Xbox Series X|S Outsells the Wii U in Under 18 Months - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted on 07 April 2022 / 3,870 Views
Microsoft's latest video game console generation, the Xbox Series X|S, has outsold the lifetime sales of the Nintendo Wii U after less than a year and a half on the market, according to VGChartz estimates.
The Xbox Series X|S has sold 13.66 million units worldwide through March 26, 2022, while the Wii U sold 13.56 million units lifetime.
Breaking down sales, the Xbox Series X|S has sold 6.63 million units in the US through March 26, while the Wii U sold 5.70 million units lifetime. In Europe, the Xbox Series X|S has sold 4.10 million units, which is ahead of the Wii U's 3.24 million units sold in the region.
In Japan, the Xbox Series X|S has sold only 0.17 million units, compared to 3.33 million units the Wii U sold. It is unlikely the Xbox Series X|S will outsell the Wii U in Japan, as the best-selling Xbox in Japan, the Xbox 360, sold 1.66 million units in the country.
Breaking down Europe sales, the Xbox Series X|S has sold 1.30 million units in the UK through March 26, while the Wii U sold 0.69 million units. In Germany, the Xbox Series X|S has sold 0.87 million units and the Wii U sold 0.75 million units. In France, the Xbox Series X|S has sold 0.40 million units and the Wii U sold 0.85 million units.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer in January of this year revealed the Xbox Series X|S remains the fastest-selling Xbox console generation in history.
"Supply is actually as big as it's ever been. It's that demand is exceeding the supply," said Spencer at the time. "At this point, we’ve sold more of this generation of Xboxes, which is Xbox Series X and S, than we had any previous version of Xbox. So it’s our job to get the supply there to meet that demand."
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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Wii U was definitely an idea ahead of its time. I'm sure Nintendo wanted the Wii U to function pretty much as Switch does now, but the tech just wasn't quite there yet at the time. Or, it's possible that the execs higher up still wanted to maintain distinct handheld/console lines, rather than fully combining them in Switch.
I know Nintendo likes to do new things from one generation to the next (N64>GameCube>Wii>Wii U>Switch), but I for one hope that their next system is more like the NES>SNES jump: just a better Switch in every way.
An unfortunate misstep that was heading towards something great for sure.
The corporate speak has me a little worried about the switch 2. Innovation is great, but sometimes iteration is the right move. But maybe they have something up their sleeve that is both innovative and a total improvement all in one.
I know exactly what you mean! Part of me feels like Nintendo will be like "Alright guys, Switch is a BEAST and our biggest selling console ever. Everyone wants us to follow it up with a superb, refined and significantly more powerful version of it. So - let's do a Virtual Boy 2 instead" much exec applause erupts
Oh no. Don't give them any ideas. We're dooooomed.
But yeah. I really do hope it's more of the same with maybe one crazy new feature or something. I actually loved the Wii u, but I don't want another Wii u. If it's not successful in the mainstream, it's just bad for everyone. Short lifespan, few games, etc. And hopefully not a virtual boy either. Haha.
The Wii U was an idea both ahead of its time, and behind its time, as it was based on ideas first pioneered by Sega with the Nomad handheld.
I believe the Wii U was engineered during a period where the bulk of tablets were very expensive, and the idea of a relatively inexpensive tablet-style controller was a potential winner. But the by the time of the console's release, inexpensive tablets were a dime a dozen and undercut that part of the console's appeal.
STOP! STOP! IT'S ALREADY DEAD!
...Congrats? I guess...
How long did it take the Xbox One? I think this is a good milestone regardless. If nothing else the X|S outselling they Xbox One seems like a certainty at this point
given that the Series is tracking ahead of the XBO by about 6 months, we can deduce the XBO did the same at about the 2 year mark.
Well not surprised. Wiiu was the least liked console next to the virtual boy. I do own one only to play wii games since it backwards compatible.
Xbox X/S will end up around 8th place in lifetime sales!
If the XBox X surpassed the Wii U sales just now, how long the PS5 surpassed that milestone? because it's going on 19 millions sold by now.
It was mention when it happened but is old news now.
PS5 did it in 51 weeks, just ahead of the 1 year mark.
