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 | GameCube | |
|---|---|---|
| Cumulative units (estimated) | ≈ 13,000,000 | 21,740,000 |
| After 6y 6m on sale | – | ≈ 21.7M |
| Released | October 20, 1985 | September 14, 2001 |
| Time on the market | 13y 2m | 6y 6m |
| Average per day | ≈ 3K | ≈ 9K |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Which sold more, the Sega Master System or the Nintendo GameCube?
As of October 31, 2026, the Nintendo GameCube leads our tracked comparison: about 21.7 million units against 13 million for the Sega Master System, a gap of 8.7 million. Figures may mix reported shipments, customer sales and estimates.
How many Sega Master System and Nintendo GameCube consoles have been sold?
Sega Master System: source estimate: 13 million units as of 1998 (JavaGear research report; 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