For nearly a decade, the Nintendo Switch has been one of its creators’ most successful consoles due to its vast library and unique technology. Seven years later, it remains equally revered. In the United States, Switch has passed the sales of PlayStation 2.
While this is likely a momentous occasion for Nintendo, it comes at the precipice of its successor’s release. Despite this, fans still respect the Switch, showing its staying power. Here is a breakdown of what this huge record means for Nintendo’s future.
The Nintendo Switch’s Latest Record
According to IGN, the Nintendo Switch recently passed a monumental sales milestone. At 46 million sales, the console outsold Sony’s PlayStation 2, the best-selling home platform in history. One of its predecessors, Nintendo’s own DS, stood right ahead of the Switch. The DS was a similarly acclaimed console for its revolutionary touchscreen use. It should be noted that this record applies only to the United States market, not its home country, Japan.
However, given its age, the console’s sales are slowing down. These numbers have decreased for a while as Nintendo prepares for the next generation. Globally, the Switch sold 144 units for reference. At the same time, the PlayStation 5 saw a profit boost due to its “Pro” upgrade release, renewing interest from professional, tech-savvy enthusiasts.
Released in 2017, the Nintendo Switch is one of the most successful game consoles ever. It combines the mobility of a portable console with the prowess of a home machine. Furthermore, its design is highly versatile. The device has released many classics, including Breath of the Wild, Three Houses, and Smash Ultimate. The console was also a redemption after the poorly sold and short-lived Wii U.
Record-Setting Consoles
Since the Atari 2600 hit the shelves in 1977, consoles have been a household staple worldwide. Many machines evolved from 8-bit pixels to multi-purpose machines with lifelike graphics. Furthermore, this sparked the “console wars” between several, most infamously between Microsoft’s Xbox and the PlayStation. Given that Sony was already one of the biggest players worldwide, the Nintendo Switch surpassing its record in the American market is another of many victories on Nintendo’s behalf.
For reference, the PlayStation 2 was one of the most important gaming consoles. Released at the turn of the millennium, its jump in capabilities from its predecessor, the PSX, was one of the biggest in the medium. Hundreds of legendary games, like Silent Hill 2 and Shadow of the Colossus, were released on it. Globally, it became the best-selling console ever at 160 million units sold.
The Switch’s Successor
While this news is impressive, it comes as the Nintendo Switch’s successor approaches. For the past few years, fans and journalists have speculated about the nature of the Nintendo Switch’s successor. However, the console remains largely unknown, not even having a name, yet Nintendo confirmed several details about it. For example, the console would feature backward compatibility, meaning players could transfer their massive libraries to the next generation.
It’s no exaggeration to say Nintendo is the most important video game company in history. After the Video Game Crash of ’83, Nintendo introduced the revolutionary NES. Decades later, they created some of the biggest pop culture icons, such as Mario, Zelda, and the most profitable franchise of all time, Pokemon. As such, the Nintendo Switch 2 has a massive legacy to carry.
Conclusion
As the most technologically impressive Nintendo device released to date, it’s no surprise that it would surpass the sales of one of gaming’s best-selling consoles. Even if it’s far from a new console, it’s still a timeless enough device that lasted long enough to continue pushing boundaries. While the Switch 2 may be on the horizon, it will be long before the original dies out completely. Hopefully, Nintendo can pass the torch to the next generation with an equally acclaimed machine.
