Nintendo’s Switch has officially become the company’s top-selling console of all time, surpassing 155 million units since its 2017 launch. This milestone pushes it past the Nintendo DS and makes it second only to Sony’s PlayStation 2, which sold over 160 million units.
Switch 2 Shows Strong Start
Nintendo reported that its sequel, the Switch 2, released in June 2025, has already sold 17 million units by the end of the year. Despite this success, Nintendo’s shares dropped 11% following concerns over software sales and rising memory chip costs.
Iconic Games Drive Switch Success
Industry experts credit the Switch’s achievements to Nintendo’s strong game lineup. Christopher Dring noted that major franchises like Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, and Mario Kart all had hit releases during the Switch era. Even smaller titles like Luigi’s Mansion and Mario Party sold millions.
Freelance video games journalist Rachel Watts added that the pandemic boosted sales, as lockdowns increased demand for home entertainment. “Everyone I knew had a Nintendo Switch,” she said. She also highlighted the console’s appeal to younger audiences and its popularity as a handheld device.
Rising Costs Could Affect Future Sales
Nintendo CEO Shuntaro Furukawa warned that higher memory chip prices could impact profits. The cost of RAM, previously inexpensive, has surged, potentially raising the prices of electronic devices in 2026.
Chris Scullion, deputy editor of Video Games Chronicle, said other factors, including US tariffs and global economic uncertainty, might prevent the Switch 2 from matching the original’s record-breaking sales. “Switch 2’s success is almost certain, but it may sell a lot rather than become Nintendo’s best-selling device ever,” he said.
