Nintendo has been a powerhouse in the gaming industry for decades, captivating players with innovative consoles and unforgettable games. In this comprehensive exploration, we'll delve into the top 10 Nintendo consoles ranked by sales, uncovering the stories behind their success and the profound impact they've had on gaming culture.
1. Nintendo DS: The Dual-Screen Revolution (154 Million Units Sold)
At the pinnacle of Nintendo's success stands the Nintendo DS, a handheld marvel that revolutionized portable gaming. With an astounding 154 million units sold, it's not just Nintendo's best-selling console—it's the second best-selling gaming system of all time, trailing only the PlayStation 2 by a slim margin.
The DS's unique dual-screen design, featuring a touch-sensitive lower screen, opened up new possibilities for gameplay and user interaction. This innovative approach allowed for creative game designs that utilized both screens simultaneously, offering experiences that were impossible on traditional handhelds. The lower touch screen, in particular, paved the way for intuitive stylus-based controls, making complex games more accessible to a wider audience.
One of the DS's key strengths was its backward compatibility with Game Boy Advance titles. This feature added tremendous value, giving players access to an extensive library of games from day one. It also helped ease the transition for longtime Nintendo handheld fans, ensuring they could bring their favorite games along to the new platform.
The technical specifications of the DS were impressive for its time. It featured two ARM processors: an ARM9 running at 67 MHz and an ARM7 at 33 MHz. This dual-processor setup allowed for more complex games and smoother multitasking. The system also boasted 4 MB of RAM and 656 KB of VRAM, enabling developers to create visually rich and detailed games despite the relatively small screens.
Key titles that drove the DS's success include "New Super Mario Bros.," which sold over 30 million copies, "Animal Crossing: Wild World," "Pokémon Diamond and Pearl," and "The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass." These games showcased the system's versatility, appealing to both casual and hardcore gamers alike.
The DS's triumph lies in its ability to appeal to a broad audience. Its intuitive design and diverse game library attracted traditional gamers while also drawing in new players who had never considered themselves "gamers" before. This wide appeal, combined with its technical innovations, cemented the DS's place in gaming history as a true game-changer.
2. Nintendo Switch: The Hybrid Sensation (125 Million Units Sold)
The Nintendo Switch, released in 2017, has quickly become a modern classic. Its innovative hybrid design allows players to seamlessly transition between handheld and TV modes, offering unparalleled flexibility in how and where games can be enjoyed. This versatility has resonated strongly with players, contributing to its impressive sales figures of 125 million units and counting.
At the heart of the Switch is the NVIDIA Tegra X1 system-on-chip, a powerful mobile processor that enables the console to deliver console-quality graphics in both handheld and docked modes. The Switch features 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM, which is shared between the CPU and GPU, allowing for efficient resource management. Its 720p touchscreen display in handheld mode strikes a balance between visual quality and battery life, while the ability to output at 1080p when docked ensures a crisp experience on larger screens.
The Joy-Con controllers are another key innovation, offering motion controls, HD rumble, and the ability to be used individually for multiplayer games. This flexibility in control options has opened up new gameplay possibilities and made the Switch a go-to platform for party games.
The Switch's success is driven by standout titles such as "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," which redefined open-world gaming, "Super Mario Odyssey," which brought Mario's platforming adventures to new heights, "Animal Crossing: New Horizons," which became a cultural phenomenon during the COVID-19 pandemic, and "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe," which has become the best-selling racing game of all time.
Nintendo's strategy of releasing a steady stream of high-quality first-party titles, combined with strong support from third-party developers and indie studios, has ensured that the Switch maintains a diverse and appealing game library. This approach has helped the console maintain its popularity years after its initial release.
The Switch's ongoing success suggests it may climb even higher in the rankings before its run is complete, potentially challenging the DS for the top spot. Its impact on the gaming industry is undeniable, influencing how we think about the divide between home and portable gaming.
3. Game Boy and Game Boy Color: Pioneering Portable Play (118 Million Units Sold)
The original Game Boy, launched in 1989, and its color successor combined to sell an impressive 118 million units. These handheld devices defined portable gaming for a generation, offering players the ability to take their favorite games on the go.
The original Game Boy was a technological marvel for its time. Powered by a custom 8-bit Sharp LR35902 processor running at 4.19 MHz, it managed to deliver engaging gameplay experiences despite its limited hardware. The device featured 8 KB of RAM and 8 KB of VRAM, with games stored on cartridges that typically ranged from 32 KB to 1 MB in size. Its monochrome display, while simple by today's standards, was chosen for its low power consumption, allowing for extended play sessions on four AA batteries.
The Game Boy Color, released in 1998, built upon this foundation. It featured a Sharp LR35902 core at 8 MHz, double the clock speed of its predecessor. The Color also boasted 32 KB of RAM and 16 KB of VRAM, allowing for more complex games and, of course, color graphics. Its screen could display up to 56 colors simultaneously out of a palette of 32,768 colors.
