Didn't realise the Wii U did that bad, 40k launch when releasing in the holidays is truly pathetic. Getting double that in March is an improvement for sure, and at least suggests that the Switch could comfortably outperform it's predecessor in the UK.

Of course, the problem with Switch is that it is currently a Zelda console, and far less people will be willing to risk buying it when they don't know how well it will be supported in the future. Next couple of weeks maybe interesting,as those who couldn't find a system first week buy in, but Mario Kart Deluxe launch week is the big test. The console needs a good boost that week, because then it's a wait until Splatoon 2, which will barely move the needle anyway in the UK. I see some very low sales going forward until the holidays. Mario Odyssey will sell systems, but I really hope Nintendo have something else big for the holidays tucked away.

Do you really ask? 

Simple...

Because of the huge price difference (  even considering the very high 3ds initial price, especially in Europe ) , both hardware and software, the nature of the system and 3DS still getting significant support from its mother company, unlike the wii u which has been kiled since early 2016!

Also, do you think that all of the 3DS owners seeing switch at its current form, as a 3DS successor? No, and Nintendo doesn't help by calling it a home gaming system.

If switch is really 3ds successor too, then an important portion of  3DS owners should jump, when 3ds will be dead and switch price will be reduced significantly, or  Nintendo releases a more affordable, portable and durable revision!

As I aforesaid, Nintendo was citing that ds was a third pillar and not a replacement for GBA... FAT DS which had gba bc only sold 19m between 2004-2006, didn't deprieved much sales of gba and many gba owner weren't upgrading, ergo people embraced Nintendo's claimings ( it was the  cheaper and slim ds lite along with the ceasement of the support by Nintnedo in 2006 that vanished gba ) !

Imagine now with switch, which is a hybrid console  and doesn't have backward compatability with 3DS, plus that as it is, it reminds wii u, obviously.

In conclusion, switch for the moment, will be selling first and foremost as a wii u successor ( and wii, gc, n64 e.t.c by extend ) !

The Wii, PS4, XB1, Wii U all released November of their respective years

Switch soft launch in March

The impact was not a single week. It sold consistently well after that. It was a turning point for 3ds.

It's going to have one game for months.... it's pretty shocking it only did 80k tbh considering you'd expect Nintendo guys to roar over to the switch.... they are doing that in the U.S. tho

I replied to a specific point. "There is nothing yet on the Switch that would make 3DS owners buy it".

You made it into a much broader one which is beyond what I was discussing. Some good arguments, though.

Ok, but not great. It's lower than the 3ds, and considering it's suppose to be a handheld and home console experience, I'd hope it was better. Let's see if it can have legs.

Ooops...  Oh sorry!

Anyway, I misunderstood but your post was a good reason to say all these things! Actually, to repeat them, because I said similar things previously! lol

you sure it's zelda and not pokemon or mario? price is also a huge factor

It's Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 that are credited with turning the 3DS's fortunes around, not Zelda.