The race from launch day
Cumulative units by months since each console's own launch. Figures between reports are modelled; where reports are years apart, the line is a rough approximation, not observed annual sales.
Side by side
| Dreamcast | DS | |
|---|---|---|
| Cumulative units (estimated) | 8,200,000 | 154,020,000 |
| After 2y 4m on sale | ≈ 8.2M | ≈ 39.5M |
| Released | November 27, 1998 | November 21, 2004 |
| Time on the market | 2y 4m | 11y 4m |
| Average per day | ≈ 10K | ≈ 37K |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Which sold more, the Sega Dreamcast or the Nintendo DS?
As of October 31, 2026, the Nintendo DS leads our tracked comparison: about 154 million units against 8.2 million for the Sega Dreamcast, a gap of 145.8 million. Figures may mix reported shipments, customer sales and estimates.
How many Sega Dreamcast and Nintendo DS consoles have been sold?
Sega Dreamcast: 8.2 million units as of March 31, 2001 (Sega annual report 2001; measurement not specified). Nintendo DS: 154 million units as of March 31, 2016 (Nintendo IR Historical Data - Consolidated Sales Transition by Region, as of March 31, 2016, pdf; 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