Nintendo Switch 2 Sales Outpace PlayStation 4 and Original Switch in US Launch

Nintendo Switch 2 Sets New US Sales Record, Outperforms PlayStation 4 and Original Switch Nintendo’s latest hardware release, the Nintendo Switch 2, is off to a remarkable start, quickly establishing itself as a top contender in the current generation of gaming consoles.

Released globally in June 2024, the Switch 2 has continued Nintendo’s tradition of hybrid home-and-portable gaming, capturing the attention of both core gamers and families worldwide.

Industry analysts and sales data now confirm that the Switch 2 is not only surpassing its predecessor but also breaking previous industry benchmarks set by Sony’s PlayStation 4. Impressive Launch Period: 2.4 Million Units Sold in Three Months According to recent market analysis from Circana, a leading U.S.

consumer data and analytics firm, the Nintendo Switch 2 sold an impressive 2.4 million units across the United States within its first three months on the market (June–August 2024).

Mat Piscatella, Executive Director and gaming industry advisor at Circana, highlighted the significance of this achievement, noting that the Switch 2's early sales represent a five percent increase over the PlayStation 4’s record-setting launch, which saw 2.2 million units sold during a comparable period from November 2013 to January 2014. Piscatella observed, “With 2.4 million units sold in its first three months, the Nintendo Switch 2 is five percent ahead of the PlayStation 4’s previous record pace for U.S.

console hardware launches.” Offsetting Declines Across Competing Platforms The robust sales performance of the Nintendo Switch 2 is particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of declining hardware sales for other consoles.

Piscatella pointed out that while the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and original Switch have experienced double-digit percentage declines in the same timeframe, the Switch 2’s strong momentum has buoyed overall industry performance. Further, Switch 2 unit sales are trending 77 percent ahead of the time-aligned sales of the original Nintendo Switch, amplifying the console’s impressive debut. Global Success and Best-Selling Titles Nintendo’s own financial results, disclosed in August 2024, confirmed that the Switch 2 had exceeded 6 million units sold globally just seven weeks after launch.

The company provided a regional breakdown showcasing robust sales in key markets, including North America, Europe, and Japan. In terms of software, Donkey Kong Bananza emerged as a best-seller in the United States for August 2024, landing in seventh place among top-selling titles—even excluding digital sales figures.

This widespread software support, combined with strong hardware adoption, signals continued success for Nintendo’s latest platform. The Nintendo Switch 2 is currently available via major retailers and the Nintendo eShop.

As sales momentum continues, the Switch 2 is cementing its position as one of the fastest-selling consoles in U.S.

history, underscoring Nintendo’s lasting influence in the gaming industry.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo PlayStation Switch 2 Switch US PlayStation 4 Xbox Series X|S PS4 console Xbox X|S Circana Mat Piscatella Donkey Kong Bananza