Nintendo Switch best-selling console

Nintendo Switch Becomes Best-Selling Console, Surpassing 155 Million Sales

Nintendo has announced that its iconic Nintendo Switch has officially become the best-selling console in the company’s history, surpassing 155 million units sold since its 2017 launch. This achievement comes as the Switch overtakes the Nintendo DS, making it the most successful gaming hardware in the company’s portfolio.

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The success of the Nintendo Switch is even more impressive given that it has only recently surpassed the Nintendo DS, which sold 154 million units globally. With this milestone, the Switch has earned a place in the history books, trailing only behind Sony’s PlayStation 2, which holds the top spot with over 160 million units sold.

Nintendo Switch’s Pandemic Boost

The Nintendo Switch saw significant growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period when many people turned to gaming as a form of entertainment during lockdowns. Industry experts believe this surge in sales can be attributed not only to the global situation but also to Nintendo’s strong library of exclusive titles. Christopher Dring, an industry expert, emphasized that Nintendo’s core franchises — Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, and Mario Kart — all saw their most successful games during the Switch era.

“Everyone I knew had a Nintendo Switch,” said freelance video games journalist Rachel Watts. The portability of the console, combined with the appeal of Nintendo’s wide range of games, including family-friendly titles and those appealing to younger audiences, made the Switch an attractive option for consumers of all ages.

A Bright Future for Switch 2

While the Nintendo Switch enjoys unprecedented success, the company is already eyeing the future with its newly released Switch 2, which launched in June 2025. According to Nintendo’s financial report, the Switch 2 has already made an impressive start, selling 17 million units by the end of 2025. Despite this strong debut, questions remain as to whether it can continue the momentum of its predecessor.

Nintendo’s CEO, Shuntaro Furukawa, expressed some concerns regarding the potential challenges the Switch 2 could face. In a post-results briefing, he mentioned that the rising cost of memory chips, a key component in many electronic devices, could impact profits. The rise in RAM prices, once among the cheapest computer components, coupled with other economic factors like US tariffs and market conditions in Nintendo’s key regions, could lead to an increase in production costs for the Switch 2.

The Challenge of Meeting High Expectations

Despite these challenges, industry experts like Chris Scullion remain optimistic about the Switch 2’s prospects, even if it doesn’t surpass its predecessor’s record-breaking sales. “While the Switch 2’s success is all but guaranteed, Nintendo might have to settle for it ‘only’ selling a lot, rather than it selling more than any other Nintendo device before it,” said Scullion.

The expectations surrounding the Switch 2 are undoubtedly high. But with new titles and continued support for fan favorites, Nintendo is hopeful that its next-generation console will capture the hearts of gamers once again.