The 30 best-selling video games in history

With billions of dollars generated annually, the gaming industry has established some consoles as true sales phenomena. The 30 best-selling video game consoles of all time include devices that have won over different audiences and helped define trends in each generation. Among portable models and home consoles, brands such as... Nintendo, Sony e ecosystem They feature prominently in a ranking that reflects decades of technological evolution and changes in player behavior. See the full list below.

30 – Sega Dreamcast – 9,13 million

In 30th place and starting our list, the Sega Dreamcast It arrived on the market betting on features that were still rare in home consoles, mainly native internet support. The device allowed users to browse the web, access online content, and play multiplayer games without additional connection accessories.

Another distinguishing feature was the VMU, a memory card with its own screen that added extra functions to certain games. The console also gained recognition for its hardware capable of delivering experiences close to those of arcade machines. Sega, something that helped with performance and visual quality. 

29 – Sega Saturn – 9,26 million

O Sega Saturn was the bet of Sega For the 32-bit generation, it became known for its focus on 2D graphics and arcade-inspired experiences. Its complex hardware allowed for advanced results for the time, but also made the work of developers difficult, especially in 3D games. The console gained prominence mainly in Japan, where it received an extensive library and strong support from partner companies.

Furthermore, the Saturn It brought a variety of accessories and multimedia functions that sought to expand the use of the device beyond games. Even with performance below that of competitors in some markets, the console continues to be remembered for its unique identity and distinctive catalog.

28 – Nintendo Wii U – 13,56 million

Despite being considered one of Nintendo's biggest sales failures, the Wii UThe album, produced by the Japanese company and released in 2012, still ranks among the 30 greatest of all time. It is the successor to... Wii, it was the first console of Nintendo It offered support for high-definition gaming, as well as other interesting ideas, such as unique touchscreen controllers. However, five years after its release, it was discontinued and its successor, the... Nintendo Switch, it recovered the brand's market share and today is on track to position itself among the greatest successes of all time.

27 – Sega Game Gear – 13,9 million

O Sega Game Gear was the main attempt of Sega to compete in the laptop market dominated by Nintendo In the 1990s, the device stood out for its color screen with its own backlighting, something uncommon for the time and which offered better visibility in different environments. Furthermore, the console had hardware similar to that of... Master System...allowing adaptations of several well-known games from the brand. On the other hand, the high battery consumption ended up becoming one of the main criticisms of the portable device. Even so, the Game Gear It became known as one of the most popular laptops of the time. Sega and helped expand the company's presence beyond home consoles.

26 – PlayStation Vita – 15,82 million

Despite its dedicated and loyal fanbase, the Sony couldn't repeat it with the PlayStation Vita the same success achieved by PlayStation PortableAlthough the company stopped officially releasing sales figures shortly after the handheld's launch, estimates suggest the console reached approximately 16 million units sold. Still, the C.V. It remains much loved by fans thanks to its library of games and the great successes of... Sony present in the device. To this day, some of the brand's most loyal gamers continue to ask for a possible "Vita 2".

25 – Sega Master System/Mark III – 20 million

O Sega Master System It is one of the oldest consoles to appear among the best-selling video game consoles of all time and continues to have a curious history in Brazil: even today, the device continues to be sold in the country thanks to a partnership between... Sega and TecToyDriven by memorable games such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Alex Kidd in Miracle WorldThe console was a huge success among Brazilians, accumulating around 8 million units sold in the country, according to... TecToyAnother important milestone was Phantasy Star, one of the first RPGs translated into Portuguese, helping to popularize the genre among players who were not yet familiar with other languages.

24 – Xbox (original) – 21 million

O Xbox (original) marked the entrance of ecosystem In the console market, it offered a proposition closer to the computers of the time, with robust hardware and a focus on online features. The device helped popularize online multiplayer gaming on consoles through... Xbox Live, a service that would become one of the brand's cornerstones in the following years. Another distinguishing feature was the internal hard drive, an uncommon feature at the time that allowed data to be saved without the need for memory cards. Furthermore, the console received strong support from first-person shooter games and experiences geared towards competitive multiplayer, solidifying the platform's initial identity. Xbox.

