It’s hard to believe that the first PlayStation console was launched nearly 30 years ago. Since that very first day, Sony’s flagship console brand has done exceptionally well, handily taking on big rivals like Microsoft and Nintendo. The PS1’s visual aesthetic is so iconic that game designers still use it in indie games today, and many of the biggest franchises are still around.
With the widespread acclaim of the company’s most recent console, the PlayStation 5, it’s clear that PlayStation isn’t going anywhere. While it’s fun to look into Sony’s future and get poetic about all the great experiences to come, it’s equally interesting to look back to the past to get a sense of just how successful the PlayStation brand has been. Many of his consoles are easily among the best-selling of all time.
These are the best-selling PlayStation consoles of all time as of July 2022, according to @zuby_tech.
Best-selling PlayStation consoles of all time
7) PlayStation Vita/PlayStation TV – 15 million units
The PlayStation Vita is the least successful of all Sony consoles. While it boasted impressive visuals and a range of interesting games, its high price tag, low battery life, and strange operating tricks left many players turned off. The PlayStation TV was a lesser-known version of the Vita that allowed players to play Vita games on their TV, but even this advancement of the platform failed to boost sales. 15 million units sold is still nothing to sneeze at, but it pales in comparison to the sales numbers of Sony’s other consoles.
6) PlayStation 5 – 21.7 million units
It may come as a surprise to modern gamers that the PlayStation 5 isn’t one of Sony’s three best-selling consoles. There are two reasons for this: the PS5 is relatively new and Sony suffered from chip shortages.
The PS5 didn’t come out until November 2020, so it hasn’t had as much time to rack up huge sales figures as some of its predecessors. As for chip shortages, Sony and other console makers have struggled to keep up with demand due to this pandemic-related factor. The PS5 often sells out, resulting in very low sales for the first few years of its life. It remains to be seen how high the PS5 will soar now that the chip shortage has eased somewhat.
5. PlayStation Portable – 82 million units
While Sony’s handhelds have never sold as well as its flagship consoles, the PlayStation Portable has still made a name for itself with a respectable 82 million units sold. The PSP was on sale in Japan for a whopping 10 years and still performed well, even compared to the Nintendo DS, its main competitor at the time. While the PSP has been largely forgotten in the wake of mobile gaming, Sony still thought it appropriate to bring a fair share of its library back to the revamped PlayStation Plus Premium.
4. PlayStation 3 – 88 million units
The PlayStation 3 had some huge shoes to fill. On the heels of the PlayStation 2, one of the world’s most popular consoles, the PS3 was expected to promote Sony’s first-party franchises in bombastic, over-the-top ways. Although it failed to burn the global charts with 88 million units sold and faced stiff competition in the form of the Wii, which sold 101.63 million units in its lifetime, it is still fondly remembered as one of the most complex. consoles ever made. Due to the extremely complicated architecture of the PS3, it is very difficult to emulate its games on newer consoles.
3. PlayStation – 102.49 million units
This is the console that started it all. Originally designed in collaboration with Nintendo, Sony eventually branched out and made the PlayStation its first flagship home console. The PS1 was home to some of gaming’s best-known titles, including Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, and Crash Bandicoot. The charming polygonal character models and environments are still used in indie games today, and it was the route through which many a child fell in love with gaming at the time. While it may not be the absolute best-selling Sony console, it still holds a special place in the hearts of many players.
2. PlayStation 4 – 117.2 million units
The PlayStation 4 is in coveted second place on this list, thanks mainly to its stellar lineup of games and the perception that it will “beat” Microsoft’s Xbox One console and the Wii U, a distant third, during that iteration. of the console wars. The PS4 had an arguably better lineup of first-party games, more user-friendly and intuitive menus, and better consumer perception than the Xbox One. Microsoft has now reversed that perception with a big push in Xbox Game Pass, but Sony was the clear winner a decade ago and it shows in the PS4 sales.
1. PlayStation 2 – 159 million
The PlayStation 2 isn’t just the best-selling PlayStation console of all time; it’s the best-selling video game console of all time, period. The PS2 eclipsed everything before and even everything after, coming in with an incredible 159 million units sold. The console was actively produced from 2000 to 2013, putting it well into the lifespan of its PS3 successor and giving it one of the longest production windows of any console. The PS2’s incredible selection of games, strong brand recognition, established fan base and low competition from the underpowered GameCube and the original Xbox gave it the power it needed to reach the top globally.
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