Nintendo Switch sales figures through 2024

Nintendo has sold over 139 million Switch consoles worldwide as of the most recent reports in 2024. This makes the Switch one of the best-selling gaming consoles in history, behind only the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS. The console launched in March 2017 and has remained in active production for seven years, which explains the high cumulative total.

Sales numbers come from Nintendo's official quarterly earnings reports, which the company releases to shareholders. These reports break down hardware sales by region and fiscal year, so the figures are audited and public. Nintendo typically reports sales in millions of units, rounded to the nearest tenth.

The Switch's sales have remained steady even as the console aged. In fiscal year 2023 (April 2023 to March 2024), Nintendo sold approximately 13.5 million Switch units. This was lower than peak years like 2020 and 2021, when pandemic demand pushed annual sales above 28 million units, but still substantial for a console in its seventh year on the market.

Key Takeaways

  • Nintendo has sold more than 139 million Switch consoles worldwide since launch in March 2017.
  • The Switch ranks as the third best-selling console ever, behind only the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS.
  • Sales peaked during 2020 and 2021 when pandemic lockdowns drove demand for home entertainment.
  • Nintendo reports official sales figures quarterly to shareholders, making these numbers audited and verifiable.
  • The Switch remains in production and continues to sell millions of units annually despite being seven years old.

Why the Switch sold so many units

The Switch's hybrid design — a console that works as a home system connected to a TV or as a portable handheld — appealed to a broader audience than traditional gaming consoles. Players who wanted portability could take it anywhere; players who preferred a traditional setup could dock it and use a controller. This flexibility meant the Switch competed in multiple markets at once.

Nintendo's game library also drove sales. The Switch launched with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which many reviewers called one of the best games ever made. Over the following years, Nintendo released Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and dozens of other popular titles. Animal Crossing in particular sold over 42 million copies and became a cultural phenomenon during 2020 lockdowns.

The console also had a lower price point than PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, making it more accessible to families and casual players. The original Switch launched at $299, while later models like the Switch Lite ($199) and Switch OLED ($349) gave buyers options at different price points.

Regional breakdown of Switch sales

Sales were not evenly distributed across the world. Japan, where Nintendo is headquartered, accounted for roughly 30 million units sold. The Americas (North and South America combined) represented the largest market, with approximately 55 to 60 million units. Europe and other regions made up the remainder.

The Switch performed particularly well in Japan because Nintendo has deep cultural roots there and Japanese players have always favored portable gaming. The Americas saw strong sales partly because of the console's appeal to families and the popularity of games like Mario Kart and Animal Crossing in North America specifically.

How Switch sales compare to other Nintendo consoles

The Switch far outsold the Wii U, Nintendo's previous home console, which sold only 13.5 million units over its entire lifespan. The Switch also exceeded the original Wii, which sold approximately 101 million units — though the Wii had a longer sales window and benefited from the motion-control novelty of that era.

The Switch's 139 million units puts it behind the PlayStation 2 (155 million) and the Nintendo DS (154 million), but ahead of the original PlayStation (102 million) and Xbox 360 (84 million). It is the best-selling home console ever, since the DS and PS2 were technically portable and home systems respectively, though that distinction blurs with modern hardware.

What happened to Switch sales during the pandemic

The Switch experienced a dramatic sales spike in 2020 and 2021 when COVID-19 lockdowns kept people at home. Nintendo sold 28.9 million units in fiscal year 2020 and 28.8 million in fiscal year 2021 — the two highest-selling years in the console's history. Animal Crossing: New Horizons released in March 2020, right as lockdowns began, and became a cultural touchstone for people stuck at home.

After 2021, sales normalized to around 15 to 20 million units annually. This was still strong, but reflected the return to normal activity rather than pandemic-driven demand. The console was also aging by this point, and rumors about a successor had begun circulating, which may have caused some buyers to wait.

The Switch OLED model and recent sales trends

Nintendo released the Switch OLED model in October 2021 at a $349 price point. This version featured a larger, brighter screen and better speakers than the original Switch, but the same games and performance. The OLED model helped sustain sales in 2022 and 2023 by giving existing Switch owners a reason to upgrade and attracting new buyers who wanted the improved screen.

The Switch Lite, released in 2019 at $199, remained popular as an entry-level option for players who did not need the docking feature. By offering three price points — Lite, standard, and OLED — Nintendo kept the console relevant to different budgets and use cases.

What these numbers mean for Switch owners

High sales figures indicate that the Switch will continue to receive third-party game support and that Nintendo will maintain online services for years to come. A console with 139 million units in the wild has a large installed base, which makes it attractive to game developers. This means new games will likely continue releasing for the Switch even after Nintendo announces a successor.

The large user base also means the secondhand market for Switch consoles and games remains active. If you are looking to buy a used Switch, you will find plenty of options. Conversely, if you own a Switch and want to sell it, demand remains strong enough that you should be able to find a buyer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Switch still being manufactured?

Yes, Nintendo continues to manufacture Switch consoles in all three models: the standard Switch, the Switch Lite, and the Switch OLED. Production levels may decrease over time as a successor approaches, but the company has not announced an end-of-life date for the Switch.

How do Nintendo's sales numbers compare to PlayStation and Xbox?

The PlayStation 5 has sold approximately 40 million units since its November 2020 launch, while the Xbox Series X and S combined have sold around 25 million units. The Switch's 139 million total is much higher, but that reflects seven years of sales versus four to five years for the newer consoles. Annual sales rates are closer when you compare year-to-year figures.

Will the Switch sales numbers keep growing?

Sales will likely continue but at a slower rate. Nintendo has not announced a successor console yet, but industry analysts expect one within the next year or two. Once a new console launches, Switch sales will probably decline as players migrate to the newer hardware. However, the Switch may continue selling at lower volumes for several years after that, similar to how the Wii continued selling after the Wii U launched.

Why did sales drop after 2021?

The 2020 and 2021 peaks were driven by pandemic lockdowns and the Animal Crossing phenomenon. As people returned to normal activities and the initial novelty wore off, demand normalized to sustainable levels. Additionally, the console was aging and players began anticipating a successor, which may have caused some to delay purchases.

Where can I find the official sales numbers?

Nintendo publishes official sales figures in its quarterly earnings reports, available on the investor relations section of Nintendo's website. These reports include hardware sales broken down by region and fiscal quarter, along with software sales for major titles.