In addition to Luigi's Mansion 3 reaching third place on the US software charts in October, Nintendo also experienced another strong month in terms of hardware sales.
While no sales figures were provided, NPD Video Game Industry Analyst Mat Piscatella revealed the Switch was the best-selling hardware platform within this region. It also remains the best-selling platform of 2019 and most-likely experienced a boost in sales due to the release of the Switch Lite during the previous month.
Piscatella noted how the Switch experienced sales gains during October, despite the fact overall hardware spending fell in this month and year-to-date:
October 2019 hardware spending fell 41% vs YA, to $182m. Year-to-date hardware spending has declined 23% vs YA, to $2.1 billion. Nintendo Switch is the only platform with sales gains both in October as well as year to date.
Did you purchase a Switch Lite or perhaps one of the newer standard models during the month of October? Tell us below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 68
While I’m happy to see the Switch doing well, it’s hardly surprising that the PS4 and XBOne are underperforming when compared with last year. We’re talking two consoles that are in their (presumably) final year of being on the market. Their successors will likely be on store shelves a year from now and the market is responding accordingly.
@thesilverbrick
Thats no excuse though, even when they outsold them month after month in 2017 the excuse was well everyone has a ps4 and xb.....But the ps and xb can sell better if they actually put some effort in their software so no i disagree.
@thesilverbrick I think the Switch Lite, LM3, Holiday season, and Pokemon are huge contributing factors to that. Switch is just suited to a way broader audience
@delhaj7 the xbone and ps4 have been on the market 4 years longer than switch, it absolutely it’s approaching market saturation if it’s not already there. that’s why the new consoles come out next year and people won’t buy an old console at this point unless it’s super cheap. my bet is you’ll see some unload on black friday from the super cheap sales and then the switch will continue to dominate until next year
@tekknik
Never underestimate nintendo, their 3ds sales beat their main console sales for a very long time, unless ms and sony release something similar i doubt the switch will lose traction.
I want to get a PlayStation, but I’ll wait for PS5 - no point in buying at an obsolete product. Anecdote vs data, but I bet there are many in a similar position
It's a totally fair to point out things like "PS4 and Xbone are obsolete with successor products on their way".
It's also fair to point out that the Switch has one of the best libraries of games on the market in years with great new additions happening all the time and provides a product that has very little direct competition.
The Switch has everything going for it right now, so of course it's doing well. It's got the games, it has no direct rivals, really, and it's loose rivals are on their way out.
If the Switch wasn't doing well, it would be a serious concern.
@delhaj7 The Wii also tanked in the last 12 months of the generation in the USA. And that was at $150 budget price.
Nintendo already used the "price card" releasing a cheaper Switch model than the lowest priced PS4.
After 6+ years that SONY can still sell any $250/$399 PS4 hardware is crazy. Switch didn't even command $350 at launch.
@delhaj7 Actually, Sony exclusives have been selling gangbusters as of late. God of War, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Spider-Man, Uncharted 4, Last of Us Remastered. These games have been selling close to or over 10 million units. This is in addition to the console selling a lot of CODs and Fifa's.
@Bondi_Surfer
Dunno about that, I bet there are stil millions of happy ps3 and 360 gamers.
If anything the time to buy a ps4, is when its about to be replaced.
Because then it will be cheap, with a huge library to choose from.
Obviously PlayStation 4 and Xbox One sales will be down, doesn't take away from Nintendo's continued impressive return to form from the Wii U years. This year started a little slow on the software front but starting with Super Mario Maker 2 in June the Switch has been on a roll. From AAAs to indies it's been the year of the Switch.
@delhaj7
Hahahaha 😅 I love how everybody takes Sony's side on a Nintendo site. Do you know why they do it? Because you're acting really arrogant and smug.
@delhaj7 Uncharted 4 was the literal definition of a system seller. That beast sold 2.7 million units in its opening weak on its way to its current position of 16 million. PS4 sales had a dramatic increase in its launch month, and you're trying to say that nobody bought a PS4 for it?