23 – Nintendo GameCube – 21,74 million

Despite also appearing on this list of the best-selling consoles of all time, according to official figures from... Nintendo,  GameCube It is the company's second worst-selling console overall to date. Another interesting fact about the console is that, through its 208,57 million software units sold, the GameCube It holds the best average number of games per console unit from the red giant, with 9,59. Furthermore, the GameCube It is also remembered by fans for its catalog of high-quality games, such as Super Smash Bros. Melee, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Metroid Prime.

22 – Oculus Quest 2 – 22,8 million

O Oculus Quest 2 It helped popularize virtual reality by focusing on operating independently of computers and consoles. The headset uses its own hardware to run games and applications, eliminating the need for cables in most experiences. Another important point was its more affordable price compared to previous VR models, which broadened the device's reach among new users. The device also gained traction by offering motion tracking features without external sensors and integration with online services. Metaincluding social media apps, streaming services, and activities focused on productivity and physical exercise.

21 – Atari 2600 – 30 million

O Atari 2600 It holds the title of oldest video game console to appear on the list of best-selling consoles. Released in 1977, the product was designed to be one of the first in its category to be sold, as well as being simple and affordable. Atari 2600 It was also very popular among players of arcade, known here in Brazil as arcade, which helped to establish the brand as one of the most dominant in the market in the early history of videogames.

20 – Nintendo 64 – 32,93 million

O Nintendo 64, in addition to being on the list of the best selling consoles of all time, also has a library of games that would envy many other platforms, old and new. In the end, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which, according to the Metacritic, the highest-rated game in history, was originally released here. Between its successes and failures... NintendoDespite issues such as the lack of memory in cartridges or the company's failure to migrate to CD players, the console sold a good number of units, but the company's popularity began to decline along with it, opening space for... Sony to dominate.

19 – Xbox Series X|S – 33,5 million

O Xbox Series X | S represents the current generation of consoles from ecosystem with two different hardware proposals. While the X series prioritizes high resolution and superior graphics performance, the S series The company is betting on a more compact and accessible model, geared towards digital games. The line has also broadened the company's focus on subscription services and digital distribution, especially with the... Game PassAnother highlight is the backward compatibility with games from previous generations, in addition to the SSD which significantly reduced loading times and made system navigation faster.

18 – Sega Genesis/Mega Drive – 35 million

Another console from Sega quite popular in Brazil, thanks to the work of TecToy, it was the Sega genesis, also called Mega Drive in various parts of the world. Released in 1988, it was the main competitor of Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in the market. The return of Sonic, the blue hedgehog, in addition to its graphics in 16 bits High quality, a major innovation for the time, made the console a very attractive option on the market.

17 – Nintendo Switch 2 – 37,93 million

O Nintendo Switch 2 It maintains the hybrid design that made its predecessor popular, allowing gameplay both on TV and in handheld mode. The new generation brings performance improvements, faster loading times, and support for more advanced graphics features, expanding the console's capabilities for more demanding games. The device also received changes to the controller design and the structure of the... However,In addition to improvements to the screen and battery for portable use, another important point is backward compatibility with part of the first game's library. SwitchThis makes the transition easier for those who already own games and accessories for the platform.

16 – SNES/Super Famicom – 49,10 million

Before ecosystem e Sony They competed for dominance of the video game market; this dispute was carried out by Sega e Nintendo...with the two companies fiercely battling with their products and advertising to gain new customers. Therefore, the... SNES it was also the home of many good games, such as Super Mario World and several RPGs, mainly final Fantasy.

