Despite the surge in mobile gaming, millions of gamers still choose console games to add an edge to their gaming experience. However, the hybrid console/handheld concept of Nintendo Switch offered the best of both worlds and made it one of the top buying choices.
According to data presented by Mejores Apuestas, with 86.7 million units sold as of June, Nintendo Switch is close to reaching PlayStation 3 lifetime shipments.
Nintendo Switch Outsold Xbox 360 by 0.9M Units, Only 0.7M Below PS3 Lifetime Sales
The hybrid handheld and stationary console sold 13.1 million units worldwide in its first year, revealed VGChartz data. Sales continued booming in the following years, with Nintendo selling almost 40 million Switch units in 2018 and 2019. By the end of 2020, the Nintendo Switch lifetime sales hit nearly 77 million units, a massive 55% increase in a year.
However, impressive sales figures continued in 2021, with close to 10 million units shipped between January and June. Statistics show that Nintendo Switch outsold Xbox 360 by 0.9 million units as of June and is only 0.7 million units below PlayStation 3 lifetime shipments, which sold a total of 87.41 million units.
As the gaming console with the largest market share, PlayStation 4 is ahead of the Switch by 28.97 million units and 3 million units away from outselling the Game Boy, which sold 118.69 million units in its lifetime.
Switch Annual Sales Jumped by 34% YoY
The Switch sets itself apart from its competitors because it can be used as both a stationary console and a portable device, meaning gamers can play from the comfort of their own homes or on the go.
However, another reason for its success is the popularity of Nintendo’s first-party titles. Blockbuster series like Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Pokémon are exclusive to Nintendo, meaning that fans can only play them on Nintendo consoles.
Nintendo’s annual report showed Switch witnessed an influx of new fans over the last year and a half, as the COVID-19 pandemic fuelled the growth of the entire gaming market. As a result, total sales in the FY 2021, ended March 31, hit 28.83 million units or 34% more than in a year-ago period.
The North American market accounted for nearly 40% of total sales, with more than 11.1 million sold units. Europe ranked as the second-largest market for Switch fans, with 7.15 million units shipped in this period. Japan followed, with 6.6 million sold units, respectively.
