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 | Switch | |
|---|---|---|
| Cumulative units (estimated) | ≈ 13,000,000 | ≈ 157,064,280 |
| After 9y 7m on sale | – | ≈ 157M |
| Released | October 20, 1985 | March 3, 2017 |
| Time on the market | 13y 2m | 9y 7m |
| Average per day | ≈ 3K | ≈ 44K |
| Status | Discontinued | On sale |
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Which sold more, the Sega Master System or the Nintendo Switch?
As of October 31, 2026, the Nintendo Switch leads our tracked comparison: about 157.1 million units against 13 million for the Sega Master System, a gap of 144.1 million. Figures may mix reported shipments, customer sales and estimates.
How many Sega Master System and Nintendo Switch consoles have been sold?
Sega Master System: source estimate: 13 million units as of 1998 (JavaGear research report; measurement not specified). Nintendo Switch: 156.6 million units as of June 30, 2026 (Nintendo earnings, quarter to June 2026; sell-in (units shipped)).
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