Nintendo Switch Approaches Historic Sales Milestone, Closing In on PlayStation 2 Record in the U.S.

The ongoing success of the Nintendo Switch is drawing closer to matching the illustrious sales record of the PlayStation 2 in the United States. Recent analysis indicates that the Switch is positioned well to surpass the PlayStation 2's lifetime sales figures within the region.

Insights from Mat Piscatella, a prominent video game industry analyst at Circana, suggest that the current sales landscape remains dynamic. He pointed out that the PS5 maintains a 7% lead over the PS4's lifetime sales while the Switch only trails behind the PlayStation 2 by 1.1 million units in total sales to date.

Piscatella also provided updates on the performance of Xbox Series consoles, noting they are closely aligned with the sales trajectory of the Xbox 360 and are expected to receive a boost soon. He mentioned that this evolving conversation could be worth revisiting as we approach the next couple of weeks.

The trajectory of the Nintendo Switch aligns closely with recent reports of Nintendo's financial success for the first quarter of 2024. By June 30, the combined sales of all Nintendo Switch consoles reached approximately 143.42 million units worldwide, inching closer to the PlayStation 2's global lifetime total of around 155-160 million units.

Although sales figures for the Nintendo Switch have shown some decline, the console has consistently demonstrated remarkable longevity since its debut in March 2017. Its enduring popularity remains evident despite fluctuations in hardware sales.

Moreover, even with the anticipated launch of the next-generation Nintendo Switch 2 approaching next year, Nintendo appears committed to continuing support for the current Switch lineup for the foreseeable future. A notable example is the unveiling of Metroid Prime 4 Beyond during the Nintendo Direct event on June 18, which is set to release in 2025 for the Nintendo Switch. This has sparked discussions about the possibility of a cross-platform release similar to that of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which debuted on the Wii U back in 2017.