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Forums - Sales Discussion - The Road to 160m+ for Nintendo Switch

eldanielfire said:
xMetroid said:

I mean, it will be at around 153-154 at the end of March next year with around 12.5 millions. I think it's safe to say Switch will continue to sell around 6-8 millions lifetime after that. It will 100% become the best selling system of all time.

There's no guarantee of this. Look at the last time Nintendo hit these heights, the Nintendo DS dropped from 17.5 Million to 5 million when the 3DS came out, and that was with a bad 3DS launch. The DS sold a total of 7 and a bit million more for the rest of it's lifetime because the 3DS was backwards compatible and the DS was a saturated market.

The Switch sales are slowing faster than the 3DS already prior to the successors launch, the idea it will continue strong sales after the Successor is launched is not in any way guaranteed. In fact history suggests the opposite.

It still has great games coming to it and as you said it, even the DS sold around 7 millions after the 3DS. Thing is i don't think if the 3DS was successful the DS would have sold way less. So if the Switch 2 has a successful launch, i don't think it will stop the Switch of selling anothing 6-8 millions in 2-3 years



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xMetroid said:
eldanielfire said:

There's no guarantee of this. Look at the last time Nintendo hit these heights, the Nintendo DS dropped from 17.5 Million to 5 million when the 3DS came out, and that was with a bad 3DS launch. The DS sold a total of 7 and a bit million more for the rest of it's lifetime because the 3DS was backwards compatible and the DS was a saturated market.

The Switch sales are slowing faster than the 3DS already prior to the successors launch, the idea it will continue strong sales after the Successor is launched is not in any way guaranteed. In fact history suggests the opposite.

It still has great games coming to it and as you said it, even the DS sold around 7 millions after the 3DS. Thing is i don't think if the 3DS was successful the DS would have sold way less. So if the Switch 2 has a successful launch, i don't think it will stop the Switch of selling anothing 6-8 millions in 2-3 years

As said the DS was selling higher than the Switch is now when the 3ds came. We can assume thar the Switch with the same level of sales drop would sell less.



eldanielfire said:
xMetroid said:

It still has great games coming to it and as you said it, even the DS sold around 7 millions after the 3DS. Thing is i don't think if the 3DS was successful the DS would have sold way less. So if the Switch 2 has a successful launch, i don't think it will stop the Switch of selling anothing 6-8 millions in 2-3 years

As said the DS was selling higher than the Switch is now when the 3ds came. We can assume thar the Switch with the same level of sales drop would sell less.

But who tells you that the Switch will drop like the DS did? From 2023-2024 Switch went from 17,97 to 15,70 million.

IF we compare the Switch to the DS launch aligned (its 8th fiscal year on the market). The DS sold 5,10 million units. The Switch sold close to that the last 2 quaters ALONE!! The FY after (2012/13) the DS sold 0,12 million and 0,03 million in its final FY (2014/15). Thats just for better understanding. The Switch won't sell less than 5,10 million this FY. I think its fairly obvious that the Switch will sell more this FY (maybe even next quater alone) than the DS did in it's final 3 FYs combined. I do not see the Switch under 155 million LTD and thats only IF Nintendo cancels MP4B, Pokémon Z-A, Prof. Layton, not doing Gen 10 cross gen (RUMOR!), no price cut, basically giving the Switch a PSVita/ WiiU treatement post sucessor launch and that won't happen.



There’s no point in jumping to calculations just yet. It would be more prudent to wait for the final results from Q3, or better yet, Q4. By then, the number of Switch units shipped will provide a much clearer picture of whether the PS2’s record can realistically be surpassed.

Nevertheless, here are the key figures: As of March 31, 2024, 141.32 million Switch units had been shipped. Nintendo originally projected 13.5 million additional units for the fiscal year 2025 but has since lowered that forecast by one million to 12.5 million units. However, for my calculations, this adjustment is irrelevant, as I am already using a conservative estimate of 11 million for FY 2025. So even if Nintendo revises its estimate down further, my calculations remain valid:

  • FY 2025: 141.32 million + 11 million = 152.32 million.

For FY 2026, I anticipate a substantial 50% decline in sales to around 5.5 million units (the release date of the Switch 2 does not significantly impact this estimate, even if it launches as early as April 1, 2025). This results in:

  • FY 2026: 152.32 million + 5.5 million = 157.82 million.