The sells march started March 2017 and hasn't slowed down but only has grown by leaps and bounds.
@BarefootBowser
Having a choice between consoles is great.
It keeps things interesting, keeps the industry healthy
and the consumers something to look forward too.
I personally dont care about fandoms and "console wars" If a console has great games I am interested in, i am all over it.
@Bondi_Surfer Definitely, as much as I love my PS4. PS5 is BWC and won't be THAT much more then even current prices for current gen hardware.
This Gen was unique in that hardware prices didn't fall very much, even after 6 years.
@delhaj7
PS4 has actual third party support. That's why SONY's own exclusive sell like they do
@EVIL-C
The xbox one's price tag fell pretty hard though.
These days you can get one for below 200, if you shop around.
@KitsuneNight Ah yeah, true. It can be argued M$ did that because it was being trounced PS4, and now switch has basically out sold it in 2 1/2 years. 😳
I've had an S for 2 years, which I found for $250 CAD with Halo and Gears, and I keep forgetting about it, lol.
@tekknik I'm definitely going to pick up an Xbox One X on black friday. My launch year Xbox One is making dying sounds and I need one to play Halo MCC, Fallout 4, and Dragon Age Inquisition. (No modern gaming PC or PS4 in my household)
@EVIL-C
I kinda want a Xbox One, though mostly for Rare Replay
and Forza Horizon 4.
I can't justify 200 euro for 2 games though.
So I'm waiting for the next gen to drop.
Console wars again ... come on!
We all know that the Switch does not have a real competition because PS and Xbox already sold as much as they can in the years that the Wii U was failing.
The Switch roams free now until PS5 and Xbox arrive next year.
The results would be different if all 3 came at the same time right?
@Zuljaras
Console wars is a big word.
I'm wondering why i am Sony fanboy for some reason is all.
Alot of people i know are waiting for christmass to buy the switch.
@The-Chosen-one
Which one ?
Full or lite ?
Just curious.
Like a plonker I got both.
@KitsuneNight I did not say such a thing
For me a console fanboy is someone who is agressive towards consoles he cant afford.
@Zuljaras
I know I was just wondering why the gentleman I was disagreeing with labeled me a Sony fanboy.
In truth I've always been a Sega kid.
I am quite excited about that Panzer Dragoon remake
I'm hoping it will open the doors door all sorts of Saturn remakes.
@KitsuneNight Well the sad truth is that if you say something that is even remotely not praising a given console you will be called opposite console fanboy.
It is the same with every site dedicated to one company.
@delhaj7
Always been a Sega kid really.
And if you think Nintendo's games are the best then seriously good for you.
We should enjoy playing our games, not argue with each other over it.
We made quite a mess of the comments section.
What say if we both delete most of our arguments and let bygones be bygones ? ( if not thats cool too)
@Zuljaras
Yeah, sadly.
I am just a gamer I like video games and i don't really care about the platform.
I'll game on anything, as long as the games are good.
..within reason off course.
Neo Geo is a tad expensive for me .
@KitsuneNight
Lol I was a sega kid....and yes lol agree we did make a little mess! Just a little miss understanding no problem!
@delhaj7
I am stil totally Sega i have 2 Dreamcasts and a Saturn.
I'd love to have a CDX ( like that will happen )
Not Sega but a 3DO would be cool too.
Anyway lets clean this mess up i'm gonna delete most of my arguments and you ?
Edit:
There we go much better.
@delhaj7 And me had an argument we settled our differences and deleted most of our arguments.
@KitsuneNight
Done! like it never happened, if you can delete your too that would be much appreciated...
My mum gave away my consoles to relatives when I was a kid....i wish I keeped mine I loved Sega and the sonic team they had in the early 90s...
Sega are sitting on a gold mine id love for them to remake phantasy star 4!
@delhaj7
And they are gone.
I dropped an edit in a post explaining what went on, but if you prefer i remove it.
I used to sell mine for the next gen.
and later on I always regretted that.
