As the curtain begins to fall on the original Nintendo Switch era, the company’s latest-and final-earnings report before the June launch of the Switch 2 reveals just how historic this run has been. With total Switch sales now hitting an astonishing 152.12 million units, Nintendo’s hybrid console is ending its active years among the all-time gaming greats, even as sales momentum naturally slows on the eve of its successor.
Despite its age, the Nintendo Switch continues to outperform most hardware on the market, but the numbers show a predictable tapering as the gaming world looks ahead. From January to March 2025, Nintendo sold 1.26 million Switch consoles-down from 1.96 million in the same period last year and 3.07 million the year before that. For a platform this late in its cycle (the Switch launched back in 2017), that’s still an enviable achievement. Yet, it’s clear that the hand-off to the next generation is perfectly timed.
Software sales, too, remain robust: Nintendo moved 31.43 million games in Q1 2025, pushing total lifetime Switch software sales to a staggering 1.391 billion. The top ten best-sellers are a who’s-who of modern classics, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe leading the pack at 68.2 million copies—no game on a single platform has come close to this number in recent years. Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild continue to define the Switch’s legacy, their enduring popularity a testament to Nintendo’s software magic.
Even newer entries are making waves: Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, a remaster of the beloved Wii platformer released January 16, 2025, has already sold 1.27 million units. That’s an impressive feat for a remake in a twilight year, reinforcing just how deep and broad the Switch’s player base remains.
Looking forward, Nintendo isn’t dialing back its ambitions. The company has set aggressive targets for its next-gen hardware: 15 million Switch 2 consoles and 45 million games sold by March 2026. That’s nearly as many units as the original Switch sold in its strongest year—within just 8.5 months. Clearly, Nintendo expects its next system to hit the ground running, and with the brand’s momentum, it’s a bet that seems less and less far-fetched.
For Nintendo and Switch fans alike, this moment is both a celebration and a transition. As we prepare for the arrival of Switch 2, it’s clear the outgoing console is going out on top—leaving big shoes for its successor to fill, and plenty of curiosity about what records the next generation might break.
TL;DR: Nintendo Switch closes its pre-Switch 2 chapter with 152.12M units and 1.391B games sold, led by Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Sales are slowing but still strong for such a mature system. Nintendo aims high with Switch 2, targeting 15M console sales in its first 8.5 months. The baton passes June 2025, but Switch’s legacy is secure.
Source: Nintendo via GamesPress