Updated

Sega Dreamcast vs Nintendo GameCube sales

Our estimate puts the Nintendo GameCube ahead by about 13.5 million units. After 2y 4m on sale each, the GameCube led our model.

Sega Dreamcast with controller

8,200,000

Latest available figureBaseline figure: March 31, 2001Sega reported this figure in 2001. Sales continued afterwards, and its annual reports do not fully reconcile.

Console details
GameCube with controller

21,740,000

Latest available figureBaseline figure: March 31, 2008

Console details

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

DreamcastGameCube
Cumulative units (estimated)8,200,00021,740,000
After 2y 4m on sale≈ 8.2M≈ 14M
ReleasedNovember 27, 1998September 14, 2001
Time on the market2y 4m6y 6m
Average per day≈ 10K≈ 9K
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued

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Frequently asked questions

Which sold more, the Sega Dreamcast or the Nintendo GameCube?

As of October 31, 2026, the Nintendo GameCube leads our tracked comparison: about 21.7 million units against 8.2 million for the Sega Dreamcast, a gap of 13.5 million. Figures may mix reported shipments, customer sales and estimates.

How many Sega Dreamcast and Nintendo GameCube consoles have been sold?

Sega Dreamcast: 8.2 million units as of March 31, 2001 (Sega annual report 2001; measurement not specified). Nintendo GameCube: 21.74 million units as of March 31, 2008 (Nintendo annual results, fiscal year to March 2008; 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