Best Selling Game on Every Nintendo Console

Nintendo is now a leading video game company, a remarkable achievement considering it began in the 1800s making playing cards. They first entered the gaming world in the 1970s, starting with toys and simple electronic games, and later releasing the Color TV-Game system. While that system didn’t allow for swappable game cartridges, Nintendo eventually evolved into the huge multimedia company we know today, boasting some of the most popular and successful game series ever created. We’ve compiled a list of the best-selling game for each of Nintendo’s consoles (excluding the original Color TV-Game system), which you’ll find below.

1) Game & Watch – Donkey Kong

Nintendo entered the handheld gaming market with the Game & Watch, a unique, folding LCD device that also included a clock. Over the years, Nintendo created more than 60 different Game & Watch models, even releasing full-color versions to celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2020 and 2021. These systems sold over 43.3 million units in total, with Donkey Kong being the most popular game, selling over 8 million copies. The success of Donkey Kong was particularly important, as the arcade version helped rescue Nintendo from financial trouble in 1981 and propelled them to become a major force in the video game industry.

2) Nintendo Entertainment System – Super Mario Bros.

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) dominated the video game world in the 1980s and played a key role in reviving the industry after a major slump in 1983. While the NES had many popular games and introduced beloved series, its biggest hit was actually the game that came bundled with the console: Super Mario Bros. This game was incredibly successful, pushing the boundaries of what was possible on 8-bit systems with its memorable music, vibrant colors, and simple, fun gameplay. It sold over 40 million copies, both on its own and as part of the console package.

3) Game Boy & Game Boy Color – Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue

Similar to the NES, the Game Boy and Game Boy Color revolutionized portable gaming. Their straightforward design and initial choice of a monochrome screen meant the batteries lasted a long time. Both systems boasted a fantastic selection of games, but the biggest hit was the original Pokémon games: Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue. These three titles launched together in February 1996, selling over 31.3 million copies. Including Pokémon Yellow, which came out in September 1998 and completed the first generation, total sales reached nearly 46 million.

4) Super Nintendo Entertainment System – Super Mario World

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System helped Nintendo join the 16-bit console race, and it quickly became known for its impressive collection of games. It launched with several games included, and its most popular title is part of one of Nintendo’s most famous series. Super Mario World was the first Mario game for 16-bit systems, and it was a significant improvement over previous installments. It also introduced the character Yoshi and built upon the ideas from Super Mario Bros. 3. While originally bundled with the console, Super Mario World was later sold separately, ultimately selling over 20.6 million copies.

5) Virtual Boy – Mario’s Tennis

The Virtual Boy was a commercial flop for Nintendo, despite its innovative technology. Many users experienced eye strain and headaches, and the design required players to awkwardly lean over a table to use it. Though poorly designed, it launched with only 22 games. The best-selling game on the 32-bit system was Mario’s Tennis, although exact sales figures are unknown. As a launch title and pack-in game in North America, Mario’s Tennis achieved the highest sales of any game on the Virtual Boy.

6) Nintendo 64 – Super Mario 64

When it first came out, the Nintendo 64 was a powerful console that demonstrated Nintendo’s ability to utilize 64-bit technology. It marked a significant shift for the company from 2D to 3D games, pioneering innovative camera controls and 3D platforming experiences. The system offered many great games, including classics like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and GoldenEye 007, but Super Mario 64 was its biggest hit. This game was the first in the Mario series to feature 3D graphics and captivated players with its compelling story, smooth controls, and expansive open world. It proved incredibly popular, selling over 11.9 million copies both as a bundled game and as a standalone purchase.

7) GameCube – Super Smash Bros. Melee

The GameCube was Nintendo’s attempt to compete with other consoles like the Sega Dreamcast, Xbox, and PlayStation 2 in the early 2000s. While it didn’t win that competition, the GameCube still had a fantastic library of games, many of which became long-running series. Its most popular game was Super Smash Bros. Melee, a highly successful fighting game and the second installment in the franchise. It featured characters from the original Super Smash Bros., as well as newcomers from games like Fire Emblem – which were new to many North American players. Nintendo sold over 7.4 million copies of Super Smash Bros. Melee for the GameCube.

