170°

10 Best Handheld Game Consoles Ranked by Sales

Since the 80's there have been great handheld consoles, but which is the best one? Here are the 10 best handheld consoles ranked by sales.

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hackernoon.com
IMissJimRyan1386d ago (Edited 1386d ago )

I'm not sure if I'm overinterpreting the title of the article, but it seems strange to me that a top 10 handheld console ranking is a top 10 best selling handheld ranking.

For me the title should be, as there is no mention in the article that the author thinks these are the top 10 handheld consoles and that they ranked them by sale:

"Top 10 best selling handheld game consoles".

VenomUK1385d ago (Edited 1385d ago )

I agree. A bestselling list is separate from a best quality list.

Wow, the DS man it sold 154 million! The Switch will hit 100 million this year and I think could have legs enough to beat the PS4 sales by the end of next year.

Orpheo1386d ago

Nintendo's Switch is on this list, but shouldn't be. The Switch is neither a standard console nor a handheld, but a hybrid of the two, which places it into its own unique category.

RPGer1386d ago

It is a handheld. Just calm down and get the lite which is very handheld and saving us from wording playing od Nintendo fans. That thing have zero commons with any console that ever existed. Is uses full handheld screen, you can absolutely play all games on the go (except very few inferior games), it has battery, it has momery card and not Drives etc. Just because it has dock mode doesn't mean it is console, Vita can play on TVs. Phones as well via adapters, docks or wireless, and laptops.

Every arguments which Switch fans they bring up "on the go". Japanese people buying it to play Mario, Zelda and Pokemon while on transportations like buses and trains (really thousands). It is a hybird portable that can be played on TV. Literally you can have Switch without a screen at all, so it is a portable like PSP and 3Ds.

Orpheo1382d ago

While Nintendo's Switch Lite is a purely portable platform, the original Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console, there's no denying that. For the sales comparison to be genuine, therefore, sales between the original Switch and the Switch Lite should be split and then compared.

Also, Sony's PlayStation Vita cannot be played on a TV, computer monitor, or any other larger screen unless you hack the device; therefore, the PlayStation Vita is a purely handheld device. What you're likely thinking of is Sony's PlayStation-TV (otherwise known as the PlayStation Vita-TV). Sony's PlayStation-TV did not have a screen and so is not a portable device, but a microconsole. As such, it would be correct in counting PlayStation Vita sales in the handheld sales competition while eschewing sales of the PlayStation-TV, just like it would be correct to consider Switch Lite sales in the handheld sales competition while eschewing sales of the dockable Nintendo Switch.

Neonridr1386d ago

It's whatever you want it to be really, hence the appeal. Some people dock it and never take it with them, is it still a handheld?

Orpheo1382d ago

It is a hybrid of a console and a handheld, thereby warranting its own category. Just because someone has the option of using the Switch as a handheld doesn't mean that they will, and the opposite is also true. Nintendo's Switch Lite, which is undockable, purely a handheld and so would fit in the sales comparison. Sales numbers would then have to be split between the original Switch and the Lite, and only the Lite's numbers used for a fair comparison to be made.

Profchaos1385d ago (Edited 1385d ago )

It's a handheld that you can dock. PSP could do this and Sega Game gear could do this.

It's more that they designed a dock that works really well as a selling point to justify it being underpowered compared to the pro and one x

Yui_Suzumiya1385d ago

I have the lite so it's just for portable gaming for me. I have a PS3 and PS4 for big screen gaming.

Agent751385d ago

The PSP was a handheld that could be plugged into a TV. The Switch is no different. Big screen gaming on the PSP back in 2005/06, you could say Nintendo snatched the idea of Sony.

ZeekQuattro1385d ago

I mean you could plug a cartridge into the SNES and play Game Boy games on TV with added colors in 1994. Nintendo might of gotten the idea from someone else but it certainly wasnt Sony. Lmao

Orpheo1382d ago

There is a major difference here.

The original PlayStation Portable was launched in North America in 2005 with no ability to output video to a TV. It wasn't until Sony's second revision with the PSP-2000 series that video and sound were able to be sent to a larger screen via the PSP composite, S-video, and component cables. This second revision was released 2 years after the original model. Even then, the cables and handheld units were never bundled together outside of special store promotions as the cables were considered purely as accessories, not part of the main system.

