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 Series X|S | |
|---|---|---|
| Cumulative units (estimated) | ≈ 13,000,000 | ≈ 35,666,846 |
| After 5y 11m on sale | – | ≈ 35.6M |
| Released | October 20, 1985 | November 10, 2020 |
| Time on the market | 13y 2m | 5y 11m |
| Average per day | ≈ 3K | ≈ 16K |
| Status | Discontinued | On sale |
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Which sold more, the Sega Master System or the Xbox Series X|S?
As of October 31, 2026, the Xbox Series X|S leads our tracked comparison: about 35.7 million units against 13 million for the Sega Master System, a gap of 22.7 million. Figures may mix reported shipments, customer sales and estimates.
How many Sega Master System and Xbox Series X|S consoles have been sold?
Sega Master System: source estimate: 13 million units as of 1998 (JavaGear research report; measurement not specified). Xbox Series X|S: source estimate: 35.52 million units as of October 3, 2026 (VGChartz estimate; sell-through (units sold to customers)).
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