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Nintendo Switch Sales Reach a Historic Milestone
The contrast between the Nintendo Wii U and the Nintendo Switch could not be more striking. Where the Wii U struggled to define itself and failed to connect with a broad audience, the Switch represented a decisive course correction. Nintendo abandoned fragmented hardware strategies and unified its handheld and home console ambitions into a single hybrid platform, a move that would ultimately redefine the company’s fortunes.
That long-term bet has now delivered a historic result. According to Nintendo’s latest financial report, covering sales up to December 31, 2025, the Nintendo Switch has officially become the company’s best-selling console of all time.
Official Figures Confirm Nintendo Switch Dominance
Nintendo confirmed that the Switch has sold 155.37 million units worldwide, overtaking the Nintendo DS, which previously held the company record at 154.02 million units. The achievement places the Switch at the very top of Nintendo’s hardware legacy, spanning multiple generations of consoles and handhelds.
The figure also places the Switch within touching distance of the broader industry record. Had Sony not revised the PlayStation 2’s lifetime sales from 155 million to 160 million units in recent years, the Switch would likely have claimed the title of the best-selling console in gaming history overall.
Nintendo Switch 2 Shows Strong Early Momentum
Nintendo’s momentum has not slowed with new hardware. The Nintendo Switch 2 has already sold more than 17.37 million units in its first six months on the market, indicating strong early adoption and confidence in Nintendo’s continued hybrid strategy.
While it remains early in the console’s lifecycle, these figures suggest Nintendo has successfully carried its audience forward rather than splitting it across generations, a challenge that has tripped up console transitions in the past.
First-Party Games Continue to Drive Hardware Success
As expected, Nintendo’s first-party catalogue remains a critical pillar of its hardware dominance. Mario Kart World leads the charge with 14.03 million copies sold, while Donkey Kong Bananza has reached 4.25 million units. Kirby Air Riders currently sits at 1.76 million.
These figures underline Nintendo’s continued ability to pair long-running franchises with new hardware in a way that sustains interest well beyond a console’s launch window.
A Nine-Year Console Still Selling Strong
Despite approaching its ninth year on the market, the original Nintendo Switch continues to defy traditional console lifecycles. Nintendo expects to sell a further 750,000 units during the current fiscal year, an unusually strong tail for hardware that has already dominated an entire generation.
With the Switch now officially crowned as Nintendo’s most successful console ever, the company’s decision to unify its hardware ecosystem has proven to be one of the most impactful strategic moves in modern gaming.
