Nintendo Switch has officially become Nintendo’s best-selling hardware platform of all time, surpassing the legendary Nintendo DS.
According to the company’s latest financial report, released in June 2024, global sales for the Nintendo Switch have reached a remarkable 155.37 million units since its launch in March 2017.
This achievement places the hybrid gaming system at the pinnacle of Nintendo’s hardware history, overtaking the Nintendo DS's previous record of 154.02 million units sold. This sales milestone not only cements the Switch's dominance within Nintendo’s hardware lineup but also demonstrates the ongoing appeal of the platform, nearly eight years after its debut.
Nintendo’s financial statement highlights the enduring success of the Switch family, fueled by a steady lineup of acclaimed first-party titles, consistent hardware updates, widespread global availability, and strong digital performance through the Nintendo eShop. While the Nintendo Switch has now reached the summit among Nintendo platforms, there remains one key benchmark in the global gaming industry: Sony’s PlayStation 2.
Historically, Sony reported over 155 million PlayStation 2 units sold as of March 2012.
More recent data, cited in 2024, puts the PlayStation 2’s total lifetime sales at 160.63 million units.
Although the Nintendo Switch remains available worldwide and Nintendo has not announced immediate plans to end its production, the introduction of the Nintendo Switch 2 could present new challenges for further growth.
Regardless, surpassing the PlayStation 2 would require an additional 5 million units sold to take the all-time industry crown. A Nintendo representative, commenting on the report, reaffirmed the company's gratitude for sustained fan support and emphasized the Switch’s role in connecting players globally through accessible hardware and software.
"We are grateful for the continued enthusiasm around Nintendo Switch, which has helped us reach this historic milestone," the spokesperson stated, highlighting the broad appeal and long-term strategy that have underpinned the system’s impact. The Nintendo Switch launched to critical acclaim in 2017, introducing an innovative hybrid design that allows seamless transition between handheld and docked modes.
It has since hosted several best-selling software franchises, including 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons,' 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,' and 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.' The ongoing release of exclusive titles, coupled with the platform’s adaptability, has enabled the Switch to remain a centerpiece of global gaming conversations, from headline-grabbing announcements in Nintendo Direct presentations to robust sales on the Nintendo eShop. With this latest milestone, the Nintendo Switch's legacy is further secured as a transformative force in the gaming industry.
Fans and industry analysts alike continue to watch the platform as it enters what could be its final years, looking to see if it can reach or even surpass the PlayStation 2’s formidable sales benchmark.
According to the company’s latest financial report, released in June 2024, global sales for the Nintendo Switch have reached a remarkable 155.37 million units since its launch in March 2017.
This achievement places the hybrid gaming system at the pinnacle of Nintendo’s hardware history, overtaking the Nintendo DS's previous record of 154.02 million units sold. This sales milestone not only cements the Switch's dominance within Nintendo’s hardware lineup but also demonstrates the ongoing appeal of the platform, nearly eight years after its debut.
Nintendo’s financial statement highlights the enduring success of the Switch family, fueled by a steady lineup of acclaimed first-party titles, consistent hardware updates, widespread global availability, and strong digital performance through the Nintendo eShop. While the Nintendo Switch has now reached the summit among Nintendo platforms, there remains one key benchmark in the global gaming industry: Sony’s PlayStation 2.
Historically, Sony reported over 155 million PlayStation 2 units sold as of March 2012.
More recent data, cited in 2024, puts the PlayStation 2’s total lifetime sales at 160.63 million units.
Although the Nintendo Switch remains available worldwide and Nintendo has not announced immediate plans to end its production, the introduction of the Nintendo Switch 2 could present new challenges for further growth.
Regardless, surpassing the PlayStation 2 would require an additional 5 million units sold to take the all-time industry crown. A Nintendo representative, commenting on the report, reaffirmed the company's gratitude for sustained fan support and emphasized the Switch’s role in connecting players globally through accessible hardware and software.
"We are grateful for the continued enthusiasm around Nintendo Switch, which has helped us reach this historic milestone," the spokesperson stated, highlighting the broad appeal and long-term strategy that have underpinned the system’s impact. The Nintendo Switch launched to critical acclaim in 2017, introducing an innovative hybrid design that allows seamless transition between handheld and docked modes.
It has since hosted several best-selling software franchises, including 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons,' 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,' and 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.' The ongoing release of exclusive titles, coupled with the platform’s adaptability, has enabled the Switch to remain a centerpiece of global gaming conversations, from headline-grabbing announcements in Nintendo Direct presentations to robust sales on the Nintendo eShop. With this latest milestone, the Nintendo Switch's legacy is further secured as a transformative force in the gaming industry.
Fans and industry analysts alike continue to watch the platform as it enters what could be its final years, looking to see if it can reach or even surpass the PlayStation 2’s formidable sales benchmark.