I'd love for Sega to just release titles that are NOT the Megadrive
they got so much good stuff.
I am honestly hoping the PD remake is gonna be the start of something big.
@KitsuneNight
No not the lite. The original switch.
@The-Chosen-one
Either is a great choice.
How is Switch selling in Europe? Not great I suspect. Don’t seem to see sales figures for the UK for example and it doesn’t seem to ever sell out here.
@jarvismp
Switch reached 10 million units sold in Europe by the end of September 2019. Strong figure, though not as good as its North American numbers (15 million).
Switch reached 1.9 million units sold in the UK by mid-September 2019, right after the Switch Lite launched.
@westman98
On par with Japan, it reached 10 million there recently as well.
Fact: The majority of game consoles sold is because of people wanting to be 'cool' and 'in'. And so they buy the console and games which are 'cool' and 'in'.
Make a flashy marketing campaign and you can sell millions from even a crappy game.
This is great news for Nintendo and the Switch platform as a whole. Nintendo basically has this holiday season to itself in terms of competition. Yes PS4 will still do well and it's longevity is amazing but it will not sell like the Switch this festive period. The Xbone is now basically limping on to the next gen by comparison.....
Switch has two Sku's availiable, it's well priced and is still in relative infancy in it's lifecycle, it will no doubt make Nintendo big profits over the next few month's and going forward.
2020 will be interesting however, with next gen hype ever building and with many of Nintendo's big IP's already out on the Switch Nintendo will need a few tricks up it's sleeve to keep the Switch train firing on all cylinders...
@KitsuneNight
Yeah i totally agree.
@BANJO
Yep i totally agree with that. 2020 will be interesting.
Nintendo can only compete with their best AA titles. And some more third party games.
Will be tough tho but they will manage. Switch will do great even as a handheld. I always have two consoles. Nr 1 is always nintendo related and second is either xbox or playstation. They have to convince me with games.
@Agramonte I don't see how Sony sales are crazy considering they are a huge control freak megacorp who owns the industry since years and buy their success. Switch selling so well despite all the smear campaigns against it and being from a dwarf company like Nintendo is much more impressive.
@The-Chosen-one
Yes the duel functionality of the Switch really can play into Nintendo's hand in 2020. For example a Switch Lite with Animal Crossing installed could shift big numbers... Third party games will become harder to come by especially ports of Scarlet and PS5 games, they would need massive downgrades and are likely not even possible. However, a few very good ports of Xbone and PS4 games plus continued Nintendo IP releasing and timely price cuts on the hardware (something Nintendo is reluctant to do but may have to) should keep momentum for a while....
A small price cut on the lite and original Switch hardware with a digital download of a game could still make the hardware profitable once the game itself included is profitable. This is probably the best way to add value to the consumer yet continue to make money on the hardware going forwards....
Switch is in for a huge Christmas. Software sales are very strong too. This is a link to the Switch Top 10, good to see Luigi, Ring Fit, Witcher 3 and Overwatch in there with the evergreens. No sign of FE, though Mario Maker 2 is hanging in there and Links Awakening had a great month
https://twitter.com/matpiscatella/status/1195122479146131456?s=21
The quality and breadth of games available across all platforms are utterly astounding. We should all be rejoicing that our hobby is so alive and healthy. Yes there are problems - microtransactions etc - but the gaming industry is massive and nintendo is back in the big time in the West which is hugely important IMO
I would love a switch but not at it's current price, with a PS4 with about 200 games i'd struggle to find more free time. It also irks me that nintendo's first party games are still full price years after debuting!
@glaemay
Well it’s a different take to my alternative theory that Sony sell loads of Home systems because they’re really good at making Home systems.
@KitsuneNight I might borrow, or buy a used, not from gamestop, ps just to play shenmue3. The game has to be done right though...ill never directly give Sony my money.
@MightyDemon82 with a Nintendo system you get the most polished AAA games. That alone is worth the money.
That's truly great but not surprising. No one is buying a PS4 or Xbox One when we know, for sure, that the new gen is coming next year.
