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
| Master System | Xbox | |
|---|---|---|
| Cumulative units (estimated) | ≈ 13,000,000 | ≈ 24,000,000 |
| After 4y 5m on sale | – | ≈ 23.8M |
| Released | October 20, 1985 | November 15, 2001 |
| Time on the market | 13y 2m | 4y 5m |
| Average per day | ≈ 3K | ≈ 15K |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Which sold more, the Sega Master System or the Xbox?
As of October 31, 2026, the Xbox leads our tracked comparison: about 24 million units against 13 million for the Sega Master System, a gap of 11 million. Figures may mix reported shipments, customer sales and estimates.
How many Sega Master System and Xbox consoles have been sold?
Sega Master System: source estimate: 13 million units as of 1998 (JavaGear research report; measurement not specified). Xbox: more than 24 million units as of May 9, 2006 (Microsoft, measurement not specified); our model uses an approximately 24 million anchor based on that threshold.
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