Nintendo Switch is on the verge of overtaking PlayStation 2 to become the best-selling console of all time

Ever since home consoles first entered the world, they have given birth to a culture of 'gamers,' while sales figures have become the ultimate yardstick for a console's success—determining whether it will pave the way for the future or end right then and there.

The rankings of the world's best-selling consoles are dominated entirely by giants like Sony and Nintendo, leaving no room for other competitors to even come close. And when we consider that the Sony PlayStation was born from Nintendo’s past betrayal, it only intensifies the pressure on Nintendo: they cannot afford to lose to the very company they once snubbed.

Recently, the Nintendo Switch has been breathing down the neck of the PlayStation 2, climbing its way to the number two spot after successfully overtaking its own predecessor, the Nintendo DS. Let's dive into this fascinating story

According to Nintendo’s latest financial report, the Nintendo Switch sold 3.25 million units over the past nine months (ending December 31, 2025). This was enough to propel its lifetime sales to a staggering 155.37 million units. With this achievement, the Nintendo Switch has officially claimed the title of 'Nintendo’s best-selling console of all time,' dethroning the previous champion, the Nintendo DS, which held the record at 154.02 million units. However, in the global rankings across all manufacturers, the PlayStation 2 still holds the throne as the number one best-selling console, with over 160 million units sold

Nintendo's All-Time Best-Selling Consoles

"Let's take a look at the best-selling hardware in Nintendo's history. Leading the pack is the Nintendo Switch with 155.37 million units, followed by the Nintendo DS at 154.02 million. Here is the full breakdown of their top-performing systems:"

Console	Units Sold (Millions)
Nintendo Switch	155.37
Nintendo DS	154.02
Game Boy / Game Boy Color	118.69
Wii	101.63
Game Boy Advance	81.51
Nintendo 3DS	75.94
NES (Famicom)	61.91
Super Nintendo (SNES)	49.10
Nintendo 64	32.93
GameCube	21.74

Nintendo’s latest report confirms that the Nintendo Switch 2 is vastly outperforming the original Switch's launch trajectory. Just months after its release, the Switch 2 has rapidly become Nintendo’s fastest-selling console to date, leaving the launch figures of its predecessor in the dust.

Nintendo has officially reported that the Switch 2 has already reached 17.37 million units sold. If this explosive momentum continues, there is a strong possibility that its lifetime sales could eventually eclipse the original Switch. The big question remains: can this trend hold long enough for the Nintendo Switch 2 to ultimately challenge and overtake the legendary PlayStation 2 as the king of consoles?

If we recall, the PlayStation 2 was long reported to have sold 155 million units. However, Sony recently revealed a new figure, stating the true lifetime sales actually reached 160 million units. This move effectively pushed the finish line further back, leaving the Nintendo Switch—which was closing the gap—with another 5 million units to chase.

While the original Switch could potentially reach that milestone if Nintendo continues production, we must not forget that its ongoing presence is a double-edged sword. Staying on the market risks cannibalizing sales of the Nintendo Switch 2, which is far more profitable for the company.

Ultimately, it’s a high-stakes gamble for Nintendo: will they cease production soon to focus on the new successor, or will they hold the line until they officially dethrone the PS2? We will have to wait and see how this long-running console war concludes