In the case of Nintendo's Switch, this is completely different. Every dockable Switch comes standard with a dock. This is because the Switch dock is not an optional accessory, but part of the main package. In fact, that is why this iteration of Nintendo's system is called the "Switch," because it can switch between console and handheld modes. This makes the Switch neither truly a console or a handheld device, but a hybrid of the two. This is in contrast to the Switch Lite, which is purely a handheld. If only Switch Lite numbers were used for the sales comparison, then that would be accurate.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1382d ago
autobotdan1386d ago

Nokia Ngage the 2nd greatest handheld game console of all time. 2nd only to the legendary Tiger Electronic handheld Double Dragon 2 the Revenge

thecodingart1385d ago (Edited 1385d ago )

This article has a ton of inaccuracies… like the actual sales numbers

specialguest1385d ago

The Turbo Express was way ahead of its time. It was literally a handheld console that played the same TG16 hu-card. It never took off, because of the high price tag and the TG16 eventually dying out

https://i.imgur.com/tdPUphU...

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140°

Nintendo wants to avoid Switch 2 scalping by making enough for demand

President Shuntaro Furukawa says he doesn’t think component shortages will be an issue due to new plan.

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videogameschronicle.com
ZycoFox303d ago

Probably be using 3+ year old chips by the time it launches

Tacoboto302d ago

The 2017 Switch is based on the 2015 Tegra X1 so even if Nintendo is using technology from 2022, that alone still represents a significant improvement.

Outside_ofthe_Box302d ago

How many decades has it been since Nintendo consoles been about power?

Inverno302d ago

Should open pre-orders through the E-shop for a period before making it available through stores. And now that COVID is out the way, you can make in store preorders mandatory too. People interested wouldn't have much of an issue driving by if it meant keeping scalpers at bay for a bit.

CrimsonWing69302d ago

I mean, the problem is these a-holes have bots that eat up every sites inventory. Then they sell it on eBay for stupid prices. No matter what you try to do we’re still going to have to fight through these human pieces of sh*t to get these damn consoles at launch.

phoenixwing302d ago (Edited 302d ago )

Well I'll either see if I can get one online against bots or wait till they're saturated and buy in a brick and morter store. Waiting isn't an issue anyway I have enough games to wait out the shortage

FinalFantasyFanatic301d ago (Edited 301d ago )

I can't really understand people rushing out to buy a console at release, I'll wait a year, two years, etc... until I can walk into a store and buy one if I have to, I'm not paying scalper prices.

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330°

Are the Console Wars Over? Welcome to the Handheld Wars.

Looks like the epic console wars might be coming to an end, and a new battlefield is heating up: the Handheld Wars. With heavy hitters like the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go, and the trusty Nintendo Switch, portable gaming is taking the spotlight. These handhelds bring the power of consoles to your hands, offering a variety of gaming experiences for both casual and hardcore gamers. While PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo aren't going anywhere, the rise of handheld gaming is giving us more ways to play than ever before.

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gamegeeked.com
darthv72327d ago

console wars are stupid to begin with... let alone handheld wars.

GameGeeked327d ago

Console wars, and possibly handheld wars, may seem silly, but they persist because there will always be passionate fan.

darthv72327d ago

Being passionate about the games is fine. The plastic boxes... not so much.

InUrFoxHole325d ago

Passionate is one thing. But fans went full retard

Cacabunga325d ago

Darth

You need some kind of plastic box to play them games.. and people tend to choose the best one. Console wars allows games and consoles to reach new heights.

S2Killinit325d ago

You really don't get to speak. Come on.

Ironmike325d ago (Edited 325d ago )

S2killinit u just as bad

S2Killinit325d ago (Edited 325d ago )

@Ironmike
I’m not as relentless as some on here. In fact, I only respond in kind and I got pulled into this site after seeing how some commenters were always rushing in to be the first comment and detail conversations in favor of their box. Now that their console of choice is doing badly, they preach kumbaya. Just saying.

crazyCoconuts325d ago

Is it implied that "console wars" refers to the fans warring vs. the war the platform holders are constantly in?
Obviously the platform holders have been at war and will be as long as they have to compete for our dollars.

ravens52325d ago

They're fine, as long as you know this isn't REAL. I can say how much distaste I have for MS but still have a best friend that only games on Xbox. Its not that serious .

Charlieboy333325d ago (Edited 325d ago )

Darth, do you not have preferences for certain things in life ? You know like a certain brand of phone, car, clothing, restaurant, etc.

