Nintendo Switch Sales Near DS: Best-Selling Console Incoming?
Nintendo has officially released its latest financial results for the six-month period ending September 30, 2023, revealing that the Nintendo Switch family of systems has reached a staggering new sales milestone. The hybrid console has now sold a total of 132.46 million units worldwide since its launch in March 2017, cementing its place as one of the most successful video game platforms in history.
This incredible figure places the Switch tantalizingly close to becoming Nintendo’s best-selling piece of hardware of all time. The current record-holder for the company is the Nintendo DS family of handhelds, which concluded its run with an impressive 154.02 million units sold. With the Switch still selling millions of units each quarter, it is now a matter of when, not if, it will claim the company's top spot.
A Juggernaut Closing In On History
The Switch's performance continues to defy expectations for a console entering its seventh year on the market. In the six months from April to September 2023 alone, Nintendo sold another 6.84 million Switch consoles. Sales were led by the premium Nintendo Switch - OLED Model, which moved 4.69 million units, demonstrating strong consumer demand for the best possible handheld experience.
With its new total of 132.46 million, the Nintendo Switch solidifies its position as the third best-selling video game console of all time. It now trails only two platforms:
- Nintendo DS: 154.02 million units
- PlayStation 2: Approximately 155 million units
The gap is closing fast. The Switch now needs to sell just over 21.5 million more units to surpass the Nintendo DS and a little over 22.5 million to take the all-time global crown from the PlayStation 2. Given its current trajectory and a strong holiday season ahead, the race to the top is going to be one of the most exciting stories in gaming over the next year.
Can the Switch Claim the All-Time Crown?
While passing the Nintendo DS seems almost inevitable, the ultimate goal of dethroning the PlayStation 2 presents a more significant challenge. To reach that historic peak, the Switch must maintain strong sales momentum deep into its lifecycle, a feat few consoles have ever managed.
Nintendo itself is projecting robust, if slightly moderated, sales for the near future. The company has forecast that it will sell a total of 15 million Switch consoles during the full fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2024. If Nintendo achieves this goal, the Switch’s lifetime total would climb to approximately 140.6 million units.
This would put the console comfortably on track to pass the DS in 2024. However, it would still be about 14-15 million units short of the all-time record. To close that final gap, Nintendo will need to continue supporting the platform with must-have games, attractive bundles, and potentially strategic price drops throughout 2024 and possibly into 2025. The enduring appeal of its evergreen titles and the excitement for whatever comes next will be crucial factors in this final push for the history books.
Software Continues to Fuel the Fire
A console is nothing without its games, and the Switch’s software sales are just as monumental as its hardware figures. The platform’s library is powered by a collection of titles that have sold tens of millions of copies, keeping players engaged and attracting new ones to the ecosystem year after year.
The most recent report updated the sales figures for its top-performing titles, showcasing their incredible longevity:
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: 57.01 million units
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons: 43.38 million units
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: 32.44 million units
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: 31.15 million units
- Super Mario Odyssey: 26.95 million units
- Pokémon Sword / Pokémon Shield: 26.02 million units
Perhaps most impressive is the breakout performance of the latest major release, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. In just a few months since its May 2023 launch, the game has already sold an astounding 19.50 million copies. This proves that blockbuster, system-selling software is still arriving for the Switch, providing the fuel necessary to keep hardware sales strong as it chases the all-time record.
Nintendo Switch Sales FAQ
How many Nintendo Switch consoles have been sold?
As of September 30, 2023, a total of 132.46 million Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch - OLED Model systems have been sold worldwide.
Will the Switch outsell the DS?
Yes, the Nintendo Switch is on a clear path to surpass the Nintendo DS (154.02 million) and become Nintendo's best-selling hardware platform of all time, likely sometime in 2024.
What is the best-selling video game console of all time?
The best-selling console of all time is the PlayStation 2, which has sold approximately 155 million units in its lifetime. The Nintendo Switch is currently in third place and is actively chasing this record.
What is the best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch?
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best-selling game on the platform, with over 57 million copies sold.