That would leave only 2.18 million for the rest of the Switch's life to reach 160 million. Frankly, it seems very unlikely that these 2.18 million units would not be sold. The Switch 2, after all, would not reach its one-year anniversary until sometime in FY 2027, so production of the original Switch is almost certain to continue well into that year. Even in FY 2028, when the Switch 2 turns two, it’s highly improbable that Nintendo would stop production of its massively successful predecessor. Realistically, the earliest potential end to Switch production would be early in FY 2029 (April 2028).

Thus, with my calculations above, even the likelihood that the theoretical (but unrealistic) high point  of 161.8 million PS2 units will be surpassed, even if production ends as early as April 2028, is quite high (though by a narrow margin).

Interestingly, if we compare unit sales in the “Other countries” category for the first half of FY 2025 to FY 2024, we see a sharp decline of 53.77% (1.06 million vs. 490,000). I believe this is directly tied to economic challenges in these regions. Historically, we know that a dip in purchasing power has relatively little impact on console sales in North America, Europe, and Japan, and sometimes even a positive one—as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for the “Other countries” category, this dip has a much harsher impact, as consumers there already start with tighter budgets in normal economic conditions.

This situation, however, creates an opportunity: people in “Other countries” who intended to buy a Switch in 2024 (for themselves or as a gift for their children) but could not afford it may later purchase one when the economic situation improves. Additionally, with the Switch 2 likely to be out of budget for many consumers in “Other countries,” there is further potential for additional sales of the original Switch.

Last edited by Fight-the-Streets - on 10 November 2024

Fight-the-Streets said:

Even in FY 2028, when the Switch 2 turns two, it’s highly improbable that Nintendo would stop production of its massively successful predecessor. Realistically, the earliest potential end to Switch production would be early in FY 2019 (April 2018).

Thus, with my calculations above, even the likelihood that the theoretical (but unrealistic) high point  of 161.8 million PS2 units will be surpassed, even if production ends as early as April 2018, is quite high (though by a narrow margin).

Are those typos ? You used 2 times 2018, and 1 time 2019 when talking about end of production ?



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Although it seems to be do just fine for now, when we look at the regional sales for 2024 calendar year, it's not so pink. The US and Europe markets are down massively. Yes there was Zelda last year which surely boosted the sales but still .. For the US market from almost 6M in 2022, Switch was down to almost 5M last year and this year it's only 1.5M until October. Yes it will do maybe some 800k or 1M more with the holiday. Let's put it at 2.5M. It's still a big drop. And when the big drops are usually coming, it's sign that they will continue. If they do next year it will be something like 1M in the US, especially with the successor launching. For Europe it's almost the same, from 5M in 2022, to 4.5M in 2023, it's now at just 1.5M, and since the holidays there for the Switch are little bit weaker than those of the US, let's put it at 2.2-2.3M with the holiday sales. This really points to again sales of around 1M next year. Those two market are almost done with the system it seems. At least when you watch the pure numbers and the performance there compared to the last 2 years. Rest of the world for the year is also 1.5M so it isn't different picture there. The only market that keeps the Switch at decent pace worldwide, and it's doing fine is Japan. Which is dropping too but a lot less.. for now. The sales to this point are almost 144M. For the USA, we can put 1M for the rest of the year, 1M for the next and let's put 1M for the rest of it's life that is 3M in total, which adds up to 147M, for the Europe it's the same, so it's add up to 150M, for the rest of the world since it's around the same level for the year like the previous two, we can put the same 3M till end of life, it's 153M. That leaves around 7M more for JAPAN for the Switch to break the 160M mark. It's at 2.5M this year with October included. It can do another 500k there for 3M in total. So 6.5M left, which is still not a small number when you consider it will probably sell 2M at most there next year, and with Switch 2 being in full swing by 2026, it will be lucky if it can do 1M in 2026. So it can do another 3M in JAPAN for 2025 and 2026, then what ? 3.5M left .. even if some of the number's I wrote seems pessimistic for some, remember that when Switch 2 get announced, Switch 1 sales will drop more for sure, when Switch 2 get released it will drop another time for sure, and by 2026 it will drop even more. Also remember that there is a gap of around 3.5M, even if we add some more on the numbers I said, will they be enough to reach 160M? And do you know what happens then ? Switch finishing anywhere between 155M and 160M will result in debates on the forums everywhere who sold the most PS2 or Switch. And yes there will be points for both, but the debates will never end.. unless Sony come out and officially report the exact number of PS2 produced units. For which I see the only possible case of that happening will be if the number is actually bigger than that of the Switch, cuz if it's smaller there will be no point for them to go out and confirm PS2 doing less than the recent announced number from Nintendo for the Switch, when it's finally discontinued.

