Timeline sales trend of the most popular video game consoles from 1978 to 2019. Included handhelds and home consoles. Measured in cumulative unit sales throughout a product lifespan.

Most Popular Gaming Consoles by Units Sold (1978–2019)

From the birth of home gaming in the late 1970s to the powerful modern systems of the late 2010s, gaming consoles have shaped entertainment, technology, and culture. Measuring popularity by units sold offers a clear look at which systems truly defined their eras and captured the hearts of millions of players around the world.

The journey begins with early pioneers like the Atari 2600, which helped bring video games into living rooms and proved that home consoles could become mainstream entertainment. However, the true revolution came in the late 1980s and 1990s with Nintendo and Sony. Nintendo dominated with systems such as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and later the Super Nintendo, setting standards for game design and iconic franchises. Sony then reshaped the industry with the PlayStation, which became one of the first consoles to surpass 100 million units sold, establishing gaming as a massive global business.

When discussing the best-selling consoles of all time up to 2019, a few giants stand out clearly. At the very top sits the PlayStation 2, the most successful console ever, thanks to its enormous game library, DVD playback, and long lifespan. Close behind is the Nintendo DS, whose innovative dual-screen design and accessible games appealed to players of all ages. The Game Boy and Game Boy Color also rank among the greatest successes, dominating handheld gaming for more than a decade.

Another huge milestone was the Nintendo Wii, which changed gaming forever by introducing motion controls and appealing to casual and family audiences worldwide. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 4 rose rapidly in the 2010s to become one of the best-selling systems in history, powered by strong exclusive titles and online capabilities. Other notable successes include the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PlayStation, all of which surpassed tens of millions of units and helped fuel the growth of online and high-definition gaming.

These sales numbers reveal more than just commercial success—they tell the story of how gaming evolved. Each top-selling console brought something new: technological innovation, new styles of play, stronger storytelling, better graphics, or entirely new audiences. From cartridges to discs and from wired controllers to motion sensors, consoles constantly pushed boundaries.

By 2019, gaming had transformed from a niche hobby into one of the most influential entertainment industries in the world. The best-selling consoles didn’t just sell millions of units; they defined generations, shaped pop culture, and built communities that continue to thrive today.

Most Popular Gaming Consoles by Units Sold (1978–2019)

The history of gaming consoles is a story of innovation, competition, and cultural impact. From pixelated classics in the late 1970s to powerful online machines in the 2010s, gaming consoles have shaped how generations play, connect, and experience entertainment.

Let’s explore the most popular gaming consoles by units sold from 1978 to 2019 and see what made them so successful.

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The Early Days: 1978–1989

The home console revolution began with the Atari 2600, released in 1977. With interchangeable cartridges and arcade-style games, it sold around 30 million units, introducing millions to home gaming.

However, the true breakthrough came with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in the mid-1980s. After the video game crash of 1983, Nintendo revived the industry. With iconic titles like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda, the NES sold over 61 million units worldwide.

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The Console Wars Era: 1990–1999

The 1990s introduced intense competition. Nintendo dominated early with the Super Nintendo (SNES), selling nearly 49 million units.

Everything changed in 1994 when Sony entered the market with the PlayStation (PS1). Its focus on 3D graphics, CDs instead of cartridges, and mature third-party titles helped it sell over 102 million units, redefining gaming for teenagers and adults alike.

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The Best-Selling Console of All Time: PlayStation 2

Released in 2000, the PlayStation 2 (PS2) remains the best-selling gaming console in history, with more than 155 million units sold.

Why was it so successful?

• Backward compatibility

• DVD playback

• Massive game library (over 3,800 titles)

• Long lifespan (2000–2013)

The PS2 wasn’t just a console — it was a household entertainment system.

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Innovation Takes Over: 2006–2012

Nintendo surprised the industry with the Wii, focusing on motion controls instead of raw power. This strategy worked brilliantly, selling over 101 million units, attracting families, seniors, and casual gamers.

At the same time:

• Xbox 360 sold ~84 million units

• PlayStation 3 sold ~87 million units

Online multiplayer, digital stores, and HD gaming became standard during this era.

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The Modern Generation: 2013–2019

The PlayStation 4 dominated the eighth console generation, selling around 117 million units by 2019. Its success came from:

• Strong exclusives

• Developer-friendly architecture

• Competitive pricing

Nintendo returned strong with the Switch, a hybrid console that works both handheld and docked. By 2019, it had sold over 52 million units, breaking sales records faster than any previous Nintendo console.

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Fun Facts & Trivia 🎯

• The PS2 sold more units than any smartphone model

• NES saved the gaming industry after the 1983 crash

• Nintendo Switch became one of the fastest-selling consoles ever

• Sony leads total lifetime console sales globally

• Console design trends often follow movie and tech aesthetics

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Final Thoughts

From the Atari 2600 to the PlayStation 4, gaming consoles reflect technological progress and changing player expectations. Each generation built on the last, creating one of the most influential entertainment industries in history.

And the competition is far from over.

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Source: Data Is Beautiful