According to KitGuru.net, Nintendo’s latest earnings report reveals the Switch 2 has officially sold 10.36 million units as of September 30. That’s just four months after the console’s launch, putting it within striking distance of the Wii U’s entire lifetime sales of 13.56 million units. Meanwhile, the original Switch has reached 154.01 million units sold, sitting just 0.01 million behind the Nintendo DS and about 6 million units away from surpassing the PlayStation 2 as the best-selling console of all time. Interestingly, Nintendo has actually increased the price of the aging Switch 1 rather than discounting it, which raises questions about whether the nearly 9-year-old system can maintain enough momentum to claim the top spot.
<h2 id="switch-2-momentum”>What the numbers really mean
Ten million units in four months is absolutely massive, but here’s the thing – Nintendo deliberately ensured strong supply during the launch period. They learned from the Switch 1’s chronic shortages and basically made sure anyone who wanted a Switch 2 could get one. That means these numbers represent genuine demand rather than artificial scarcity driving hype.
And think about this comparison for a second: the Switch 2 has almost matched the Wii U’s entire lifetime sales in just four months. That’s brutal when you consider the Wii U had years on the market. It shows just how badly consumers wanted a true successor to the Switch rather than another gimmicky experiment.
The original Switch’s surprising staying power
What’s really fascinating is that the Switch 1 isn’t just fading away. 154 million units is staggering, and being this close to the all-time record is something nobody predicted back in 2017. But raising prices on a nearly decade-old console? That’s either brilliant or desperate.
I’m genuinely curious whether Nintendo can squeeze out those last 6 million units to beat the PS2. They’re basically betting that the Switch’s unique hybrid design and massive library will keep attracting new buyers even with a shiny new model available. It’s a risky move that could either pay off spectacularly or fall flat.
Where this leaves the competition
While Sony and Microsoft are pushing expensive $500+ consoles with diminishing returns on graphics, Nintendo has carved out this incredibly profitable niche. The Switch 2’s success basically confirms that there’s still massive demand for affordable, innovative hardware that prioritizes fun over raw power.
And let’s be real – nobody else is even competing in this space. The Steam Deck and other PC handhelds are great, but they’re premium devices for a different audience. Nintendo owns the family-friendly, pick-up-and-play market, and these numbers prove they’re not giving it up anytime soon.
The big question now is whether Nintendo can maintain this momentum through the crucial holiday season and into 2025. If you’re interested in following more gaming industry analysis, consider supporting independent coverage on Patreon.
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