Another quarter, another round of financial reports. This morning Nintendo released its nine-month earnings figures from April to the end of December 2019 and things are looking rather rosy for the company. Switch has overtaken Super NES in terms of lifetime console units sold (an impressive feat considering it's less than three years old), Pokémon Sword and Shield sold incredibly well in its first two months on sale, and million-selling games are popping up all over the place.
With 52.48 million hardware units sold to date, Switch now sits behind only the Nintendo Entertainment System and the mighty Wii in Nintendo's home console rankings. Soon it will overtake the 61.91 million lifetime sales of the NES, although it'll take a while to catch up to Wii's 101.63 million. PlayStation 4 is doing incredibly well, too, with a staggering 106 million consoles sold – which takes it past the original PlayStation's total, although it's still a long way from PS2's chart-topping total of over 155 million.
The tweet below from analyst Daniel Ahmad shows how Switch is doing in comparison to other home consoles at the same point in their lifecycles. As you can see, it's currently tracking ahead of all consoles except the Wii:
Switch's success has come at a cost, though. Consolidating its home and handheld console lines into one unique device has paid dividends, but in doing so Nintendo has relinquished its 'backup' of a second system. While the Wii U floundered, the good ship Nintendo was kept afloat not only by its vast reserves of cash banked in the halcyon days of the Wii and DS, but also by the hard-earned, enduring success of its handheld division. 3DS may be on life support right now, but that's the result of old age and inevitability rather than any misstep – it's an absolutely fantastic console with 75.71 million unit sales to its family name.
And while Switch might be creeping up on NES and Wii, it's got plenty more competition if we add in the consoles you don't stick under your telly. Throw in the lifetime totals of Nintendo's portables and Switch is still sitting behind every Nintendo handheld that came before it. Of course, that is to be expected. Those lifetime Game Boy sales of 118.69 million units – which include Game Boy Color hardware, too – accrued over a decade or more, and Switch still hasn't reached its third birthday.
Historically, those portables have helped shore up the home console side of the business through any bumps. As the Nintendo 64 and GameCube struggled against the competition before and after the millennium, Nintendo had the incredible success of its handheld line and Pokémon to fall back on. Channelling all its resources and energies into one hybrid device has been a successful strategy after Wii U's failure, but it has meant removing a vital pillar from its traditional business model.
Looking back to the mid-to-late 2000s, it highlights just how extraordinary the Wii and DS days were. With both consoles at the top of their game, it was a high point in Nintendo's history that the company will struggle to replicate ever again – the pair accounted for a staggering 250 million hardware sales combined, all during what was, more or less, the same 'generation' of hardware. Both of those consoles represent peak sales in Nintendo's home and handheld console lines, with the DS 'family' selling 154.02 million units, the best-selling piece of hardware the company has ever produced. Nintendo made serious bank in that period, enough to finance multiple Wii U-style disappointments.
Nintendo's strategy with Switch Lite has worked well in keeping sales buoyant in conjunction with a solid software lineup
One key part of DS' success (and the whole portable lineup, in fact) is that notion of 'family'. The mid-cycle home console refresh is now in vogue, but Nintendo has been doing this with its handhelds for decades now. The Game Boy Pocket slimmed down the chunky original considerably and the Game Boy Color was an incredible upgrade, as was the clamshell GBA SP over the Game Boy Advance that launched in 2001.
We feel comfortable saying that there is absolutely no way Nintendo DS would have sold over 150 million units if it had retained its initial chunky 'phat' form factor. The Lite redesign and the DSi upgrade that followed refreshed the platform and massively extended its life cycle. Add to that the continual influx of themed models and it's easy to see how portables have outsold the majority of Nintendo's home consoles. How many more Wiis might have been sold if Nintendo had rejuvenated that little console with a modern-style 'Pro' variant after a few years? (Quiet down at the back with your Wii U jokes. And no, the laughable Wii Mini doesn't count.)