@Joe-b Seems like a super weird rule.
@Joe-b You are right about Nintendo putting out polished products but Sony's first party games from my experience also are polished and you can guarantee that you'll get them for about £15-£20 later on if you skip them at launch. Kojima Productions have done a stellar job with Death Stranding on PS4, 40 hours in and it runs beautifully!
@glaemay One does not need to do "badly" for the other to do well.
Some are just pointing out that SONY already did what Nintendo is doing now. 4 years from now - whatever #s the Switch is selling - wont take away from what Nintendo has done either.
@Illusion sure, like i said, if they’re cheap. otherwise it’s difficult for anybody to spend $400 on a console that’s replaced in a year
@delhaj7 well i never said the switch will lose traction. however sales will drop when the next PS and xbox release, at least for some time
@Joe-b
I actually totally forgot about Shenmue 3.
I' not sure on what platform I'll be getting it
If i'll wait for the Steam version because i have the remasters on there.
Or the PS4 version. cause i have the Dreamcast orginals.
Eventually i wil be getting a ps4 again though, if only because I have 60 PSN games.
@earthinheritor
I would debate that.
Cause when the next gen is coming or is here it's a great time to buy the current gen.
You will be getting a full featured product, with all the kinks worked out
At a reasonable price.
And a huge library both of which will have dropping prices.
Its why I am waiting it out.
( I had at least 4 ps4's but didn't play them much, I wil be getting a fifth one only because i have 60 or so PSN games and i might want to play them at one point)
@KitsuneNight Given that Scarlett will also be BWC, I can easily see and even advocate you just wait a bit longer and get it instead. Xbox I feel has the best range of services and multimedia features, despite me gaming the least on it, which is too bad because I love the controller and the box itself. Rare Replay is an amazing compilation, no question. I loved it. Personally my rule is "I need 3 big exclusives to justify a console". Some are just easier than others to find.
@EVIL-C
Is it ? Never heard of that until now, but I don't really pay much attention to be honest.
I generally need between 5 and 10 games to justify a new console.
I think it's best if i just buy a decent priced Xbox one instead of diving in the next generation.
This generation left me a bit cold.
And i threw my lot in with this new Nintendo thingy.
@KitsuneNight indeed, as Microsoft mentioned back at E3. All 4 generations of Xbox, playable on one console. And the older library will be expanded further. Even XBO controllers will work. 😄
https://www.gamesradar.com/xbox-project-scarlett-backwards-compatibility/
I wouldn't have got my Vita if not for the low threshold, lol. I struggled to find 3 titles but ultimately did when Tales of Hearts R came west.
Cold how? Too many sequels? Lack of bold new I.P.s and lack of risk? Too much focus on DLC/Micro transactions?
Has the Switch been more positive?
@EVIL-C
All of that to be honest.
The ps3 and 360 were a huge jump forward.
The ps4 and One just feel more of the same.
Too many sequels, lack of risk, just playing it save.
All the bloody DLC and micro transactions, gouging the gamers don't really help much either.
I also don't really play much on a TV anymore, but either portable or on the PC.
So the NX being untethered from the TV, was just totally up my alley.
Mine has never even so much as seen the business end, of a HDMI cable.
Nintendo marching to it's own beat also helps.
@glaemay What in the world are you talking about? The only third-party exclusive I can think of that Sony paid for this gen was Street Fighter V, and that game struggled at first and is far behind other fighting games like both Mortal Kombat X and XI, Dragon Ball Fighter Z, and Super Smash Bros Ultimate in terms of sales.
Yeah, it gets played in pretty much every fighting game tournament, but it never appealed much to casual gamers. Capcom had to do lots of damage control and fixes to get the game's standards up.
The only other thing I can think of is Sony buying the rights to get Call of Duty DLC on PS4 a few months before it arrives on Xbox. Which might I remind you, was the reverse of last-gen when Call of Duty DLC arrived on the Xbox 360 first.
