Nintendo has been a major player in the gaming industry for decades, producing both home consoles and handheld systems that have shaped the gaming landscape. With the recent release of the Nintendo Switch 2, the company continues to attract attention with record-breaking sales. This article ranks the top 12 best-selling Nintendo platforms of all time, based on unit and game sales.
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12. Nintendo Switch 2
Units Sold: 10.36 million (as of September 30, 2025)
Games Sold: 20.62 million
Launched in June 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 experienced massive demand, selling 3.5 million units shortly after release and surpassing 10 million units by September 30. The console is Nintendo’s fastest-selling system ever but is not expected to match the lifetime sales of the original Switch.
11. Wii U
Units Sold: 13.56 million
Games Sold: 103.6 million
Released in 2012, the Wii U followed the highly successful Wii. Despite its innovative tablet-screen controller, the system struggled to gain traction and is considered one of Nintendo’s least successful consoles.
10. GameCube
Units Sold: 21.74 million
Games Sold: 208.58 million
Debuting in 2001, the GameCube is remembered for its distinctive design and titles like Mario Kart: Double Dash and Metroid Prime. Despite strong games, sales remained modest relative to other Nintendo consoles.
9. Nintendo 64
Units Sold: 32.93 million
Games Sold: 224.97 million
The Nintendo 64, released in 1996, featured landmark titles including Super Mario 64 and GoldenEye 007. Its 3D gaming capabilities made it a defining console of the 1990s.
8. SNES
Units Sold: 49.1 million
Games Sold: 379.06 million
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (1990) followed the NES with updated controllers, improved graphics, and classics like Super Mario World and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
7. NES
Units Sold: 61.91 million
Games Sold: 500.01 million
Released in 1985, the NES (or Family Computer in Japan) introduced the D-pad controller and iconic franchises such as Super Mario Bros. and Zelda, helping establish Nintendo as a gaming powerhouse.
6. Nintendo 3DS
Units Sold: 75.94 million
Games Sold: 391.85 million
The 3DS, successor to the DS, featured glasses-free 3D graphics and social features like StreetPass. Despite a slow launch, price cuts and the Ambassador program helped boost its long-term sales.
5. Game Boy Advance
Units Sold: 81.51 million
Games Sold: 377.42 million
Released in 2011, the Game Boy Advance continued Nintendo’s handheld success, offering a compact design and popular titles such as Advance Wars and Metroid Fusion. The SP redesign introduced a clamshell form factor.
4. Wii
Units Sold: 101.63 million
Games Sold: 921.85 million
Launched in 2006, the Wii popularized motion controls with intuitive gameplay. Titles like Wii Sports contributed to massive sales, making it one of Nintendo’s most commercially successful and recognizable consoles.
3. Game Boy
Units Sold: 118.69 million
Games Sold: 501.11 million
The original Game Boy, released in 1989, was a landmark handheld console that popularized portable gaming. Its success was fueled by Tetris and the widespread appeal of Mario games.
2. Nintendo Switch
Units Sold: 154.01 million
Games Sold: 1.425 billion
Since its 2017 launch, the Nintendo Switch has become the company’s best-selling home console. Its hybrid design allows play on both TV and handheld mode. The Switch was the first Nintendo console to sell over 1 billion games.
1. Nintendo DS
Units Sold: 154.02 million
Games Sold: 948.76 million
Nintendo’s best-selling platform of all time, the DS launched in 2004 and featured dual screens and a touchscreen interface. Multiple revisions, including the DS Lite, DSi, and DSi XL, contributed to its enduring popularity.
Final Thoughts
Nintendo’s history of console development demonstrates a pattern of innovation and adaptability. While some systems like the Wii U and Virtual Boy underperformed, the company has consistently delivered groundbreaking consoles that shape both home and portable gaming markets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Nintendo’s best-selling console of all time?
The best-selling Nintendo console of all time is the Nintendo DS, with 154.02 million units sold globally.
What is Nintendo’s best-selling home console?
The Nintendo Switch is the best-selling home console, with 154.01 million units sold and more than 1.425 billion games sold.
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 selling faster than the original Switch?
Yes. Early data shows that the Switch 2 is Nintendo’s fastest-selling console ever, passing 10 million units within a few months of launch.
What was Nintendo’s worst-selling console?
The Wii U is Nintendo’s lowest-selling widely released console, with 13.56 million units sold. The Virtual Boy performed worse but had a limited release.
How many games have been sold for the Nintendo Switch?
More than 1.425 billion games have been sold for the Nintendo Switch, making it Nintendo’s highest software-selling platform.
Does Nintendo still make handheld-only systems?
No. After the Nintendo 3DS line, Nintendo shifted to a hybrid-console strategy with the Switch family.
Which Nintendo console sold the most games?
The Nintendo Switch, with more than 1.425 billion games sold.
