Nintendo Switch Surpasses PlayStation 2 to Become Best-Selling Console in U.S. History

The Nintendo Switch has surpassed the PlayStation 2 to become the best-selling video game console in U.S. history. For over two decades, the PS2 held the top spot thanks to its massive success during its launch and the dedicated fan base that kept its sales strong. However, this long-standing reign has now ended in the U.S.

Circana Executive Director and industry analyst Mat Piscatella shared the news on Bluesky, revealing that the Nintendo Switch has sold 46.6 million units in the U.S. alone. This milestone is significant, considering the console’s sales dipped by 3% in 2024. However, consistent demand and Nintendo’s unique hybrid design have kept the Switch a favorite among gamers.

Lifetime unit sales of Nintendo Switch have now exceeded those of PlayStation 2 in the U.S. market. With its 46.6 million units sold life-to-date, Switch now ranks 2nd in all-time units sold across all video game hardware platforms in the U.S., trailing only Nintendo DS.

— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) December 18, 2024 at 7:30 PM

Globally, the PS2 still holds its crown with over 160 million units sold. In comparison, the Nintendo Switch has sold 146.06 million units worldwide but has managed to pull ahead in the U.S. market. A key reason for this achievement is that the Switch remains in production, while Sony stopped manufacturing PS2 consoles years ago (in 2013). Despite this advantage, it’s still remarkable that it took so long for another system to surpass the PS2.

With Nintendo reportedly preparing for the launch of the Switch 2, it’s uncertain how long the original Switch will maintain its momentum. If sales slow down, it might take a future Nintendo console to finally dethrone the PS2 on a global scale.

The global top 10 best-selling consoles list highlights an ongoing rivalry between Sony and Nintendo. Currently, the rankings are as follows:

1. Sony PlayStation 2 (160 million units)
2. Nintendo Switch (146.06 million units)
3. Sony PlayStation 4 (117.2 million units)
4. Sony PlayStation (102.49 million units)
5. Nintendo Wii (101.63 million units)
6. Sony PlayStation 3 (87.4 million units)
7. Microsoft Xbox 360 (84 million units)
8. Sony PlayStation 5 (65.6 million units)
9. Nintendo Entertainment System (61.91 million units)
10. Microsoft Xbox One (58 million units)

Source: Circana, Mat Piscatella on Bluesky