Last edited by XtremeBG - on 10 November 2024

This is Useful when Comparing Switch to DS. It lets you see all the quarterly and yearly data in one picture.



I NEVER said it would pass the PS2. I just said that 155 million is the absolute floor at this point. Like i explained numerous times: A massivley fail to hit their sales FC for this FY would be 9 million for this one (13,50 million original FY). This would put the Switch right at 150 million at the end of March (i even rounded down again- 8,7 million). If it is massivley down next year (~50%) it will do another 4 million in 2025 wich would already put the switch slightly above the DS. IF the Switch was down again a massive ~75% we'd still be looking at 1 million for 2026, making the Switch finish at 155 million (rounded down again) in march 2027. There is no way in hell it sells less expect they would cancel MP4, Layton, Pokémon Z-A, no cross gen for Pokèmon Gen 10 late 2026 (heavely rumored), no price cuts, basically a Vita/ WiiU treatement. I think we all are intelligent enough to know that this all together won't happen!
But IF(!!) the Switch gets around their FC this FY and the Switch Up really released as late as Winter 2025 or even march 2026, the PS2 ("160 milllion"😄) woud basically be a lock (this picture was already be confirmed fake- if it was true the 161/162 million number would be officially fake).
I know this topic could lead to "WW3" here but someone has to say something!



XtremeBG said:
Fight-the-Streets said:

Even in FY 2028, when the Switch 2 turns two, it's highly improbable that Nintendo would stop production of its massively successful predecessor. Realistically, the earliest potential end to Switch production would be early in FY 2019 (April 2018).

Thus, with my calculations above, even the likelihood that the theoretical (but unrealistic) high point of 161.8 million PS2 units will be surpassed, even if production ends as early as April 2018, is quite high (though by a narrow margin).

Are those typos ? You used 2 times 2018, and 1 time 2019 when talking about end of production ?

Yes, typos, I corrected them (It seems I like to dwell in the past). Of course they should be 2028 and 2029 respectively.

XtremeBG said:

Although it seems to be do just fine for now, when we look at the regional sales for 2024 calendar year, it's not so pink. The US and Europe markets are down massively. Yes there was Zelda last year which surely boosted the sales but still .. For the US market from almost 6M in 2022, Switch was down to almost 5M last year and this year it's only 1.5M until October. Yes it will do maybe some 800k or 1M more with the holiday. Let's put it at 2.5M. It's still a big drop. And when the big drops are usually coming, it's sign that they will continue. If they do next year it will be something like 1M in the US, especially with the successor launching. For Europe it's almost the same, from 5M in 2022, to 4.5M in 2023, it's now at just 1.5M, and since the holidays there for the Switch are little bit weaker than those of the US, let's put it at 2.2-2.3M with the holiday sales. This really points to again sales of around 1M next year. Those two market are almost done with the system it seems. At least when you watch the pure numbers and the performance there compared to the last 2 years. Rest of the world for the year is also 1.5M so it isn't different picture there. The only market that keeps the Switch at decent pace worldwide, and it's doing fine is Japan. Which is dropping too but a lot less.. for now. The sales to this point are almost 144M. For the USA, we can put 1M for the rest of the year, 1M for the next and let's put 1M for the rest of it's life that is 3M in total, which adds up to 147M, for the Europe it's the same, so it's add up to 150M, for the rest of the world since it's around the same level for the year like the previous two, we can put the same 3M till end of life, it's 153M. That leaves around 7M more for JAPAN for the Switch to break the 160M mark. It's at 2.5M this year with October included. It can do another 500k there for 3M in total. So 6.5M left, which is still not a small number when you consider it will probably sell 2M at most there next year, and with Switch 2 being in full swing by 2026, it will be lucky if it can do 1M in 2026. So it can do another 3M in JAPAN for 2025 and 2026, then what ? 3.5M left .. even if some of the number's I wrote seems pessimistic for some, remember that when Switch 2 get announced, Switch 1 sales will drop more for sure, when Switch 2 get released it will drop another time for sure, and by 2026 it will drop even more. Also remember that there is a gap of around 3.5M, even if we add some more on the numbers I said, will they be enough to reach 160M? And do you know what happens then ? Switch finishing anywhere between 155M and 160M will result in debates on the forums everywhere who sold the most PS2 or Switch. And yes there will be points for both, but the debates will never end.. unless Sony come out and officially report the exact number of PS2 produced units. For which I see the only possible case of that happening will be if the number is actually bigger than that of the Switch, cuz if it's smaller there will be no point for them to go out and confirm PS2 doing less than the recent announced number from Nintendo for the Switch, when it's finally discontinued.