The Game Boy's success was built on its robust build quality, long battery life, and an array of addictive games. The later addition of color breathed new life into the platform, allowing for more vibrant and engaging experiences. Iconic games that drove the Game Boy's success include "Tetris," which became synonymous with the device and sold over 35 million copies, "Pokémon Red and Blue," which sparked a global phenomenon, "Super Mario Land," which brought Nintendo's flagship character to the small screen, and "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening," which proved that deep, story-driven adventures were possible on a handheld.
The Game Boy's legacy is undeniable, laying the foundation for all of Nintendo's future handheld endeavors. Its success demonstrated that players valued gameplay and battery life over cutting-edge graphics, a philosophy that would continue to influence Nintendo's approach to hardware design for decades to come.
4. Wii: Motion Control Revolution (101 Million Units Sold)
The Nintendo Wii, with its motion-control interface, brought gaming to a whole new audience. Selling 101 million units, the Wii's approachable design and intuitive controls made it a hit at parties and in living rooms around the world.
Technically, the Wii was powered by an IBM PowerPC-based processor codenamed "Broadway," running at 729 MHz. It featured 88 MB of RAM, including 24 MB of "internal" 1T-SRAM integrated into the graphics package. The GPU, codenamed "Hollywood," was designed by ATI and ran at 243 MHz. While these specifications were not as powerful as its competitors, the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Nintendo's focus on innovative gameplay over graphical prowess proved to be a winning strategy.
The Wii Remote, or "Wiimote," was the console's true innovation. It used a combination of accelerometers and optical sensors to translate physical motions into game inputs. This allowed for intuitive, gesture-based controls that anyone could pick up and understand, regardless of their gaming experience.
The Wii's success came from its ability to attract non-traditional gamers, making video games a social activity for families and friends. Popular titles included "Wii Sports," which was bundled with the console in many regions and became the best-selling video game of all time with over 82 million copies sold. "Mario Kart Wii" introduced motion controls to the beloved racing series, while "New Super Mario Bros. Wii" brought four-player cooperative play to the platforming genre. "Wii Fit," with its balance board accessory, even positioned the console as a fitness tool, further broadening its appeal.
By focusing on fun, accessible gameplay, the Wii expanded the gaming market and left a lasting impact on the industry. Its success prompted competitors to develop their own motion control systems, and its influence can still be seen in the motion controls present in modern VR systems and controllers.
5. Game Boy Advance: Portable Power (81 Million Units Sold)
The Game Boy Advance represented a significant leap forward in handheld gaming technology. With 81 million units sold, it built upon the success of its predecessors while offering enhanced graphics and gameplay capabilities that approached the quality of home consoles.
At the heart of the GBA was an ARM7TDMI CPU running at 16.78 MHz, a substantial upgrade from the 8-bit processors of previous Game Boy models. This 32-bit RISC processor allowed for more complex games with improved AI, physics, and overall gameplay depth. The system also featured 32 KB of internal RAM and 96 KB of VRAM, enabling more detailed and colorful graphics.
The GBA's screen was a major improvement over its predecessors, featuring a TFT LCD capable of displaying 32,768 colors. While the original model lacked a backlight, later revisions like the Game Boy Advance SP addressed this issue, greatly improving the system's usability.
The GBA's library was filled with both original titles and enhanced ports of classic games, appealing to a wide range of players. Standout games included "Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire," which continued the franchise's massive success, "Mario Kart: Super Circuit," which brought the popular racing series to handhelds, "Advance Wars," which popularized turn-based strategy games for a new generation, and "Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow," widely regarded as one of the best entries in the long-running series.
One of the GBA's strengths was its backward compatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, giving players access to a vast library of titles from day one. This feature helped ease the transition for existing Game Boy owners and added tremendous value to the system.
The Game Boy Advance's success paved the way for the DS and showcased Nintendo's commitment to innovation in the handheld space. Its ability to deliver near-console quality games in a portable format set a new standard for handheld gaming, influencing the design of future portable systems both from Nintendo and its competitors.
6. Nintendo 3DS: Dimensional Gaming (75 Million Units Sold)
The Nintendo 3DS took portable gaming into the third dimension, offering glasses-free 3D visuals that wowed players. Despite initial skepticism, the 3DS went on to sell 75 million units, proving the enduring appeal of Nintendo's handheld offerings.
The 3DS was powered by two ARM11 MPCore processors, one running at 268 MHz and the other capable of running at either 268 MHz or 134 MHz. It featured 128 MB of FCRAM and 6 MB of VRAM. The system's standout feature was its autostereoscopic 3D top screen, which used parallax barrier technology to create the illusion of depth without the need for special glasses.