So, what is Sony buying up to control the market?
The reason why the PS4 is so successful is not only due to the size of it library, but the simple fact that much like the PS1 back in the day, it managed to take advantage of major mistakes its rivals made in the market place.
The Wii U was an underpowered system with an annoying gimmick that everyone ignored, while the Xbox One was held back by Microsoft's stupid BS such as not letting you trade in games, constantly requiring the system to be online in order to play even single-player offline games, etc.
Sony took advantage of its rival's mistakes and managed to keep PS4 sales up with strong first-party exclusives and third-party games.
By the way, where has Sony bashed Nintendo in recent years? Because every time I hear the head of the Playstation division talk about Nintendo, he's gushing over them and says that he and his kids love to play Nintendo systems.
Where's the bashing?
@KitsuneNight
Thats cool! Yea np!
Agree set a have a lot of titels outside the megadrive.....Id love for them to finish shining force 3 a remake with updated visuals with a PAL release....
I live in Australia and the love for these games are non existent... Hence why sega don't localize them....people brush them off and call them "weeb" garbage. Which sucks because there are some great ideas in the industry that gets overlooked....
Anyway at least they are remaking panzar dragoon on the switch which I'm pretty excited for...
Apologies about yesterday!
@delhaj7
I would imagine living in Australia would make it easier to get Japanese games.
But i'm probably wrong there.
Getting things like the full version of Shining Force 3 in english or a remake of PD Saga would be amazing.
But honestly ?
Right now i'd be really happy with remakes of Panzer Dragoon 1 and 2, Sega Rally and Daytona.
Or Arcade games.
Anything, that's not the Megadrive
I am honestly so bored of the Megadrive, the latest collection is cool and all but its also been there done that.
It's just so been there done that.
A Sega Cd collection would also be cool.
Let alone a Dreamcast or Saturn one.
But i am looking forward to the PD remake that and Virtua Racing
are i hope, pointers to more of these types of games from Sega.
No problem, we set aside our differences.
November should also be an incredibly strong month for the Switch, with decent year-over-year growth thanks to Sword/Shield being considerably more successful than Let's Go and the existence of the Switch Lite.
December will be a challenge, as there is nothing releasing in December 2019 that is even close to Super Smash Bros Ultimate. I could see Switch sales taking a year-over-year dip that month.
@KitsuneNight
I can understand where you're coming from. Aside from better visuals and more system-level capabilities, the bigger studios don't take as many risks. I used to give credit last gen to EA, who took quite a few with Mass Effect, Dead Space, Mirror's Edge, for example, yet this gen has gone right back to their cookie cutter, uninspired ways.
The way most DLC is handled has been a huge point of my frustration for 10+ years now. Cutting out key story details and charging extra; even worse when it's "Day 1 DLC". Many companies used to use that as a positive thing, which is totally nonsensical. "Oh, you had the development time to make it ready for day 1?" "INCLUDE IT BY DEFAULT".
I've always loved anything portable, because I'm honestly more impressed with what a smaller, cheaper device is capable of doing, compared to a big, beefy box that is just sort of expected to be exceptional. Having said that, I prefer to play at home because it's quiet and less stressful, though I've played games like BOTW and Doom while commuting, and it's very thrilling.
I guess since much of North America is a huge market for Nintendo, and we primarily rely on cars to get around, one can't play while driving. Whereas, in places with far better transit infrastructure and less of a car culture, such as Japan, portables are king, as I often see during my visit these days.
The portability certainly took the uninspired suits at the EA's, Activisions, etc.. of the world by surprise. Now they don't even bother trying. It's concrete proof that even when Nintendo "builds the installed base", as they screamed during the Wii U days, they don't give a frig. It's all BS and lies from them.
That's why I'm very thankful for smaller, and indie developers, who can break away from the formulaic approach many of the largest studios have. I don't expect a radical, experimental design every single time, but the more Shovel Knights, Axiom Verge's, Untitled Goose Games', etc... that we get, I think is a positive thing.
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