That's why he is still fondly remembered by many players. Other highlights that place him... SNES Among the best-selling video games in history are its wide variety of titles and the marketing carried out by the company in the West, which changed the visual identity of... Super Famicom that led to what we know today and boosted sales.

15 – Xbox One – 58 million

A ecosystem It seems to have hit the mark with its consoles and built a solid fan base throughout its history in this market, as all of its main consoles appear on the list of best-selling video games. Xbox One it could not be otherwise, through a wide variety of resources and entertainment options for players, it became popular very easily.

In addition to providing users with good games, it also supported a number of different media features, such as being able to play music, movies, and TV through the built-in apps.

14 – NES/Famicom – 61,91 million

In addition to being on the list of best-selling consoles, the NES it is also considered by experts as a major milestone in the video game industry, as it became one of the first to be widely popular, since, at that time, it was considered niche.

Another factor that makes the NES What's quite important to the history of video games is the fact that it brought the industry back into the spotlight after a major decline in the 80s. This was crucial for the market to overcome its crisis and establish itself as one of the main forms of entertainment.

13 – Nintendo 3DS – 75,94 million

Although the sales refer to the Nintendo 3DSThe company includes other consoles in the family and their variations, such as the... 2DS, XL and NewReleased in 2011, its main feature was the ability to display 3D images, a major trend at the time, without the need to use specific glasses.

Highlighting the main games of NintendoThe console became a good option for those who enjoyed playing games but didn't have the time or opportunity to use traditional video game consoles.

12 – Game Boy Advance – 81,51 million

O Game Boy Advance This represented a significant change in the portable line of Nintendo By adopting hardware closer to the home consoles of the time, the device featured 32-bit graphics, a horizontal format, and additional buttons that expanded gameplay possibilities. Another factor that contributed to the portable's popularity was its backward compatibility with games from... Game Boy e Game Boy Colorallowing users to take advantage of an extensive library right from launch.

11 – PlayStation Portable – 82,5 million

O PlayStation Portable, better known by the abbreviation of PSPThe Xbox One was one of Sony's first investments in the portable console market and became a success, appearing on lists of the best-selling video game consoles in history. Its unique combination of portability, high-quality graphics, and a wide variety of titles contributed to its popularity.

Perfect for people who like to play games on the go or while traveling, the PSP It would offer a high-quality screen and powerful graphics, considering its market rivals and the fact that it is smaller in size compared to traditional consoles.

10 - PlayStation 5 - 84,2 million

Another great success of Sony, which attempts to replicate the performance of its predecessors, the PlayStation 5 will probably end its life in the top positions of the best selling consoles in history.

Launched in 2020, the platform's advanced technology features, in line with good titles such as God of War, Demon's Souls and Horizon Forbiden West, they have everything to, alongside their rival, the Xbox Series X | S, climb that list and finish your life cycle at the top.

9 – Xbox 360 – 85 million

Despite the success of other consoles, the Xbox 360, released in 2005, remains the best-selling video game of ecosystemwhich helped the company to further establish itself within that market and become the main rival of Sony.

The main point that made this machine shine was its strong online feature, which made several multiplayer games more popular. In addition, major titles were also present during the console's life cycle, such as... Gears of War, Halo 3, Bioshock and Mass Effect, made him a fan favorite.

8 - PlayStation 3 - 87,5 million

If any product related to the gaming market of ecosystem It is present on the list, know that next to it, the Sony It is also there to compete. There are several reasons that lead to PS3 being among the best-selling video games, mainly due to the fact that it is the successor to PlayStation 2.

Other reasons that contributed to its market success include its wide range of available titles, including new titles from already popular franchises: Grand Theft Auto, Uncharted and God of War There are only 3 that we can mention in the middle of this list. The fact that it was the first console of Sony Offering the option to buy digital games directly from the console is another positive point.

7 – Nintendo Wii – 101,63 million

A Nintendo It has always had the habit of drastically changing its consoles between generations, so when the Wii hit the market, it drew attention because of its innovative control, with a great motion sensor, which gave users new and fun ways to play. This turned out to be appealing to those who wanted a more immersive experience.

