Nintendo’s latest earnings report reveals a significant dip in Switch sales for the past quarter, yet the console continues to close in on the PlayStation 2’s record of 155 million units sold. As of June 30, Switch sales have reached an impressive 143.42 million units.

Sales Performance Analysis

During the quarter ending June 30, Nintendo sold 2.1 million Switch consoles, a notable decline from the 3.91 million units sold in the same period last year. Nintendo attributes this downturn to the lack of major releases comparable to last year’s launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which had significantly boosted sales.

Nintendo highlighted that last year’s sales were “extremely high” due to these special factors. In contrast, the current fiscal year’s first quarter saw a significant year-on-year decrease in both hardware and software sales. This downturn is also reflective of the Switch entering its eighth year since launch, indicating a natural slowdown in sales momentum.

Breakdown of Switch Sales

Among the 2.1 million Switch units sold in the latest quarter:

  • The majority were OLED models, accounting for 1.24 million units.
  • The standard Switch sold 530,000 units.
  • The Switch Lite sold 330,000 units.

Future Sales Projections

Nintendo is forecasting the sale of 13.5 million Switch consoles during the current fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2025. With 2.1 million units already sold this fiscal year, Nintendo aims to sell an additional 11.4 million units to reach its target. Achieving this goal would bring total Switch sales to 154.4 million units, just 600,000 units shy of the PS2’s record.

Software Sales and Upcoming Releases

In terms of software, Nintendo sold 30.64 million Switch games in the past quarter, down 41.3% from the 52.21 million units sold during the same period last year. This sharp decline is attributed to the absence of blockbuster releases like Tears of the Kingdom.

Despite the overall decline, some new releases have shown promising starts. For example:

  • Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door sold 1.76 million units.
  • Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD sold 1.19 million units.

As of June 30, over 1.26 billion games have been sold for the Switch.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Titles

Nintendo has a robust lineup of upcoming titles, including:

  • Emio – The Smiling Man (August 20)
  • The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (September 26)
  • Super Mario Party Jamboree (October 17)
  • Mario & Luigi Brothership (November 7)
  • Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (January 16, 2025)

Anticipation for the Next Console

Fans are eagerly anticipating the announcement of the next-generation Nintendo console, colloquially referred to as the Switch 2. Expectations are high for a reveal by April 2025, which could potentially rejuvenate Nintendo’s sales momentum and set new benchmarks in the gaming industry.

Final Thoughts

While the Nintendo Switch has experienced a recent decline in sales, its cumulative performance brings it tantalizingly close to surpassing the PlayStation 2’s legendary sales record. With a strong lineup of upcoming games and the potential launch of a new console on the horizon, Nintendo continues to capture the excitement and loyalty of the gaming community. As the Switch nears the end of its lifecycle, it remains a testament to Nintendo’s innovative approach and enduring appeal in the gaming market.

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