Video game consoles have been around for over 50 years, and in that time, there have been many different consoles released. Some consoles have been more successful than others, and some have become iconic symbols of gaming culture.
Best-Selling Video Game Consoles
In this article, we’ll take a look at the 10 best-selling video game consoles of all time. We’ll look at their launch dates, best-rated games, and more details such as their impact on the gaming industry.
1. PlayStation 2
- Launch date: March 4, 2000
- Best-rated games: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, God of War, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, Final Fantasy X, Devil May Cry, Silent Hill 2, Resident Evil 4, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and Kingdom Hearts
- Impact on the gaming industry: The PlayStation 2 was the first console to sell over 100 million units, and it had a major impact on the gaming industry. It helped to popularize the 3D gaming era, and it introduced many new features to consoles, such as support for DVD playback and online gaming.
2. Nintendo DS
- Launch date: November 21, 2004
- Best-rated games: Pokémon Pearl/Diamond/Platinum, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass/Spirit Tracks, Mario Kart DS, New Super Mario Bros., Super Mario 64 DS, Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!, Animal Crossing: Wild World, Nintendogs, and Metroid Prime Hunters
- Impact on the gaming industry: The Nintendo DS was the first handheld console to sell over 100 million units, and it had a major impact on the gaming industry. It helped to popularize touch screen gaming, and it introduced many new features to handheld consoles, such as support for online gaming and local multiplayer gaming.
3. Nintendo Switch
- Launch date: March 3, 2017
- Best-rated games: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Splatoon 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Metroid Dread, and Luigi’s Mansion 3
- Impact on the gaming industry: The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console that can be played both at home and on the go. It has been a huge success, selling over 125 million units worldwide. The Nintendo Switch has helped to popularize hybrid gaming, and it has introduced many new features to consoles, such as motion controls and support for local multiplayer gaming.
4. Game Boy and Game Boy Color
- Launch date: April 21, 1989 (Game Boy) and November 18, 1998 (Game Boy Color)
- Best-rated games: Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow, Tetris, Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, Donkey Kong Land, and Metroid II: Return of Samus
- Impact on the gaming industry: The Game Boy and Game Boy Color were the first truly successful handheld consoles. They sold over 118 million units worldwide, and they helped to popularize handheld gaming. The Game Boy and Game Boy Color also introduced many new features to handheld consoles, such as interchangeable cartridges and support for multiplayer gaming.
5. PlayStation 4
- Launch date: November 15, 2013
- Best-rated games: Red Dead Redemption 2, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Grand Theft Auto V, God of War, The Last of Us Remastered, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Bloodborne, Horizon Zero Dawn, Persona 5, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and Ghost of Tsushima
- Impact on the gaming industry: The PlayStation 4 was the first console to sell over 100 million units in its first 8 years on the market. It has been a huge success, and it has helped to popularize 4K gaming and online gaming.
6. Xbox 360
- Launch date: November 22, 2005
- Best-rated games: Halo 3, Grand Theft Auto V, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Red Dead Redemption, Forza Horizon 4, Gears of War, Skyrim, Portal 2, Mass Effect 2, and Minecraft
- Impact on the gaming industry: The Xbox 360 was one of the first consoles to focus on online gaming, and it helped to popularize the Xbox Live service. It also introduced many new features to consoles, such as achievements and support for motion controls.
7. Wii
- Launch date: November 19, 2006
- Best-rated games: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Wii Sports, Mario Kart Wii, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Mario Galaxy, Galaxy 2, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, and Xenoblade Chronicles
- Impact on the gaming industry: The Wii was a huge success, selling over 101 million units worldwide. It helped to popularize motion controls and family-friendly gaming.
8. PlayStation
- Launch date: December 3, 1994
- Best-rated games: Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Crash Bandicoot, Grand Theft Auto, and Gran Turismo
- Impact on the gaming industry: The PlayStation was the first console to sell over 100 million units worldwide. It helped to popularize 3D gaming and CD-based gaming.
9. Nintendo 64
- Launch date: June 23, 1996
- Best-rated games: Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, GoldenEye 007, Perfect Dark, and Banjo-Kazooie
- Impact on the gaming industry: The Nintendo 64 was the first console to use 64-bit graphics. It helped to popularize 3D gaming and introduced many new features to consoles, such as analog control sticks and support for four-player multiplayer gaming.
10. Super Nintendo Entertainment System
- Launch date: November 21, 1991
- Best-rated games: Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Metroid, Chrono Trigger, and Donkey Kong Country
- Impact on the gaming industry: The Super Nintendo Entertainment System was one of the most successful consoles of all time, selling over 49 million units worldwide. It helped to popularize 16-bit gaming and introduced many new features to consoles, such as support for 16-bit graphics and sound.
These are just a few of the best-selling video game consoles of all time. Each of these consoles has had a major impact on the gaming industry, and they have helped to shape the way we play video games today.
