipments of all Switch variants had reached approximately 156 million units.
The console has already surpassed the PS2 in game sales, reaching nearly 1.6 billion copies. Its best-selling game is Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, with 71.5 million copies sold. If the current trend continues, the Switch is expected to overtake the PS2 and claim the top position by 2028.
3. Nintendo DS (154 Million Units)
Launched in 2004, the Nintendo DS is the best-selling portable gaming console of all time. Featuring two screens, a stylus, a built-in microphone and wireless multiplayer capabilities, the DS family has sold more than 154 million units in total. New Super Mario Bros., with 30.8 million copies sold, was one of the console's biggest hits.
4. Game Boy and Game Boy Color (118 Million Units)
Nintendo's Game Boy series became popular for its affordable price, long battery life and durable design. Including the Game Boy Color, which arrived in 1998 with a colour screen amid the Pokémon craze, the entire Game Boy family has collectively sold 118 million units.
Among its most popular games were Pokémon Red/Green/Blue, with 31.4 million copies sold, and Tetris, with 30.3 million copies.
5. PlayStation 4 (117 Million Units)
Launched in 2013, the PlayStation 4 brought Sony tremendous success in its competition with Xbox. Its PC-friendly AMD architecture and emphasis on exclusive games helped it achieve total shipments of 117 million units. GTA 5, with 24.7 million copies sold, and Marvel's Spider-Man, with 22.7 million copies sold, were among its best-selling titles.
Other popular consoles outside the top five include the original PlayStation (102.4 million units), Nintendo Wii (101.6 million units), PlayStation 5 (more than 95 million units) and PlayStation 3 (87.4 million units).
As the gaming industry increasingly shifts towards PC gaming, mobile gaming and cloud-based subscriptions, it has become much more difficult for any single console to match the PS2's record.
//DBTech/BMT/OR//
