Although all eyes are on its successor, the Nintendo Switch is still in its heyday.

Despite all the hype surrounding the upcoming console, the Nintendo Switch insists on paying attention. Now we’ve learned that after just over seven years, the Japanese brand’s flagship machine is relatively close to becoming the best-selling console in US history! If successful, it would break the record set by the PlayStation 2. Remember, the latter was born at a time when console competition was much less intense. The Xbox was just born, the Dreamcast was coming to an end, and the GameCube wasn’t really successful.

Is the Nintendo Switch the biggest record holder of all time?

The information came to us thanks to Matt Piscatella’s social media post. The head of the market analysis company, Circana, explained that “Switch is only 1.1M units behind PlayStation 2 in lifetime sales“ in terms of the number of units sold during its life cycle in the United States. That’s a pretty significant number, of course, and sales are expected to slow as the successor looms on the horizon.

However, it does not seem at all impossible for abdication to happen.

Regarding global sales, the Nintendo Switch is currently the third most successful console in history. It is only surpassed by the Nintendo DS and the PlayStation 2. The gaming industry has indeed undergone a massive transformation in the last five years. However, there is no doubt that the machine’s success could be one reason why Nintendo is waiting so long to release its successor, which must be very close indeed.

In recent months, there has been some pessimism about the overall state of the video game market for consoles. However, Matt Piscatella assures us that we can ignore the negative waves. In addition to pointing to this Switch sales figure, the analyst confirms that the PS5 is ahead of the PS4 in terms of units sold by 7% and that the Xbox Series is closely following the 360’s path. Given this situation, as well as future next-gen exclusives like GTA VI, he claims that “the console market isn’t doomed“.

Source: X

In the US, PS5 is still 7% ahead of PS4 LTD and Switch is only 1.1M units behind PlayStation 2 in lifetime sales.

Even Xbox Series (for all its known challenges) is holding close to Xbox 360's LTD pace (and will get a CF25 boost).

No, the console market isn't doomed. Sheesh.

— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) August 7, 2024