Nintendo's financial report for the previous quarter was released yesterday, and I've already written up my thoughts on the software side, so, let's dive into the hardware numbers.
Let's start with the original Nintendo Switch, which has predictably seen its sales slow in the wake of the wake of the Switch 2's release, but it still managed to add a little over half a million to its total since the previous report.
The Nintendo Switch family of systems has now sold 156.59 million units since it launched in March of 2017, up from 155.92 million units back in May. Not a massive jump in the grand scheme of things, but it shows that the console is still moving units even as we've settled into the Switch 2 generation.
What I'm personally more interested in is the ongoing race for the console to catch the PlayStation 2 as the bestselling console of all time, which, at this total, it already would have a few years ago before Sony moved the goalposts from >155 million to >160 million (I kid of course, I don't actually think Sony fabricated those numbers to avoid being overtaken, I just find the fact they made that announcement as the Switch started closing in really funny, so I like to make jokes about it).
There was a point where the PS2's sales numbers seemed so astronomically out of reach that no console would ever come close to surpassing it. To say that the Switch has been far more successful than I and many others ever could've anticipated is an understatement to say the least, and it's made more impressive considering it was a bounce back from the failed Wii U era.
As it stands, the Nintendo Switch currently stands as the best selling Nintendo console of all time, home or handheld, having recently surpassed the title's previous holder, the Nintendo DS, which sold 154.02 units, as well as the second best selling video game console... ever, period. The PS2 is the last hurdle to clear at over 160 million, and the number will continue to draw closer and closer with every financial report that's released.
Whether it can actually claim the crown for itself depends on if it can continue to sell enough before its eventual discontinuation to close the remaining 3 and a half million unit gap. We already know that Nintendo will stop selling the Switch 1 family in Europe starting in February of next year to comply with EU legislation on replaceable batteries, rather than going through the effort of updating nearly 10 year old hardware. That could be a major blow to its chances, and there's also the fact that, with last month's release of Rhythm Heaven Groove, there are no remaining currently announced first party games in the pipeline releasing on Switch 1. Whether this will remain the case, we'll have to wait and see. I personally think we're gonna see some ports and remasters released on the platform in the coming years as it winds down, but it wouldn't surprise me if Groove is the final original Nintendo game for the platform.
At the same time, I don't see the original Switch going anywhere outside of Europe anytime soon, as, in this time of rapidly rising prices, the Switch 1 serves as a great budget option, being much more affordable than, really, anything else on the market right now (especially the Lite!), and already has a vast selection of great games. I feel like if the Switch 1 remains in production for at least 2 more years, it stands a strong chance of surpassing the PS2's lifetime total.
At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter that much whether or not the Switch 1 ultimately manages to claim the PS2's crown, I just think it's something fun to keep an eye on as the Switch 1 approaches the end of its life, and I always find it fun to watch records previously thought to be untouchable get crushed. In my eyes, it would essentially be the video game hardware equivalent of Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL goal record last year (yes I am a massive hockey fan, Go Canes btw).
Okay, on to Switch 2, which has continued its strong start entering its second year on the market. It now sits at 23.68 million units sold, up from 19.86 million in the previous financial report, a jump of nearly 4 million! Not only that, but in just over a year, the Switch 2 has already surpassed the Nintendo GameCube's lifetime sales of 21.74 million, and has almost doubled the Wii U's total of 13.56 million. Not too shabby!
Now, I don't expect the Switch 2 to ever reach the heights of the Switch 1's sales for a few reasons, primarily being much more expensive for both hardware and software, and the simple fact that many casual consumers will be perfectly content with their Switch 1s. However, it's clearly on track to perform quite well throughout the generation, especially when you consider that many system selling titles, such as a new 3D Mario, an original Zelda, an exclusive Pokemon, a new Animal Crossing, and potentially a new Smash Bros, have yet to arrive. I'm fairly certain all of these will come in due time, and that they all will give the console a pretty substantial boost when they release. The Switch 2 generation is still just getting started and has plenty of runway ahead, so it'll be interesting to see the trajectory it follows in the months and years to come, especially with the unfortunate incoming price hikes.
In summary, despite higher prices, Nintendo still seems to be doing quite well for themselves. When the next financial report rolls around, I'll be very interested to see how titles like Star Fox, Rhythm Heaven Groove, and Splatoon Raiders have fared, as well as if Tomodachi Life can continue selling and potentially become a 10 million seller. Now that would be something.