As usual, you’re calculating based on sell-through numbers, which is completely fine (and, as you've noted before, VGChartz focuses on sell-through data for console sales). My issue, however, is that by using calendar years instead of fiscal years (which end in March), you're effectively shortchanging the Switch by about half a year to three quarters. According to your calculation, 5 million units will sell through in calendar year 2025, and 4 million in calendar year 2026 (including sales up to the end of production but excluding Japan after 2026).

In my opinion, this creates a skewed picture because the sales decline you’re referencing doesn’t align with the drop-off in shipped units calculated by fiscal year. Specifically, the “2025 decline effect” in FY 2026 doesn’t begin until April 2025 (rather than January 2025 as in the calendar year), and the “2026 decline effect” in FY 2027 doesn’t begin until April 2026 (instead of January 2026 as in the calendar year). Additionally, there will almost certainly still be units sold in both calendar year 2027 and fiscal year 2028 (which ends on March 31, 2028), and potentially beyond that.

If all of this is too confusing, here’s the simple version: Yes, I believe your numbers may be a bit too pessimistic. But that’s okay—we’ll see how it plays out.



Fight-the-Streets said:

As usual, you’re calculating based on sell-through numbers, which is completely fine (and, as you've noted before, VGChartz focuses on sell-through data for console sales). My issue, however, is that by using calendar years instead of fiscal years (which end in March), you're effectively shortchanging the Switch by about half a year to three quarters. According to your calculation, 5 million units will sell through in calendar year 2025, and 4 million in calendar year 2026 (including sales up to the end of production but excluding Japan after 2026).

In my opinion, this creates a skewed picture because the sales decline you’re referencing doesn’t align with the drop-off in shipped units calculated by fiscal year. Specifically, the “2025 decline effect” in FY 2026 doesn’t begin until April 2025 (rather than January 2025 as in the calendar year), and the “2026 decline effect” in FY 2027 doesn’t begin until April 2026 (instead of January 2026 as in the calendar year). Additionally, there will almost certainly still be units sold in both calendar year 2027 and fiscal year 2028 (which ends on March 31, 2028), and potentially beyond that.

If all of this is too confusing, here’s the simple version: Yes, I believe your numbers may be a bit too pessimistic. But that’s okay—we’ll see how it plays out.

I am calculating it that way, because it's simpler and easier for me. You can calculate it with fiscal years if you want.

Also according to my calculations, yes next year is about 5M but the year after that - 2026 is not 4 million. I wrote for US, Europe and rest of the world that after 2025 the 1M I gave each is till end of life, so 2026 + the years after this. And yes I don't think it will stop selling after 2026. It will just sell less. The only number I gave for 2026 was for Japan - 1M. I agree it will sell in 2027 and even maybe 2028. It will sell around 2-2.5M after all in 2026, there is no point in discontinuing it after a year of 2M or more.

Seeing the drops it had this year from the last 2 years, it's not pessimistic it's realistic. Will Switch do more ? It's not impossible. But that does not change the fact given the circumstances it's realistic one. Either way, this wasn't the point of my post, it was about the 160M figure. And if it isn't for at least 3.5M more, it isn't getting there.

Last edited by XtremeBG - on 10 November 2024