In a context of significant changes for Nintendo, its console Nintendo Switch continues to establish itself as one of the biggest commercial successes in the video game industry. Following the publication of the latest financial reports at the end of 2024, the company has revealed impressive figures that show how the Switch continues to set milestones almost eight years after its launch.
With a total of 150,86 million consoles sold Since its debut in March 2017, the Nintendo Switch It is positioned as the third best-selling console in history, behind the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS. Despite facing a drop in 30% in year-on-year sales, with 4,82 million units marketed during the last quarter of 2024, continues to show considerable strength in the market.
The natural decline of a veteran
As is natural for a console of its age, sales figures are beginning to show declines. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 (October to December 2024), the Switch experienced a drop in its figures compared to previous years: 4,82 million over the 6,9 million of the same period in 2023 and the 8,23 million in 2022. This is partly due to the console having entered its eighth holiday campaign, and also the official announcement of its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, which will be released this year.
However, software remains a key driver for Nintendo SwitchAccording to the data, the console has sold 1.359,80 million games, with 19 titles surpassing one million units in the last nine months of the fiscal year. This success also translates into an active user base that continues to grow, reaching 129 million users annual versus the 127 million recorded last year.
A record in sight
Projections for the end of fiscal year 2025 indicate that Nintendo Switch could reach a cumulative of 152,32 million units sold, being very close to the 154,02 million of the Nintendo DS. If current trends continue, it is expected that the Switch exceed 160 million units sold, making it the best-selling console of all time.
However, this scenario is not without uncertainty. With the imminent arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, sales of the original console are likely to take a significant hit. The transition to a new generation of hardware without losing the current commercial momentum will be one of the biggest challenges for the Japanese company.
Market impact and future challenges
Aware of the decline in hardware sales, Nintendo has already adjusted its expectations. From an initial projection of 13,5 million of consoles for fiscal year 2025, the figure has been reduced to 11 million. This is partly due to the absence of high-impact releases like those of 2023, which included titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom y Super Mario Bros. wonder.
However, the games catalog of the Switch remains robust, with Recent successes , the Super Mario Party Jamboree, which has recorded more than 5,6 million units sold in 11 weeks since its launch. Added to this is the expectation generated by upcoming titles and the appearance of the new console.
As for the next generation figures, experts point to the launch of the Switch 2 could cannibalize sales of the current console. While this is challenging, previous experience with hardware transitions suggests that Nintendo will know how to handle change effectively.
In general, the legacy of the Nintendo Switch looks set to be one of the standouts in video game history. With over 150 million consoles in homes around the world, it reaffirms its position as a benchmark in innovative and attractive design for a wide variety of players.