With Switch Lite, Nintendo has already launched a new SKU, one specifically designed to appeal to the dedicated handheld market it 'abandoned' to make Switch's central gimmick work. And unlike previous home consoles, it's already building its own 'family'. From April to December last year Nintendo sold 17,740,000 Switch consoles combined, with over 5 million of those being Switch Lites (which was only on sale from September, remember).
While the year-on-year sales of the standard model decreased from 14,490,000 in the corresponding 9-month period in 2018 to 12,560,000 in 2019, overall Switch sales enjoyed a 22% year-on-year increase. All of which means that Nintendo's strategy with Switch Lite has worked well in keeping sales buoyant in conjunction with a solid software lineup, and there's every reason to believe this approach will be extended with new hardware joining the family. With this in mind, the likelihood of Switch eventually toppling the Wii from its perch at the top of the Nintendo home console tree increases, although it has its work cut out for it if it wants to take on the Game Boy and DS, too.
Nintendo may have sacrificed its dedicated handheld line, but not before subbing in an even more lucrative 'backup': its ever-growing mobile business
From one perspective, it's a shame that we'll likely never again see the days of not one, but two Nintendo platforms – home and handheld consoles – firing on all cylinders. Hardware-wise, Nintendo has lost its backup pillar, although, with its impressive library and increasingly appealing online offering, Switch appears to be a very sturdy one that's gaining girth with each passing quarter.
Nintendo isn't about to be caught up a well-known creek without a paddle, though. It may have sacrificed its dedicated handheld line, but not before subbing in an even more lucrative 'backup': its ever-growing mobile business. With income from its mobile-related ventures (including royalties) reaching 36.9 billion yen (a 10.6% increase year-on-year), and with players having spent a combined $1 billion on its smartphone games, it turns out that Nintendo has a handheld-based backup after all, just in case this Switch dream comes to an abrupt halt.
There's little chance of that happening though. In this fiscal year alone, 21 Switch games – first- and third-party combined – have sold over a million copies and with loads of games arriving every week, Nintendo gamers have arguably never had it so good. It's been a slow start to 2020 so far, but with Animal Crossing on the horizon and the arrival of 2020's first Nintendo Direct inevitable, we're sure the release schedule will be overflowing before long.
The future's bright for gamers – on all platforms – so cheers to that.
Do you think Switch has the legs to surpass Wii and the PlayStations by the end of its life? Will we be meeting more of the extended family before long? Share your thoughts below.
Comments (75)
Came for the opinions, stayed for the Matrix reference.
Passing the Wii is something the Switch is fully capable of doing, however I think it needs a hardware revision to keep interest high in the midst of the launch of the PS5 and whatever they're calling the next Xbox
Pretty crazy to think that Switch has a good chance of outselling the Wii now. Remember when we came off the failure of the Wii U, third parties wanted nothing to do with Nintendo, and we felt like it'd be encouraging for the NX to sell even N64 numbers?
Things sure have changed.
No, but it does have ARMS.
Nintendo essentially has a monopoly on handheld game consoles right now. I think they will be fine. Competing with more powerful home consoles is a non-issue.
Wii sold tons of units to people that don’t normally play video games. I know so many older people that bought one for Wii bowling and never bought another game. Switch might beat it with the Lite grabbing the handheld market. But there is one big problem with Switch Lite... Switch games cost a lot more than 3DS/DS/GBA games. I’m sticking with my 3DS for now since I really don’t want to pay $40-$60 a game, not counting indies.
@Ralizah,
The "Do you think the Nintendo Switch will be a success?" thread on NeoGaf is just pure comedy gold.
It has one leg, designed to easily snap off if needed.
Glad to be able to help!
I think Switch's sales in holiday 2020 and 2021 will answer that question. Its biggest potential barrier is next gen (PS5, Xbox Series X) hype possibly drowning out the Switch hype.
But until holiday 2020, Switch sales being strong is pretty much certain.