The company's exclusive titles, in general, also contributed to the... Wii It would become one of the best-selling consoles in history. Mario Galaxy 1 and 2Considered by fans to be one of the best games featuring the mustachioed plumber in his 3D era, as well as offering the possibility of bringing the family together to have fun with the minigames. Wii Sports, were key factors in his success.

6 – PlayStation – 102,4 million

The launch history of PlayStation The original is one of the great milestones in the gaming industry, because at the time, the Nintendo and Sony They joined forces for a partnership to launch a new video game, however, due to disagreements between the two sides, this never happened. Therefore, each company went its own way and followed its own philosophy.

Therefore, Sony brought to market the PlayStation 1The CD player, capable of reading CDs, became an immediate and huge success, spawning equally good successors. Many fans remember it fondly for being part of their childhood and for having some great titles. Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Metal Gear, Tekken and the legendary Final Fantasy VII.

5 - PlayStation 4 - 117,2 million

O PlayStation 4 It helped consolidate digital distribution and online services as a central part of the console experience. The device received strong integration with live streaming, gameplay sharing, and digital games, keeping pace with changes in audience behavior during the generation. Another important point was its architecture based on technology similar to PCs, which facilitated game development for studios of different sizes. Over the years, the console also received revised versions, such as the... PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro, the latter aimed at better graphics performance and support for higher resolutions.

4 – Game Boy/Game Boy Color – 118,69 million

Launched in 1989, the Game Boy It is the second most successful handheld console in the video game industry. Designed to be compact and lightweight, they were easy to take anywhere and have fun wherever you went. Before this release, people were only used to playing on... arcades or desktop consoles, then, the Game Boy This brought about a new possibility. Another factor that helped boost sales of the laptop... Nintendo It was the fact that it was the birthplace of Pokémon, a franchise that is still considered one of the most popular and valuable in the world.

3 – Nintendo DS – 154,02 million

The last console of Nintendo The legendary [game title] is appearing on the list of best-selling video games of all time. Nintendo DS, isolated from third place. It is remembered for the innovation it brought to the handheld industry, with two screens giving gamers the option to interact by touching one of them.

It didn't take long to become a rage among players, mainly because the company's exclusives used to make perfect use of both screens, capable of offering an interactive and innovative gameplay.

2 – Nintendo Switch – 155,37 million

O Nintendo Switch It drew attention for combining a home console and a portable device into a single unit, allowing users to quickly switch between TV use and portable mode. This approach led Nintendo to concentrate its main releases on a single platform, eliminating the division between portable and home console lines. Another differentiating factor was the detachable Joy-Con controllers, which could be used in different ways and featured capabilities such as motion sensors. The console also gained popularity for its practicality in daily use, fast startup times, and strong focus on digital distribution, in addition to versions such as the... Switch Lite, designed for portable use, and the OLED model, which brought improvements to the screen and audio.

1 - PlayStation 2 - 160 million

With approximately 160 million units sold, the PlayStation 2 It remains the best-selling console in history. The device combined a competitive price, a large library of games, and multimedia features that helped broaden its reach beyond the traditional gaming audience. Another important differentiator was the integrated DVD player, a feature that gained relevance at a time when the format was beginning to become popular.

The console also received strong support from developers in different regions, maintaining a steady stream of releases for years. Furthermore, it featured backward compatibility with games from the first console. PlayStation It facilitated the transition between generations and further expanded the options available to users.

Our list of the most successful consoles on the market comes to an end! The gaming industry is very dynamic, with new platforms being launched over the years, so it is normal that in the future, some hardware will change their positions easily.

But what about you, which of the consoles mentioned here did you like the most or did you miss one that deserved more attention from the market? Tell us everything in the comments.

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Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 04 / 06 / 2026.

Source: VGChartz e IGN.