Or are you one of those boring limp people that like to sit on the fence with everything because the 'conflict' is too much for you to handle?

There is fuckall wrong with having a console war....it keeps things fun and interesting. Well unless you're a supporter of Xbox that is.

Most of the intelligent self respecting Xbox supporters have jumped ship and all that's left now are the mouth breathing knuckle draggers.

Ironmike325d ago (Edited 325d ago )

So u resort to insults to win argument, u already lost bro .

Charlieboy333325d ago

@ Ironmike Whatever you say sunshine.....yawn

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Knightofelemia327d ago

Console wars were great when it was SNES vs Genesis. Was always a great topic in the school yard. You got the Genesis port the friend got the SNES port. Always fun to compare who was better. I always looked forward after the school week and rent a game for the SNES. Now the console wars are pretty much done and over with PS3 vs XB360 was pretty much the last of the console wars. Anything after that is pretty much one sided with almost everybody going PS4 and PS5. To me the console wars started to drop after the PS3 and XB360 ran their course. Be interesting to see the handheld wars I am in the market for a new handheld system.

GameGeeked327d ago

The SNES vs Genesis days were definitely memorable. I was lucky to have both consoles :) It's interesting to see how the focus is shifting now. Handheld wars could bring back some of that excitement. Which handheld system are you considering?

anast325d ago

I was on the Genesis side. We see how well that went.

RaiderNation325d ago

I had both but I preferred the Genesis for the sports games and I liked Sega's 6 button controller better for fighting games. That D pad was a godsend to pull off Street Fighter moves!

RaiderNation325d ago (Edited 325d ago )

The "golden age" of gaming to me was between 1995 and 2000 when it was a 3 horse race between Sony, Nintendo, and Sega. For me, there WAS no console war because I genuinely loved all 3 platforms, with each bringing something unique to the table. I miss that era.

anast325d ago

I switched to Sony day 1.

PhillyDonJawn325d ago

Anast, no one would've ever thought that about you. Totally surprising news/s

Fist4achin325d ago (Edited 325d ago )

Mortal Kombat was superior on the genesis!

FinalFantasyFanatic325d ago

It also helps that back then, they used very different hardware, today's consoles have very similar internals to each other, especially modern Playstations and Xboxes.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 325d ago
fsfsxii325d ago

Handheld wars aka which system is gimped more and destroys your hands faster.

anast325d ago

I would say with the defeat of Xbox and Nintendo being it's own thing in family friendly handheld gaming, the console wars are over. For those of us that enjoy that kind of entertainment and are aware of this aspect, it was fun while it lasted.

There is no handheld war Nintendo owns the handheld landscape.

-Foxtrot325d ago

" There is no handheld war Nintendo owns the handheld landscape "

If the Xbox handheld is true I won't how it will do against Nintendo, even Sony couldn't keep up and the PSP was fantastic

RaiderNation325d ago (Edited 325d ago )

The Steamdeck has currently sold around 3 million worldwide. A handheld Xbox would be lucky to double that. As others have suggested, there IS no handheld war. Nintendo owns it.

Ironmike325d ago

The defeat of xbox my god u for real it's a console u talking g like its real war the defeat that's saddest statement I read in here

anast325d ago

"that's saddest statement I read in here"

Your not very self aware. I get it.

The Wood325d ago

The xbox as a console is a shadow of what it was during the 360 era. IF the term war offends you then I guess that you lean towards the green brand.. Just a guess mind you.. Regardless, the brand has been mismanaged for way too long and that's a key factor as to why the gappage as increased yoy between it and its closest rival.

DarXyde325d ago

In a handheld war, Nintendo cannot be beaten.

PSP was a surprisingly robust effort, and it came the closest... While doing half as well as the DS.

badz149325d ago

closest? By any metric imaginable, it was not even close. it's easy to assume the that the PSP might as well be considered a success but it sold over 80mil vs over 150mil by the DS. It was not until the failure of Wii U, Xbone and Vita did people finally realize how well the PSP actually did. before all those, it was generally called a failure by many, considering how badly the DS crushed it in sales.

NotoriousWhiz325d ago

If the PSP's 80 million isn't a success, then what is the 3DS' 75 million?

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80°

Behind The Dangerous Stunts Of Nintendo’s Iconic Mario Commercials

Two married costume designers share stories from a decade of traveling the globe with Nintendo.

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gameinformer.com