@Octane
I for one will find it tricky to go back to the old ways. I love playing on TV then “switching” when I want to travel, lounge on the sofa. It’s genius really. Yeah, I’m sure cloud streaming across devices a la Strada would scratch the same itch but I like a bit of hardware - and Nintendo hardware at that!
The Switch outselling the Xbox One in that short time is also a big feat if you ask me.
@dartmonkey Not sure why you guys never mention the earnings or RoS in this kind of article... Sure, the sales number are easier to handle also for the average reader. But the success and finally Nintendos Life (pawn intended) highly depends with the money they earn with each device. I would really love to have an article covering the money Nintendo actually made with each generation. This would really show, if a device was successful or not. Best example is the automotive industry. Mercedes has the highest number in sales compared to Audi and BMW, but has some serious money problem right now. One reason is, that Audi and BMW simply.make more money with every car sold.
This topic should be mentioned in each article that talks about "success" of a product.
@SuperGhirahim64 I think the days of Nintendo doing both a home console and handheld are gone. Hybrid is the future for Nintendo
This coming year will be telling. Breath of the Wild 2 is a good start, but I feel like Nintendo needs more exclusives for it to continue to do well rather than maybe getting a BotW sequel 2020 holiday season.
As of right now, this year looks kind of light on games.
It needs software this year because apart from Animal Crossing there’s little else.
I for one hope all of Nintendo's next systems are a handheld / home system hybrid. I like my Switch better than my PC or PS4 and would take a new Switch like system every 5 or so years.
The problem of the article's premise is the hybrid concept being painted as "losing one of the pillars" when both of said pillars were just put together to form a wider, thicker and stouter column - almost as if that was the definition of "hybrid" itself. I may be a philologist, but I dare question logic like "1+1=1" even with my math-allergic brain. What sells Nintendo consoles, creative features (provided they don't end up misadvertised)? Check. Portability? Check. Notable first party offerings? Check. So the legs depend on the usual combination of audience interest in these selling points and Switch continuing to offer these selling points. Whether it'll hit the Wii levels is anyone's best guess, considering how many Wii owners are [memetically?] believed to have bought a Wii Fit machine and continued to think that "Super Mario Galaxy" is the name of a pizzeria chain. But Switch does have its Ring Fit adventures, among the multiple other offerings - and the marketing has been crystal clear in what it offers actual hobbyist gamers of all ages as well.
XBSX has been more or less unveiled last month - do its features include what Switch "Nintendoes"? Is there anything known about PS5 that suggests its features promising anything of the kind (no, streaming doesn't count)? There's nothing either of the remaining big Gen 9 launches anticipate that would be at odds with Switch's current status as the console gamers go to for the experiences Sony and Microsoft don't readily offer. Be it exclusive IPs, the hardware that blends play modes without cross-save/crossbuy rituals, DIY cardboard escapades, the ease of impromptu local multiplayer or the ports that trade crisper textures and more agile framerate for the chance to be beaten (or, ahem, so much as STARTED) within the owner's lifetime. All of these factors are summing up to the baobab of a pillar Nintendo are standing on. In the world of entertainment, nothing guarantees a winning streak forever, but Nintendo's odds look pretty damn decent for many months ahead.
@Ralizah Third parties wanted nothing to do with Wii either, which is why it got a bunch of shovelware and gross ports.
Part of the appeal of the Switch was its hybrid, take-it-anywhere paradigm in the first place. It's basically the first of its kind. It can be a "console" hooked up to your TV/monitor or a handheld on-the-go.
And I absolutely love it. More of this in the future, please. I love being able to play Frogger or Pac-Man while waiting for my haircut while I'm out and moving from my kitchen to my living room to play Ring Fit Adventure at home.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear,_uncertainty,_and_doubt
way to go guys...
