Switch sales took an unexpected downward turn in 2024, falling faster than Nintendo had initially anticipated. Despite this decline, the Switch might still have a shot at becoming the best-selling console of all time.
Since its launch in March 2017, Nintendo’s hybrid console has been a powerhouse, consistently bolstered by a lineup of beloved games. The console’s popularity soared during the 2020 pandemic, creating a situation where even a four-year-old system was hard to find in many areas. Starting from 2021, however, sales have been gradually declining, albeit at a slow pace.
This downward trend has recently gained momentum, as indicated by Nintendo’s financial report for the third quarter of the fiscal year ending March 2025, covering October to December 2024. By the end of this period, the Switch had sold 150.86 million units lifetime, a notable increase from 139.4 million at the end of 2023, moving 11.5 million units in 2024 alone. While these numbers are strong for a console nearing its eighth birthday, the sales decline is surpassing Nintendo’s expectations. Consequently, the company adjusted its sales forecast for FY 2025 from 12.5 million to 11 million units, reflecting a 12% reduction.
In the grand scheme of console history, here are the top five best-sellers:
– PS2: 158 million
– DS: 154.02 million
– Switch: 150.86 million
– Game Boy (and GB Color): 118.69 million
– PS4: 117.2 million
Nintendo also revised its software sales expectations, lowering the projected Switch game sales for FY 2025 from 160 million to 150 million, a drop of 6.25%. They plan to provide guidance for the next fiscal year in May 2025.
Here’s how the Switch has performed globally by calendar year:
| Year | Sales | YoY Change | Lifetime Sales |
|——|——-|————|—————-|
| 2017 | 14.86m | N/A | 14.86m |
| 2018 | 17.41m | +17.16% | 32.27m |
| 2019 | 20.21m | +16.08% | 52.48m |
| 2020 | 27.39m | +35.53% | 79.87m |
| 2021 | 23.67m | -13.58% | 103.54m |
| 2022 | 19.01m | -19.69% | 122.55m |
| 2023 | 16.81m | -11.57% | 139.36m |
| 2024 | 11.5m | -31.59% | 150.86m |
In a recent earnings call, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa reassured stakeholders that, despite the approaching launch of the Switch’s successor in 2025, the company remains committed to supporting the original Switch. There’s still a chance for it to reach the top of the sales charts, needing only about 8 million more units to surpass the PS2. The imminent release of the Switch 2 could result in a price drop for the original model, potentially boosting sales.
It’s quite possible the Switch will soon outpace the DS to become Nintendo’s best-selling console, as it trails by only 3.16 million units. As for the next generation, Nintendo’s second hybrid device isn’t expected to hit store shelves until after June 2025.
