Nintendo Switch Achieves Historic Sales Milestone
The Nintendo Switch has officially cemented its place in gaming history, becoming the second best-selling console of all time according to the latest financial results from Nintendo. Despite the launch of its successor, the Switch 2, the original console continues to demonstrate remarkable longevity and popularity among players worldwide.
Record-Breaking Sales Figures
Nintendo's financial report for the third quarter of the 2026 fiscal year reveals that the original Switch has now reached lifetime sales of 155.37 million units. This impressive figure represents a significant achievement for the Japanese gaming giant, as it surpasses the previous record held by the Nintendo DS, which sold 154.02 million units during its lifetime.
The console's continued relevance is particularly noteworthy given its age - the Switch is now approaching its ninth anniversary. While sales have naturally slowed compared to previous years, the console still managed to sell 3.25 million units between April and December 2025. This brings the total player count to 129 million by the end of 2025, only slightly down from the 130 million recorded in 2024.
Switch 2 Performance and Market Dynamics
The launch of the Switch 2 has created an interesting market dynamic for Nintendo. The newer console has established itself as Nintendo's fastest-selling console ever, with 17.37 million units sold in its initial period. However, the original Switch's massive installed base continues to influence software sales and publisher support.
This is evident in the performance of recent game releases. Pokémon Legends: Z-A sold 12.3 million units across both console versions, with the Switch 1 version accounting for 8.41 million of those sales compared to the Switch 2 version's 3.89 million. This demonstrates how the larger player base on the original console continues to drive significant software sales.
Ongoing Support and Future Releases
Nintendo has maintained its commitment to supporting the original Switch despite the launch of its successor. The company has several dedicated Switch 1 games scheduled for release this year, including Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream, Rhythm Paradise Groove, and Pokémon Champions. These titles will also be playable on Switch 2 through backward compatibility.
However, most of Nintendo's upcoming releases are Switch 2 exclusives, with no cross-generation titles like Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond currently announced. The gaming community is eagerly awaiting future Nintendo Direct presentations, with the next rumoured to focus on third-party games rather than Nintendo's own titles.
The PlayStation 2 Comparison
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Switch's sales achievement is its relationship to the PlayStation 2's historical record. While the Switch has technically surpassed Sony's original figure of 155 million PlayStation 2 units sold, Sony has since revised its official sales figure to more than 160 million units.
This creates an interesting competitive dynamic between the two consoles. Nintendo expects to sell only four million Switch 1 units by the end of the 2026 fiscal year, representing a 63% decrease from the previous year's 10.8 million units. Whether the Switch can reach the 160 million mark to potentially challenge the PlayStation 2's revised figure remains uncertain.
Market Impact and Industry Significance
The Switch's achievement represents more than just impressive sales numbers. It demonstrates the console's remarkable staying power in a rapidly evolving gaming market. The fact that a nine-year-old console continues to sell millions of units while supporting new game releases is testament to its enduring appeal and Nintendo's strategic approach to hardware transitions.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve with new technologies and business models, the Switch's success story provides valuable insights into console longevity, backward compatibility strategies, and how established player bases can continue to drive significant revenue years after a console's initial launch.