It’s nothing for us to worry about switch is fine
@johnvboy That thread is hilarious, especially if you follow it up by reading this one: https://www.neogaf.com/threads/playstation-vita-two-hundred-forty-nine-us-dollars-249.432772/
@dartmonkey
"With less than three years since the console launched, 21 Switch games – first- and third-party combined – have sold over a million copies"
This is incorrect. 21 games sold at least 1 million copies during the current Fiscal Year, not Life To Date.
@mazzel I agree there's potential for an exploration of the actual money made each generation, although historically Nintendo avoids selling hardware at a loss (with the exception of Wii U and 3DS in the beginning, I believe). There'd be plenty of stats, but not much drama, certainly not compared to other platforms.
@nhSnork I did mention the girth of Switch's pillar Still, balance-wise two are preferable to one, but they've got another with the mobile stuff.
Of course, what they really need now is a third pillar...
@SuperCharlie78 You are correct! I'll edit. Thanks
@dartmonkey
no prob. I love to help lol
@jwfurness,
But from a core point of view you can see why they would think this, but still very funny.
@DK-Fan "The future's bright for gamers – on all platforms – so cheers to that."
I think Nintendo will continue to be in good health if they continue their current trend of backing smaller niche titles like DxM and Astral Chain alongside the larger mainstream releases like Pokémon and Mario Kart.
The biggest challenge will be from the PS5 and Xbox Series X this Christmas.
@JayJ tbh it's why for me the i improvement of the Switch wasn't as a successor to the WiiU that could be played on the go... but as a successor to nuit 3DS I could finally connect ti my TV(as I often wished I could have done when playing the Dragon Quest 8 remake on my 3DS upon coming home from my commute back from work).
@RadioHedgeFund I think they'll still do somewhat okay when those consoles release even if only from just the amount of people who frequently play in handheld.
Sure I can play a PS5 at home but I can't bring it on the bus for my commute to work... which I can for the Switch
I guess I shouldn't have bought all those games for the Switch last year, a lot more than I did for Steam or the PS4. Clearly I am throwing money at a dying business. /sarcasm
When Animal Crossing: New Horizons comes out, they're going to sell so many consoles. It'll really help the Switch Lite out. Further, if they release a Switch Pro, it will help sales even more. That'll help them get some recurring customers like myself that bought a Switch on release day in '17 and are ready for an upgrade anyways. Personally, I don't think a Pro is coming until late 2021, but when it does, it'll sell very well assuming it is a substantial upgrade.
@SuperGhirahim64 I would like to see a dedicated home system and a not so bulky handheld that share the same games myself. Let people choose which to buy if not both and be able to play the same games.
Yet I don't ever see that happening.
I feel like we've reached a point where we're not getting as much out of new console launches as we used to. The jump between the SNES and the N64? That felt tremendous. From 64-bit to Gamecube? Still amazing. Ever the since the PS3/360 era though, technological leaps have felt much smaller and nowhere near as significant.
I was honestly shocked when Sony announced the PS5, because the PS4's games still look great and the console still feels modern to me. It took me a bit to realize it had actually been seven years and we were "due" for something new.
Only I'm tired of new. I'd much rather see hardware makers support their already-impressive hardware for longer. The Switch could absolutely have the "legs" of the Game Boy. Nintendo just needs to keep backing it up with great content that people want to play.
@SuperGhirahim64 I'd say there's almost no way they'd go back to the two system approach so soon, if ever. The Switch has been such a good thing for their software sales and doubling down on one system is better than having one moderately successful handheld and a failing console, which is what they risk if they separate their teams again.
Also, I completely agree about the snappiness of zero to gaming. Being able to grab the Switch and be in game and playing something instantly, even just for a few minutes here and there, has gotten me through a number of big games I may have otherwise passed on completely.
Switch is just warming up. It's effectively supply constrained, with the lite an obvious market segment.
Look at the iPad. It's been going 10+ years, and will not stop. Nintendo are positioning the switch as the iPad for gaming.
