The race from launch day
Cumulative units by months since each console's own launch. Sources can measure shipments, customer sales or estimates; figures between reports are modelled.
Side by side
| GameCube | Xbox | |
|---|---|---|
| Cumulative units (estimated) | 21,740,000 | 24,000,000 |
| After 4y 5m on sale | ≈ 20.7M | ≈ 24M |
| Released | September 14, 2001 | November 15, 2001 |
| Time on the market | 6y 6m | 4y 5m |
| Average per day | ≈ 9K | ≈ 15K |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Which sold more, the Nintendo GameCube or the Xbox?
As of October 30, 2026, the Xbox leads our tracked comparison: about 24 million units against 21.7 million for the Nintendo GameCube, a gap of 2.3 million. Figures may mix reported shipments, customer sales and estimates.
How many Nintendo GameCube and Xbox consoles have been sold?
Nintendo GameCube: 21.74 million units as of March 31, 2008 (Nintendo annual results, fiscal year to March 2008; measurement not specified). Xbox: 24 million units as of May 10, 2006 (Microsoft, via The Register; measurement not specified).
Figures can measure shipments, customer sales or estimates; these are not directly interchangeable. Between reports our model projects an estimate, not observed transactions. The changing digits show the model's output, not its accuracy. Its inputs and assumptions are corrected when new figures are available. Sources and method