Summery
Nintendo has announced that the Nintendo Switch has surpassed 150 million units sold globally, solidifying its position as one of the best-selling gaming consoles in history. Despite this milestone, the latest fiscal report reveals a decline in sales and profits, with hardware sales down 30.6% year-over-year. Looking ahead, the Nintendo Switch needs to sell an additional 14 million units to surpass the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2, while a successor console is set to be unveiled in April 2025, potentially impacting future sales.
Nintendo has recently announced a significant milestone in its latest fiscal report: the Nintendo Switch has now sold over 150 million units worldwide. This achievement solidifies the console’s status as one of the best-selling gaming systems in history, trailing only behind the Nintendo DS (154 million) and PlayStation 2 (160 million). With this trajectory, the Nintendo Switch is poised to potentially claim the top spot in the coming years.
Financial Performance Overview (April–December 2024)
The fiscal report highlights mixed results for Nintendo’s performance during the first three quarters of FY25 (April 1–December 31, 2024):
- Net Sales: ¥956.2 billion ($6.1 billion), a decline of 31.4% year-over-year.
- Operating Profit: ¥247.5 billion ($1.6 billion), down by 46.7%.
- Hardware Sales:
- Total Switch units sold: 9.54 million (-30.6% compared to FY24)
- OLED Model: 5.07 million units (-37.9%)
- Standard Switch: 2.74 million units (-19.4%)
- Switch Lite: 1.73 million units (-20.5%)
- Software Sales:
- Total units sold: 123.98 million (-24.4%)
- Notable titles include:
- The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – 3.4 million units
- Super Mario Party Jamboree – 5.6 million units
- Mario and Luigi: Brothership – 1.4 million units
Despite a slowdown in sales—an expected trend for a console in its eighth year—first-party software remains a key driver for engagement, with popular titles continuing to perform well.
Future Outlook for Nintendo Switch
To surpass the DS and PS2, the Nintendo Switch needs to sell an additional 4 million units to outpace the DS and another 10 million to exceed the PS2’s record. However, with hardware sales experiencing a sharp decline year-over-year and no major first-party game announcements beyond early 2025, analysts believe that the console’s potential for record-breaking sales will depend on sustained demand and strategic pricing strategies.
Upcoming Console Release
Nintendo has confirmed that a successor to the Nintendo Switch will be unveiled later this year, with more details set to be revealed during a Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2, 2025. This new hardware release could impact the longevity of the current Nintendo Switch model, prompting the company to forecast lower sales figures for the upcoming fiscal year.
The ongoing success of the Nintendo Switch is a testament to its enduring popularity and innovative gaming experience, but as it approaches a pivotal transition period, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this iconic console will evolve in response to market demands and technological advancements.