And the other thing about the pillars is software consolidation. No more mobile Mario kart and console Mario kart. Just Mario kart.
As long as the attach rates remain high, the switch will be here forever. It's much easier to profit from a software release - especially when digital sales are going up (again, look at the iPad ... All Digital sales).
I think Switch is gonna sell extremely well this year then dip right off into next year. They've learned some bad lessons from this and stopped being hungry after 2017. Their Online is a mess, the way you communicate with your friends is nonexistant, their game schedule has been a mess, their 3rd party support (not indie) is anemic or dusty, their hardware is fragile, and many bigger games now are just releasing digital in empty boxes. No one of those things kills anything...but overtime it will add up enough (plus the excitement of the next gen consoles) that the sales will definitely start to slow. This hasn't been an issue because, until now the form factor of the Switch feels so good to own, it's your buddy, you take it with you plus this system has pushed forward mostly off it's first year exclusives plus Pokemon and Smash. So it'll slow. I'm guessing it beats the GBA and maybe squeaks past the 360 and Ps3. Now if they get more iterative with it, a legit PRO model then eventually phases in as the new standard with added 3rd party support and better builds for the controllers, etc...sky is the limit.
The Switch might beat the Wii in the end. I see it top out at 103 million.
3 Yrs going strong is around the world is more then enough. PS5 isn't going to change that.
On it's own, I don't think switch can get to Wii, but Wii's only extension to it's rule was enhancing the waggle. I could see a Pro revision doing it IF and ONLY IF they built in some genuine enhancements to the performance and quality of life features from what they've learned with the current models.
The Nintendo Switch has so much to offer the consumer, including flavoured game cartridges.
Ha! The Wii was a one-off - the interesting console just before smartphones took off. And, let's be honest, the 3/DS software was getting to a point where it wasn't worth considering, any more (save for maybe Pokémon). The Switch is the best strategy for the foreseeable future, with the mobile games replacing the "old portable" hardware lines. Certainly far more profitable than having to make the portable-only hardware in the first place, before even hopefully selling games.
"But what if the current Smart Whale bubble bursts?" Simple. At that time, Nintendo will be experienced enough to offer full(er) experiences at full(er) prices on smart devices.
I think the growth of online dedicated services eg Stadia and the Microsoft one will be what eventually dampen Switch sales more than the more traditional next round of next gen consoles.
The Switch is such a versatile console. I'm sure the Pokémon Company was having anxiety about moving to home console. Switch Lite was an obvious decision to offer a more traditional experience. Now we are getting Brain Training and who knows what else. You say consolidating hand held and console divisions was a cost, but I see it as opportunity. They can make both for the same folk!
Switch will overtake Wii at some point because it's audience is more gameplay focused, so it's not a fad as such. Streaming is way off and subscription services might actually dissuade people buying beefy consoles, but still be up for Nintendo-esq experiences.
What's next? Well, seeing as though the Lite hasn't impacted the Switch very much, they may as well offer a Switch DX - a sleeker model like the DS Lite, that will make our current Switch look ugly lol. It may have a more current cpu inside but it won't be a selling point. Only Digital Floundering will blow $2000 on a rig to emulate the new hardware.
Switch has a long life. It's my fave console ever (so I'm probably biased lol!) but Nintendo are so prolific and most companies are on board.
No EA is a selling point to me. The less unscrupulous practices surrounding my hobby the better.
@cmk8 I think the growth of online dedicated services eg Stadia and the Microsoft one will be what eventually dampen Switch sales more than the more traditional next round of next gen consoles.
This is why the Switch is far exceeding expectations. Very short sightness in lack of knowledge streaming isn't primetime. Until everyone is Fiber connected online streaming is just that a myth. Take into account one has to subscribe to a ISP and then Pay for the Streaming services-these are two separate services and they don't come cheap if you want High-Speed internet. That's the reason steaming will never reach what they gloss or sugar coat over. There are cost that they don't tell you will face to begin to have high-speed internet/streaming online.
