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The best-selling game console of all time is over 25 years old

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The best-selling game console of all time is over 25 years old

Sony shipped over 160 million PlayStation 2 units over its 13-year run.

You might expect newer consoles to dominate lifetime sales lists. After all, the industry is several times bigger than it was two decades ago. But all-time console sales are a blend of old and new, with Sony's second home console, the PlayStation 2, hanging onto the top spot.

However, the PS2's lead is shrinking. Based on the latest figures, Nintendo's original Switch is only a few million units behind. And unlike the PS2, it's still being sold.

A note on the figures: Sony and Nintendo report their totals as consoles shipped to retailers, which is a little different from consumer sales. Also, Microsoft doesn't publish official totals, so those numbers are analyst estimates.

Sony says the PS2 sold over 160 million units, more than any other console. How did it take the crown? For starters, it launched with a built-in DVD player, right when that market was taking off. As wild as that sounds today, this was back when physical media ruled. Come for Austin Powers, stay for Kratos.

Timing also worked in the PS2's favor. When it launched, Sega's Dreamcast was the only other new home console on the market. By the time the Dreamcast hit the US in 1999, Sony was already hyping the PS2, leading many a gamer to hold off on Sega's new console. ) And the GameCube and original Xbox didn't launch until late 2001, after the PS2 had already gained a foothold.


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