While the 3D feature was divisive, with some players loving the effect and others finding it gimmicky or uncomfortable, the console's strong game library and improved hardware made it a worthy successor to the DS. The addition of the Circle Pad provided analog control, greatly enhancing the gameplay experience for many titles.
Popular titles included "Super Mario 3D Land," which showcased how 3D visuals could enhance platforming gameplay, "Pokémon X and Y," which brought the monster-catching franchise into full 3D for the first time, "The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds," a critically acclaimed sequel to the SNES classic, and "Fire Emblem: Awakening," which revitalized the strategy RPG series and introduced it to a new generation of players.
The 3DS also introduced StreetPass, a feature that allowed 3DS systems to exchange data automatically when in close proximity. This innovative social feature encouraged players to take their systems with them wherever they went, fostering a sense of community among 3DS owners.
The 3DS demonstrated Nintendo's willingness to take risks and push the boundaries of portable gaming technology. While the 3D feature may not have been universally embraced, the system's robust library of games and continued iterations on the hardware (including the New Nintendo 3DS with improved 3D tracking and additional controls) ensured its success in the market.
7. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): The Game-Changer (61 Million Units Sold)
The Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES, revitalized the home video game market after the crash of 1983. With 61 million units sold, it established Nintendo as a major player in the gaming industry and introduced iconic franchises that continue to thrive today.
The NES was powered by a modified 6502 processor running at 1.79 MHz, with 2 KB of work RAM and 2 KB of video RAM. Despite these modest specifications by today's standards, the system was capable of producing colorful graphics and complex gameplay that were leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessors.
The NES's success was built on its robust library of games and Nintendo's strict quality control measures. After the market crash caused by a flood of low-quality games, Nintendo implemented a licensing system and seal of quality to ensure that only approved, high-quality titles were released for the system. This strategy helped rebuild consumer confidence in video games as a viable form of entertainment.
Legendary titles that defined the system include "Super Mario Bros.," which popularized side-scrolling platformers and became one of the best-selling games of all time, "The Legend of Zelda," which introduced players to the expansive world of Hyrule and pioneered action-adventure gameplay, "Metroid," which set the standard for atmospheric exploration-based games, and "Final Fantasy," which helped establish the JRPG genre outside of Japan.
The NES also introduced several hardware innovations. The Zapper light gun allowed for interactive shooting games, while R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy) was an attempt to market the NES as more than just a video game system. While R.O.B. itself was short-lived, it helped Nintendo position the NES as a toy rather than just a video game console, which was crucial in getting the system into stores following the video game crash.
The NES's impact on gaming culture cannot be overstated. It shaped an entire generation's perception of video games, established many of the genres and gameplay conventions we still see today, and cemented Nintendo's place as a leader in the gaming industry. The influence of the NES can still be felt in modern gaming, with many of its franchises remaining popular and its games continuing to inspire new titles and remakes.
8. Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES): 16-Bit Brilliance (49 Million Units Sold)
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System elevated console gaming with improved graphics, sound, and gameplay depth. Selling 49 million units, the SNES faced stiff competition from Sega's Genesis but emerged as a beloved platform with a library of timeless classics.
Technically, the SNES was a significant step up from its predecessor. It featured a 16-bit Ricoh 5A22 processor, which was based on the 65C816 CPU, running at 3.58 MHz (or 1.79 MHz in slow mode). The system boasted 128 KB of RAM and 64 KB of VRAM. Its graphics chip, developed by Nintendo and nicknamed the "Super PPU," could display up to 256 colors simultaneously from a palette of 32,768 colors, allowing for much more vibrant and detailed visuals compared to the NES.
One of the SNES's most distinctive features was its audio capabilities. The Sony-designed S-SMP sound chip allowed for eight channels of audio with impressive sample playback capabilities. This led to some of the most memorable and beloved video game soundtracks of all time, with composers able to create rich, orchestral-sounding scores that were previously impossible on home consoles.
The SNES era saw the refinement of many genres and the birth of new gaming experiences. Standout titles included "Super Mario World," which expanded on the platforming excellence of its predecessors with new powerups and the introduction of Yoshi, "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past," which set the template for future Zelda games with its dual-world mechanic and intricate dungeon design, "Chrono Trigger," a collaboration between Square's Final Fantasy team and Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii that is often cited as one of the greatest RPGs ever made, and "Super Metroid," which perfected the exploration-based gameplay of its predecessor and influenced countless "Metroidvania" games in the years to come.
The SNES also saw Nintendo's first foray into 3D gaming with the Super FX chip, a supplemental RISC processor included in cartridges for games like "Star Fox." This hardware innovation allowed for rudimentary 3D graphics on a system that wasn't originally designed for such capabilities, showcasing Nintendo's willingness to push technical boundaries.
The SNES remains a high watermark in console gaming, remembered fondly for its innovative games, technical prowess, and the sheer quality of its software library