@SwitchForce Stadia isn’t going to impact Switch. Stadia won’t have any impact at all the video games industry. Not one jot.
Stadia...LOL! 😂😂😂😂😂
On a serious note (Stadia 😂😂😂😂💩💩) the Nintendo Switch is going nowhere. Actually, scrap that, Nintendo Switch is going far. And it will continue to be a great success.
Unlike the Stadia which is a failure and an unmitigated disaster. It even makes the Wii U look mega successful!
@Lemonyoshi Why do you think that the PS5 won't come out until 2021? That's highly unlikely. The XSX is coming out this fall. Everyone is reporting that both systems will be out this fall. The PS4 and XB1 came out at the same time in the Fall of 2013. The only time when the PS3 came out a year after the XB360 was because the PS2 was still selling really well, totaling 150 million + when all said and done. The PS5 will be out this Fall.
I think the Switch will loose some steam next year, with the jump to next gen. Current gen games are - no matter how good the port - already severely compromised on the Switch, to the point, where I don't see why anyone would pick them up on the Switch, if they have an alternative. The gap, which already there, will be obvious even to a blind man.
There are ways to mitigate this, but ultimately, they Switch will feel not just somewhat but truly dated. That is not just an hardware issue. The UI and system features are incredibly basic and stagnant as well.
What I am saying is that the Switch will start to feel old quickly. Just like the PS2 felt dated you 1st booted up the PS3. It's going to be a significant upgrade for sure - beyond just graphics as well. The kind of physic-simulations and scale-of-world-simulations that are going to be doable across the board, no longer hampered by budget CPUs and mechanical harddrives for streaming, will have a huge impact for games designed around the new systems.
I'm not really sure there is a way to make these games into viable ports. It's not a matter of making compromises then, but of having a seperate team develop a Switch version from the ground up - just as in the ...... Wii Days. The Wii was not succesful because of it's more or less acceptable ports of 3rd party games ....
Nintendo still needs - I feel - the kind of appeal that only a broad library can grant, to even get remotely close to Wii Day success. Indies alone are not going to cut it.
The good news is, that they still have at least a year, probably two before tihs really turns into a serious problem.
Why is DS always taken as reference? Beside the fact that it was the last pre-smartphone handheld, it was common for many „customers“ to literally never buy any game but to illegally download all games to piracy devices. Big N will like to sell 100m Switch without massive piracy instead of 200m with.
@Investor9872 No, no. I mean the Switch Pro. I know ghe PS5 and XSX will be out by the end of November. I just don't think we'll get a Switch Pro until 2021.
The Switch will cross the 100m mark, no problem. Two more years of 15m+ sold, followed by two or three waning years of sub-10m sold. In the end it'll be Nintendo's best selling home console in company history. The real question is, will it surpass the DS's 150m units sold?
@Investor9872 Now that is very likely. The Switch is selling so well, and depending on what sort of 1st-party softwares are coming out in the fall to mitigate the impact of the PS5 and XSX releases, Nintendo will sell a boat load of more Switches. I would love to be able to pick up a Switch Pro or a Switch XL this year, but it does seem more than likely that Nintendo doesn't need to release another system till 2021.
@Ludovsky Exactly. I think no matter what the Switch should be viewed as a portable console first. I know a lot of people enjoy using it as a home console but it has never been competitive with the PS4 and Xbox One when it came to graphics and performance. You always had to understand it's value as a portable to understand why the Switch is such a great console.
@Ralek85 I think the Switch will loose some steam next year, with the jump to next gen. Current gen games are - no matter how good the port - already severely compromised on the Switch, to the point, where I don't see why anyone would pick them up on the Switch
This kinda logic is the reason why Switch is successful and beating xvox/pspoor right now. And Witcher 3 port has far exceeded the value but reading this comment the poster would try to deny much as possible.
@Ralek85 The gap, which already there, will be obvious even to a blind man.
