The Most Popular Video Game Consoles Ever

Hey there, gaming enthusiasts! Today, I want to talk to you about something that has captivated the world for decades – video game consoles. These incredible machines have brought countless hours of joy and entertainment to people of all ages. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of the best-selling video game consoles of all time!

First up, we have the mighty PlayStation 2. This champion of the gaming world holds the record for the highest number of units sold. With its sleek design and wide array of games, the PlayStation 2 swiftly won the hearts of gamers worldwide. Its popularity knew no bounds, paving the way for future consoles to follow in its footsteps.

Next, we have the legendary Nintendo DS. This handheld console broke barriers and introduced a new way to play games on the go. The dual screens and touch functionality provided a unique and immersive gaming experience. With its innovative features and a vast library of games, the Nintendo DS became a must-have for gamers everywhere.

Moving on, we come to the ever-popular Game Boy. This trailblazing portable console brought gaming into the palms of our hands. With its simple yet addictive games, the Game Boy became an instant hit. It revolutionized the way we game and set the stage for future portable consoles.

Now, let’s talk about the Xbox 360. This powerhouse of a console took the gaming world by storm with its cutting-edge graphics and online multiplayer capabilities. It transformed the way we connect and compete with friends. The Xbox 360 became a household name, leaving a lasting impact on the gaming landscape.

Last but not least, we must mention the iconic PlayStation 4. As a gaming aficionado, you know the significance of this console. With its exceptional graphics, immersive gameplay, and a vast library of exclusive titles, the PlayStation 4 earned its place in the gaming hall of fame. It brought countless hours of joy and excitement to gamers worldwide, solidifying its spot among the best-selling consoles.

There you have it, folks – a glimpse into the world of the most popular video game consoles ever created. These consoles have changed the way we experience gaming, taking us on incredible journeys and creating memories that last a lifetime. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a die-hard fan, these consoles have undoubtedly left their mark on the gaming industry. So, grab your controller, immerse yourself in the virtual world, and let the gaming adventure begin!

Hey there! So, we’ve got some exciting stuff happening in the world of gaming. The Nintendo Wii U launched last fall, Sony made their big PlayStation 4 announcement in February, and we’re eagerly waiting for Microsoft to reveal their next Xbox. All of this means that a new generation of home video game consoles is on its way. Can’t wait to see what they have in store for us, right?

But while we anticipate these cool new consoles, let’s take a moment to look back at the consoles that came before. It’s always good to put things in perspective, you know?

So, in the next few charts, we’re going to check out the major home video game consoles from the past 30+ years. Just a heads up, we’re not including any handheld consoles in this list. The numbers we’ll be looking at are based on the most recent data available, and keep in mind that sales figures for consoles still available for sale might change.

The Best-Selling Consoles of All Time

Alright, let’s talk sales. When it comes to worldwide sales, the PlayStation 2 is the ultimate winner. It’s officially the best-selling console ever! And guess what? Sony is the king of the hill in this category, with three of their consoles making it to the top four. The Nintendo Wii manages to squeeze in at third place, while the PlayStation 3 barely beats out the Xbox 360 for the fourth spot. Impressive, huh?

The Most Titles on Consoles

When it comes to the number of available games, Sony’s PlayStation consoles definitely take the lead. Both the PlayStation 2 and the original PlayStation surpass their competitors in this aspect. It’s worth mentioning that the latest versions of the PlayStation 3 no longer support backwards compatibility, meaning you can’t play older PlayStation games on them. However, by looking at this chart, it’s easy to understand why Sony and its customers were so eager to have this feature in the initial PS3 model. It’s important to note that the game count mentioned here includes both downloadable games (like those from Xbox Live Arcade and WiiWare) and physical retail titles. So, it’s safe to say that PlayStation offers players a wide range of gaming options to choose from.

Console Prices at Launch

Let’s talk about console prices when they first came out. The Wii U was the very first of the new generation, and it cost $300. Some people are hoping that the PS4 and the next Xbox will have the same price, but there are rumors that they might be $400 or even more. To give you an idea of how much that is, here is a list of the top consoles in order of when they were released, along with their original launch prices. Some of these consoles had different versions and prices, but we’re only including the lowest price that was generally available. All of these prices are in U.S. dollars.

It’s clear to me that Nintendo has always been a leader when it comes to pricing. They’ve often offered lower prices for their consoles, even if it meant sacrificing some extra features. On the other hand, Sony has usually gone for higher price points, but their consoles offered more than just games.

When the PlayStation 2 and the PlayStation 3 were released, DVDs and Blu-rays were just starting to become popular formats. So, Sony made the smart decision to include optical disc video playback in their consoles. At that time, standalone DVD and Blu-ray players were quite expensive, sometimes as expensive as the corresponding PS2 or PS3. Because of this, many people bought these consoles primarily to use them as movie players, with gaming being a secondary use.

The chart above shows us a 36-year history, starting from the launch of the Atari 2600 in 1977 and ending with the Wii U in late 2012. I thought it would be interesting to take a final look at the prices adjusted for inflation.

If you think $400 or $500 for a new console is a hefty price tag, just think about the ill-fated 3DO. Even though it cost over $1,100 when adjusted for inflation, 5 million people still bought one. Let’s take a look at a more recent example. Although the PS3 had a high price, it showed us that expensive consoles can still be successful. However, the current trend suggests that people will be more open to a price range between $300 and $400 for Sony’s and Microsoft’s next consoles.