Nintendo Switch: the need to keep competing

The Nintendo Switch remains a hot topic in the games industry, especially with the latest sales figures now in view. With a total of 155.92 million units sold as of March 31, 2026, the Switch is edging closer to the legendary record held by the PlayStation 2 (PS2), the best-selling console of all time with 160 million units sold.

Nintendo Switch sales figures

Nintendo Switch sales have steadily declined in recent years. In the fiscal year ending in 2026, just 3.86 million units were sold, a steep 64% drop from the 10.80 million units sold in 2024. Despite the downward trend, Nintendo says it expects to sell around 2 million more Switch units in the coming financial year.

Competition from the PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2 currently retains its status as the best-selling console of all time. Since its official launch in 2000, Sony has claimed that the PS2 has sold 160 million units. Nintendo's Switch is now still 4.08 million units short of that mark. The PS2 sales figures have recently been revised, and while it is not impossible that the Switch could eventually overtake it, several factors could make that difficult.

The rise of the Switch 2

Since the launch of the Switch 2, which serves as the successor to the original Switch, sales of the older console have come under pressure. To date, 19.86 million Switch 2 units have been sold. Nintendo is forecasting sales of around 16.5 million units for the Switch 2's second year. That could prove challenging, however, given the recent price increases announced across all Switch models, especially in Japan.

Market dynamics and the outlook ahead

The competitive landscape is intense, with Nintendo needing to constantly adjust its strategy to stay relevant in an ever-changing market. The ambition to surpass the PS2 may motivate Nintendo to keep the original Switch on sale, despite the growing risk that price increases could affect demand. Nintendo still believes in the potential of its products, but the future of the Switch and Switch 2 will depend on their ability to maintain market share under pressure from rising costs and changing consumer needs.