Race: Best-Selling Console Brands 1973 - 2026

Описание: This is an update of the video "Brands With Best-Selling Video Game Consoles 1972 - 2019" with more accurate numbers, larger images of the consoles launched and easier to read facts about those consoles. This compares the major players in the gaming console wars from the beginning. The running total is about 2/3 of all console sales in the world, since many small brands and clone makers did not make the list.

It all began with the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972.

Magnavox releases the first game console in 1972. The Odyssey for $99 ($770 in 2026). Magnavox kept releasing updated versions of the Odyssey until 1978.

In 1975 Atari released its Pong arcade game as a console. $99 ($600 in 2026).

In 1976 COLECO joined the console race with the Telstar. $99 ($565 in 2026). While Nintendo prepared to launch its own hardware. The Color Game-TV.

The famous Atari 2600, which supported ROM game cartridges, was released the following year, in 1977. For $199 ($1,065 in 2026). Magnavox followed with Odyssey2, also featuring ROM cartridges. For $179 ($960 in 2026)

Mattel also released a 2nd gen console, the Intellivision. $299 ($1,335 in 2026)

ColecoVision launched in 1982, influencing the NES development, with it's smooth graphics and performance. For $175 ($590 in 2026)

Nintendo released the Famicon in 1983. Later launching it as the NES $179 ($540 in 2026)

The Master System was launched by Sega at the end of 1986. $199 ($590 in 2026)

NEC TurboGrafx-16 launched as the first 16-bit game console even thought it actually used an 8-bit chip. $249 ($650 in 2026)

Sega Mega Drive was released in 1988, then as the Genesis in NA. $189 ($495 in 2026)

Nintendo launches Super Famicom at the end of 1990. ¥25,000 (¥34,000 in 2026). After a redesign, the Super Famicom is launched as the SNES in 1991. $175 ($420 in 2026)

In 1993 Sega released a game console for kids, the Pico. $139 ($310 in 2026). Followed by the Sega Saturn just before the Playstation launch. $399 ($845 in 2026). The first Playstation launched a month after the Sega Saturn. $299 ($635 in 2026)

Released in 1996, Nintendo 64 was the last home console to use cartridges. $199 ($410 in 2026)

The Dreamcast was the first sixth generation console but sadly Sega's last game console. $199 ($385 in 2026)

The Playstation 2 is the best-selling console of all-time, since 2000. $199 ($375 in 2026)

In November 2001 Microsoft joined the console race with the powerful Xbox $299 ($545 in 2026)

GameCube launched a couple of months before the Xbox. $199 ($360 in 2026)

Microsoft quickly released their second console 4 years later. $299 ($490 in 2026)

Playstation 3, even with its high price, was sold at a loss of $240 per unit. $499 ($800 in 2026)

The Wii was Nintendo's best-selling console, selling over 100 million units. $249 ($400 in 2026)

In 2009 PlayStation 3 Slim was released by Sony as a thinner, lighter and cheaper PS3. $299 ($450 in 2026)

After the Wii's market success Nintendo launched the Wii U in 2012, which was it's worst selling console. Selling just over 13M units at $299 ($420 in 2026).

Xbox One was released in 2013 as a complete entertainment system for $499 ($695 in 2026).

Playstation 4 launches in 2013 and is as successful as first Playstation. Selling 102 million units. Playstation 4 Pro was an update in 2016 that added 4K,UHD,USB 3.1 and much more. $399 ($535 in 2026)

In 2017 the Xbox One X launched, adding UHD, 4K, FreeSync, speed, and much more for $499 ($655 in 2026).

The Switch has been Nintendo's fastest selling console to date. 40 million units sold to date at $299 ($395 in 2026).

The ninth generation of consoles began in November 2020. Microsoft launched the Xbox Series X and Series S. $499 ($635 in 2026) and $299 ($380 in 2026).

Sony released the PlayStation 5 days later in 2020, featuring a high-speed SSD and haptic feedback. Digital Edition $399 ($510 in 2026) and Disc Edition $499 ($635 in 2026).

In 2022, Valve Corporation released the Steam Deck, a handheld gaming computer that allows users to play their PC library on the go. $399 ($470 in 2026).