Switch 2 Early Sales Beat PS5 by 32% and PS4 by 80%
Despite notable skepticism and backlash over its limited pre-launch reviews, high price, concerns about the new game-card distribution model, and the lack of innovation, the Nintendo Switch 2 continues to fly off the shelves, with the gaming giant increasing its full-year sales forecast ahead of the holidays. According to the company's latest financial results, Nintendo sold 4.54 million Switch 2 consoles in Q3 alone, bringing its four-month sales total to 10.36 million units. Moreover, this puts Switch 2 way ahead of Sony's most successful consoles.
According to data presented by Skinsluck.com, with 10.36 million units sold in just four months, Nintendo Switch 2 beats PS5's first six-month sales by 32% and PS4's by a whopping 80%.
Switch 2 Beats Early Sales of All Major Sony Consoles
The past few years have been rough for both Nintendo and its iconic Switch console. Annual sales dipped, falling by over 30% year-on-year in the nine months ending December 31, 2024. Also, the eight-year gap between the original Switch, released in 2017, and Switch 2 left many market analysts feeling the hardware refresh came too late, leaving the gaming giant with an aging console that struggled to keep up.
This mix of events led many to doubt Switch 2's success well before its release, questioning whether its improvements justified the cost and if Nintendo's new pricing and distribution model respected its community. And it turns out they were all wrong.
In the first three days after release, Nintendo sold 3.5 million Switch 2 consoles worldwide, a figure that jumped to 5.8 million by the end of the month. The Switch 2 fever continued in the following months, with Nintendo shipping another 4.5 million consoles in Q3 and pushing the four-month total to a whopping 10.36 million by September 30. While Nintendo still hasn't released Q4 sales figures, usually the strongest quarter for console sales, Switch 2 has already far outpaced all major Sony consoles.
In comparison, with 10.36 million in four-month sales, Switch 2 beats PS5's first six months by more than 30%, with Sony shipping 7.8 million of its latest-generation consoles in this period. The gap between Switch 2 and PS4 is even bigger, roughly 80% or 4.6 million consoles. Even the legendary PS2, still the best-selling console of all time, loses ground to Switch 2, selling 8.1 million units in its first six months, or 27% less than Nintendo's new console.
The Fastest-Selling Next-Gen Console Follows the Success of the Original Switch
The success of the long-awaited Switch 2 only proves Nintendo's dominance in the console gaming space and its strong lead over long-term rival Sony. Not only do the 10.36 million units sold make Switch 2 the fastest-selling next-gen console, but the launch also follows the major success of the original Switch.
Despite its annual sales falling by roughly 30% year-over-year, the Switch has still climbed the chart of the best-selling consoles of all time. With around 154 million units sold as of September, Switch is now the second-best-selling console ever, trailing only the legendary PS2, which hit 160 million in lifetime sales.