What's happened
Nintendo's Switch console has surpassed 155 million units sold, making it the second-best-selling game console of all time. The new Switch 2 is off to a strong start, with 17.37 million units sold within its first year, driven by high demand and price hikes.
What's behind the headline?
The Switch's record-breaking sales reflect Nintendo's strategic focus on maintaining multiple console editions, including the original and the new Switch 2. The Switch's hybrid design and ongoing software support have sustained consumer interest, even amid price hikes. The rapid adoption of the Switch 2 indicates strong market confidence in Nintendo's innovation. However, the long-term impact depends on how well the company manages the transition to the new hardware and whether software sales continue to grow. The sales figures suggest Nintendo is successfully balancing legacy support with new product launches, but the challenge will be maintaining this momentum as the Switch 2 matures and competition intensifies. The company's ability to sustain high sales volumes will influence its position in the gaming industry for years to come.
What the papers say
Ars Technica reports that Nintendo's Switch has sold over 155 million units, surpassing the original DS. The console's continued sales are driven by high demand and price hikes, with the Switch 2 already selling 17.37 million units in its first year, making it the fastest-selling Nintendo console to date. Meanwhile, AP News highlights Nintendo's record profit increase, driven by the success of the Switch 2 and software sales like Mario Kart. Both sources emphasize Nintendo's strategic success in maintaining legacy consoles alongside new releases, with the Switch's milestone marking a significant achievement in gaming history.
How we got here
The Nintendo Switch, launched in 2017, has maintained strong sales despite the release of the newer Switch 2 in 2025. The original console's continued availability and software updates have kept it relevant, with sales reaching a historic high. Meanwhile, Nintendo's latest console has quickly gained popularity, surpassing previous records for speed of sales and total units sold.
Go deeper
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Nintendo Co., Ltd. is a Japanese multinational consumer electronics and video game company headquartered in Kyoto. The company was founded in 1889 as Nintendo Karuta by craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi and originally produced handmade hanafuda playing cards.
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The Nintendo Switch 2 is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo, released in most regions on June 5, 2025. Like the original Switch, it can be used as a handheld, as a tablet, or connected via the dock to an external display, and the Joy-Con...