Which Video Game Console Has the Most Games?

Known for its immersive experiences and state-of-the-art graphics, Xbox consoles have cultivated a loyal following over the years. This is also due to its colossal collection of video games. With many exclusive titles and third-party offerings alike, Xbox Series X games have managed to evolve along with the latest gaming advancements. Plus, every new Xbox console continues to offer a wide variety of retro games from previous Xbox models that are no longer in production thanks to its backward compatibility.

Whether you enjoy classic titles like the original Doom or Fortnite as well as more modern popular Xbox games like the latest Halo or Forza Horizon, Xbox lets you play a huge variety of titles in Xbox Cloud Gaming. Gamers can stream and play on various devices, including smartphones, tablets and PCs, without the need for a dedicated gaming console (learn how to turn your device into a handheld gaming console here). Although this provides new gaming options and makes a wide selection of titles more accessible than ever, Microsoft simply hasn’t been producing Xbox consoles long enough for it to compete with the longer established PlayStation and Nintendo when it comes to which console has the most games.

From the original PlayStation to the latest PS5, Sony’s PlayStation brand has promoted an incredible array of genres, including action-adventure, role-playing, platformers, racing and more. Although there had been previous CD-based consoles before, the original PlayStation One was the first mainstream console to use video game discs instead of cartridges. This brought forward a whole new world of possibilities as far as graphics and scope go, which was timed perfectly to align with the emergence of 3D graphics. Titles like Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy VII expanded on what gaming had to offer, helping popularize the PS1 console and its expansive library.

Sony has released new consoles on a regular basis, continuing to bring its extensive list of titles to gamers. Similar to Xbox Series X|S, gamers who enjoy the latest PS5 games with pristine graphics and impressive computing power can also play titles from previous Sony consoles though backward compatibility. Gamers who utilize PlayStation Plus memberships are also eligible to play a large collection of current games and games from older consoles, like the PlayStation 2. At one point, the PS2 actually had the most physical games ever produced by one single console model. ¹ However, with the emerging popularity of digital gaming, the Nintendo Switch is now technically the console with the most games.

While Nintendo's consoles have traditionally placed less emphasis on graphics, they have been pioneers of innovative gameplay since the very beginning. The Atari gaming console initially introduced many to the world of video games, but soon the first Nintendo completely revolutionized the gaming world. Many relevant franchises that are still popular today were first established during the original Nintendo’s run, including The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario. Nintendo has been able to expand upon its original games as well as adding new titles to the mix to create the largest library of video games among the main consoles.

Although the best-selling console is still the PS2, there are more Nintendo Switch games available than on any other video game system. Unlike Xbox and PlayStation, the Switch doesn’t allow backward compatibility, but a Nintendo Switch Online membership does unlock a heap of older titles. Plus, the abundance of digital downloads and mobile games have only added to Nintendo’s already substantial selection. So, all three of the main systems have many games to choose from, but Nintendo’s console technically has the most available games to play.

Each console offers comprehensive catalogs of fun and exciting games, providing gamers with hours upon hours of entertainment. With the ever-growing presence of new titles combined with digital releases and retro games, each video game console has plenty of options for you.

Knowing that Sony’s PS2 once had the most video games and Nintendo just recently took over the top spot with all of the Switch games is a nice piece of trivia, but this feat is futile when it comes to gaming satisfaction and enjoyment. What it really comes down to is determining which console’s games align with your individual preferences and gaming priorities.

1. Chngin, Roy. “Which Console/Handheld Has The Most Games?” ValorVortech. 2023. https://valorvortech.com/which-console-handheld-has-the-most-games/.

2. Randell, Laura-May. “8 Reasons to Switch to PC Gaming.” MUO: Make Use Of Newsletter. December 13, 2022. https://www.makeuseof.com/reasons-to-switch-to-pc-gaming/.