https://www.dfcint.com/dossier/can-nintendo-switch-pass-the-100-million-unit-mark/

The Nintendo Switch has been a strong success story in 2019.  The September launch of the Nintendo Switch Lite doubles down on the portable element of the system. There is now a serious question about whether the Switch will eventually join the elite group of video game systems that have passed 100 million units in hardware sales.

DFC Intelligence has been cautious about forecasting Nintendo sales because every year since 2008, sales have fallen short of estimates.  In 2018, the Nintendo Switch met DFC forecasts but only because of a strong December.

So far 2019 sales for the Nintendo Switch have been strong.  However, over two-thirds of sales will occur in the final months.  In the latest game system forecasts, DFC forecasts that the Nintendo Switch will sell a total of 17 million units in 2019.  This will put it close to the 50 million-unit mark lifetime.

The only video game systems that have sold over 100 million units are the PlayStation 2, the Nintendo Wii and now the PlayStation 4.  The Switch has a long way to go to reach that mark, but it is possible.

Among our test group, Nintendo’s popularity has soared in the past year.  The major driver of the Switch is its portability feature.  Younger consumers in particular love this feature.  Along with Minecraft, Nintendo has become the surprise success of 2019 among a younger, jaded U.S. audience.

The Nintendo Switch Lite is a portable only $200 version of the Switch.  Nintendo portable devices can sell far more than their console counterparts.  The Nintendo DS sold over 150 million units.  Its successor the 3DS has sold over 75 million in the smartphone era.

With a portable system, there is the ability to sell multiple units to a single household.  If you are a family with children, each child needs their own system.  The Nintendo Switch Lite is clearly targeted towards that demographic.

In the end, DFC forecasts that the Switch, including the Switch Lite, will fall just short of the 100 million mark.  Of course, much of this will depend on the new systems from Sony and Microsoft.

The challenge Nintendo faces is that the company is purposely self-limiting.  Nintendo wants to sell software for a premium price and thus is very strict about digital rights management.  Online services and data management are difficult on Nintendo platforms.

Not surprisingly many of the early reviews on the Nintendo Switch Lite focus on the difficulty of content management.  Today’s consumer demographic loves portability.  However, they also have a limited tolerance for challenges when it comes to accessing games.

Overall, these are fairly small problems for Nintendo.  The larger problem will be competition.  Nintendo investors worry about Apple, Google and smartphones.  However, the real competition is devices from Sony and Microsoft.

Nintendo works in a more high-end niche of consumers willing to pay for dedicated video game hardware.  There are now over 300 million consumers in that “niche.” Nintendo still has plenty of room for growth.

Long term Sony and Microsoft need an answer to the portable feature.  The track record of both companies in that area is weak.  Recently with the PlayStation Vita, Sony had a major failure trying to create a portable/console hybrid.  Nintendo’s own Wii U showed the difficulty and learning curve in trying to go in this direction.

In terms of hardware units, the Nintendo Switch is expected to be the best-selling system of both 2019 and 2020.  It should eventually become one of the top-selling game systems of all-time.  However, the Switch will only be hitting the 50 million-unit mark at three years after launch.  Reaching the 100 million-unit mark will be difficult.

When talking with investors, it should be noted that a focus on gaining more value per user is key to success.  Furthermore, making sure these users provide long-term value is crucial.  Many companies are focused on nickel and diming consumers with free-to-play and loot box mechanics.  That can be good for the short-term but can hurt when it comes to bringing consumers back.

Nintendo can charge a premium because they provide value for the consumer.  They can be an expensive product, but they also provide quality.  So far Nintendo has avoided going for the cheap buck.

The portability of the Switch expands the options and allows key portable Nintendo franchises like Pokemon and Fire Emblem to reach their intended audience, even in the smartphone era.

The article is from September 2019, since then we know they have been wrong on the 2019 sales numbers (way over 17 million). And overall, despite its blockbuster success, Switch is still seen as a non-reliable big seller, and I really don't understand why.

And analysts still publish this kind of article without understanding what is really appealing to the Switch audience and why it is different from the Wii.

Well I don't, and the worst part is when you see the explanations: https://gamedaily.biz/article/1235/nintendo-switch-will-be-best-selling-console-of-2019-and-2020-but-can-it-reach-100m

Kantan’s email also referenced a quote from former Nintendo CEO Tatsumi Kimishima soon after the launch of Switch that said Nintendo was expecting to sell 110 million units. Cole said that although it’s “not impossible,” it is “a bit of a stretch.”

“The main thing they need to have happen is families buying multiple units,” he said. “I think the price needs to come down and it needs to be a little more user friendly in terms of using software across platforms. Switch Online is reasonably priced but a little half-assed. They seemed almost embarrassed to market it. Features like voice chat are weak on the Switch.”

Thinks it is sold at a too high pricepoint, despite its blockbuster success. I don't get what they aren't getting it right

Originally, I didn’t think it would, but now I do. I thought PS5 would potentially force it to peak and slow down drastically, but now I’m sure neither platform will have an effect on the other.

Like they said in one of my favorite TV shows: Myth busted

Yea i mean at that period last year it was possible to think 2019 was going to be the peak and to eventually fall a little starting 2020. But now it's pretty clear that the momentum isn't stopping soon and they have multiple cards to prevent a drastic decline.

The next-gen argument also is not really viable anymore, Switch's demand is at it's peak right now and there is 1 console of the 2 next gens revealed almost entirely and the other one as been in the media for a while with spec announcements, logo and now controller. The thing is, they might have problems with the manufacturing of these so the launch might be less impressive than anticipated. Many games are having developments issues because of Covid-19 and maybe for this reason some games that were suppose to be a launch title might miss the target (maybe the entire launch will be postponed tbh) and the first months should be pretty weak.

Imo, there is no way now the Switch will miss the 100 million mark. It will definetly beat the Wii and climb a little higher. If Nintendo was hoping 110 millions i'm sure it means the Switch lifecycle isn't done anytime soon and they won't pull the plug quickly. I think it could reach around 115-125 millions.

I still think where PS4 is at now or last reported by Sony at 108 million is where Switch will finish.

How the hell could Wii and DS in 2008 and 2009 have “failed to meet estimates”? How high were their estimates?!

They even forgot PS1.

+ the PS1.... one of the worst "reports" I have read in a while. It's obvious they have no clue how the industry works in general. 

Same here.... Though I am expecting it to have a somewhat steep decline at one point (as most systems do as of late) I am still fairly confident that even 120 million is attainable in the long run for them. Anything under 100 million is fairytale land at the moment.