8) Game Boy Advance – Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire

Nintendo built on the success of the Game Boy by releasing the Game Boy Advance, a more advanced handheld system. While it faced some competition from devices like the Nokia N-Gage and Bandai WonderSwan, it ultimately dominated the market. Over time, several different versions of the Game Boy Advance were released, and it became known for its impressive library of games. The most popular titles were Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, launched together in November 2002, selling over 16.22 million copies – significantly more than the 12.22 million copies sold by Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

9) Pokémon Mini – Pokémon Party mini

The Pokémon Mini, a small handheld gaming system released in 2001, was largely unknown due to limited marketing. It was designed specifically for playing Pokémon games, and its most popular title was unsurprisingly a Pokémon game. While exact sales numbers are hard to find, available data shows Pokémon Party mini was the best-selling game on the system. With only four games released in North America and a total of ten games ever made for the Pokémon Mini, it makes sense that the pack-in game topped the charts.

10) Nintendo DS – New Super Mario Bros.

The Nintendo DS was a hit for Nintendo, building on their past successes with handheld systems like the Game & Watch. Its unique feature – two screens – proved popular with players, allowing for more on-screen information and great gameplay experiences. The best-selling game on the DS was New Super Mario Bros., selling over 30.8 million copies. It significantly outsold the second best-selling game, Nintendogs, by almost 7 million copies, making it a clear winner.

11) Wii – Wii Sports

The Wii was a remarkably successful strategy for Nintendo. Instead of trying to compete directly with Sony and Microsoft’s more powerful consoles, Nintendo focused on appealing to everyone. They achieved this with the Wii, a console designed for all ages and featuring innovative motion-based gameplay. The Wii became one of the best-selling consoles ever, and its popularity was boosted by Wii Sports, a game included with the console to help players learn the controls. Nintendo sold over 82.9 million copies of Wii Sports, far exceeding the sales of their second best-selling game, Mario Kart Wii, by more than 45.5 million units.

12) Nintendo 3DS – Mario Kart 7

The Nintendo 3DS was an upgrade to the popular Nintendo DS, featuring improved technology and a screen that displayed games in 3D without the need for special glasses. Players could adjust the 3D effect if it caused any discomfort. The system was a big success, and many people were eager to buy one and play its wide variety of games. For a time, the best-selling game on the 3DS was actually included with the console – Mario Kart 7, which sold almost 19 million copies during the system’s lifetime.

13) Wii U – Mario Kart 8

The Wii U was Nintendo’s attempt to build on the success of the Wii, introducing a tablet-like controller called the GamePad. While it served as a stepping stone to the Nintendo Switch, it didn’t resonate with consumers and ultimately wasn’t very successful. Despite this, the Wii U still sold several million units – I was one of the buyers! Its most popular game was Mario Kart 8, which sold over 8.46 million copies. This highlights the console’s performance, as its second best-selling game, Super Mario 3D World, sold just under 5.9 million copies.

14) Switch – Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Nintendo really hit the jackpot with the Nintendo Switch after refining its design. This console, which could be used both at home and on the go, appealed to a wide range of gamers and offered a huge selection of games. Interestingly, its most popular title is a new version of a game that was also a best-seller on Nintendo’s previous console. While it’s called Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it’s been updated and improved to run better on the Switch, so it’s not quite the same game. However, it’s still recognizably the same experience, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has sold over 70.59 million copies, easily outselling all other games on the platform.

15) Switch 2 – Mario Kart World

Although the Nintendo Switch 2 is still new, its best-selling game is currently Mario Kart World. While Nintendo hasn’t shared exact sales numbers, Mario Kart World has sold over 14.03 million copies, making it the frontrunner. It’s possible other games have sold more digitally since the Switch 2 launched, but we’ll likely have a clearer picture once the system has been available for a longer period.

2026-05-12 21:20