With 146 Million Switch Units Sold, What’s Next for Nintendo?

In its recent financial update for the third quarter of 2024, Nintendo revealed impressive achievements in both hardware and software sales.

As of September 30, 2024, the Nintendo Switch has sold a remarkable 146.04 million units, with an increase of 2.62 million units during the third quarter alone.

The total number of games sold for the console has now exceeded 1.306 billion copies, with 39.64 million of those sold in the same quarter.

Nintendo emphasized the success of its latest game releases:

• Nintendo Switch Sports, following a summer update, has achieved sales of 14.37 million copies.
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has sold 2.58 million copies.
• The remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door reached 1.94 million in sales.
• Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD has garnered 1.57 million copies sold.

Additionally, Nintendo provided updated sales figures for its top ten best-selling Switch titles:

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — 64.27 million
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons — 46.45 million
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — 35.14 million
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — 32.29 million
• Super Mario Odyssey — 28.50 million
• Pokemon Sword and Shield — 26.44 million
• Pokemon Scarlet and Violet — 25.69 million
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — 21.04 million
• Super Mario Party — 20.98 million
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe — 17.77 million

Looking ahead, Nintendo confirmed plans to unveil the successor to the Switch, informally dubbed the “Nintendo Switch 2,” by March 31, 2025. While specific details about the new console remain scarce, it is expected to be backward compatible with existing Switch games.

Industry analysts predict that the Switch 2 will dominate the next console generation, with projections suggesting it could sell over 17 million units in its first year and maintain sales of over 20 million annually thereafter.

Recent leaks hint at exciting features for the Switch 2, including a U-shaped kickstand, magnetic Joy-Cons, and larger buttons. DFC Intelligence, a gaming and digital media research firm, forecasts that Nintendo will lead the console market from 2025 through 2028, largely due to the early launch of the Switch 2 and the strong legacy of the original Switch, which became the best-selling console of all time in the U.S. in 2024.

While competition from Sony and Microsoft is anticipated, DFC predicts that the next PlayStation will have a slight edge over Xbox, thanks to Sony’s dedicated fan base and a robust lineup of exclusive titles.

However, the report also notes that Microsoft may focus more on software in the coming years, potentially benefiting both Nintendo and Sony.

Despite the optimism surrounding the Switch 2, analysts caution that Nintendo’s early lead will depend on its ability to manufacture enough consoles to meet demand.

Rumors suggest that mass production of the Switch 2 is already underway, which could alleviate potential supply issues. As excitement builds within the industry, the anticipation for Nintendo’s next console continues to grow.