The Nintendo Switch has slowly making its way toward become the best-selling console of all time, having recently hit 146+ million units sold. That number puts it around 9 million away from the current record holder, the iconic PS2. Or at least, it was 9 million away. You see, Sony has updated its records, and somehow the PS2 has shifted a few more million units.
The last time Sony officially updated us on how many PS2 consoles had been sold was way back in 2011 when the company said 150 million had been shipped. A year later that number was updated to 155 million. A year after that, the PS2 was officially discontinued and since that day Sony has never updated its sales, even though we all knew it must have sold at least a few more units.
It turns out, it did. 5 million of them to be exact. According to the newly updated history of PlayStation on Sony’s official website, somewhere in the last 11 years the PlayStation 2 managed to ship another 5 million consoles, bringing its total to 160 million.
That means the Nintendo Switch now has to achieve another 14 million sales to take the crown. Honestly, that seems quite likely though, as even with the announcement of the Switch 2 coming in 2025 the Switch is still selling very well indeed.
As for the 160 million number, it isn’t the first time we’ve heard it. Former PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan revealed in the official PlayStation that the PS2 had sold 160 million. However, since it was a passing comment and because Sony did not update its records, people were not sure whether to believe Ryan’s claims.
Now we just need to wait and see if that number will increase as the Switch inches closer. Perhaps next year Sony will reveal it flogged another few million down local pub. Or if they want to be extra devious they could always produce a PS2 mini pre-loaded with classic games, and use its sales to help the PS2 keep its place at the top of the mountain.