Yeah and this is the blind person posting following the blind yea that the works out.
@Ralek85 Nintendo still needs - I feel - the kind of appeal that only a broad library can grant
Oh man where do we start-this is what the Trolls would say from the start when Switch released and now continue. So if one says this enough then this becomes true.
@Ralek85 The good news is, that they still have at least a year, probably two before tihs really turns into a serious problem.
We have a revisionist here folks.
@Ludovsky Exactly. Nintendo still have a great m/o even in the face of faster tech from their rivals.
It is likely the other 2 see game streaming as the 'handheld' part of their plans and whilst I've been really impressed with how well xcloud runs on my home WiFi running it on 4G on a moving vehicle whilst bolted to an Xbox controller is a terrible experience.
If Nintendo promoted the theoretical Switch Pro as a "successor" (with new concepts, backwards compatible, etc...), would its sales still count as part of the entire Switch 'family'?
"How many more Wiis might have been sold if Nintendo had rejuvenated that little console with a modern-style 'Pro' variant after a few years?" By looking at Wii's 2010 - 2012 sales, I wonder if it could've benefitted from an HD revision.
And as you said it, I like to think of Nintendo's mobile sector as its "second" pillar
@Stewtred. New hardware means bigger more detailed worlds. More NPCs, cities, etc.
If Nintendo went back to dedicated home console, I'd probably not have a lot of interest in it. Of course I'd get one eventually for the 'Nintendo' games, but a hybrid is what I want from a console now.
As long as they keep getting the software library so right, in beginning to think 100 million sales is a possibility just for the Switch models we have now. Iterative upgrades will add a lot more, as a Switch ‘family.’
If the PS4 outsold the Wii with SKUs at $299/399 the Switch should be able to do it with $199/$299.
It has enjoyed the advantage of a cheaper price point since day 1.
But It is all about the games - price just helps. And Nintendo deserves the credit here - it has done all the lifting at the high end (some true gaming gems)
Unfortunately 3rd party is just awful, I can only imagine where the Switch would be if they actually been trying 🙄
I think a more interesting comparison would be software sales on both platforms. I may be wrong but I think Switch is shifting more software than Wii did, cause lest we forget a lot of casuals only bought the Wii for Wii Sports and then maybe Wii Fit. And those families that had kids probably had Mario Kart Wii on it to appease them. But overall I think Switch games are reaching much higher numbers in general, cause there are more "actual gamers" who have one and appreciate what it can do in terms of core experiences. That's just the way I see it from where I'm standing though. Doesn't make it right.
@RadioHedgeFund honestly you just summed up my thoughts about aut I feel streaming can barely be considered even a "stopgap" to being an "handheld" replacement.
I don't even dare to imagine the amount of mobile data it gobble up??? Like something tells me my 2gb data plan would beg for mercy before a single week would be over.
@RudyC3 honestly that you said there is a good point regarding software sales because that's perhaps the one area i'm surprised by just how much the Switch keep knocking it out of the ballpark? Like just the latest Pokemon is mind boggling amount of sales in only two months??
@Agramonte ironically i'm kind of both unsurprised by there being less high level third party support than other consoles but also still just how much it's getting compared to both the Wii and WiiU?
Third party support on Wii was frequently downright horrible (I mean, Carnival Games shudders. I -still- recall those days??).
wow with nearly 3 years in the market, the Nintendo Switch outsold the SNES i will not be suprised if at the end of Switch life, it become close to outsold Wii or outsold Wii.
I don't understand why people think it's fair to compare a console that's been out to consoles that have already finished their entire lifespans.
@Ludovsky I kind of use mine as a jury rigged Xbox by plugging my phone into the downstairs TV. I moved the X1 upstairs to my son's room so he can hang with his friends up there but I still miss playing Forza. It's not too bad a facsimile
I think it will be around the wii in terms of success, and investors should be happy about that. Growth of the devices has been increasing, a good sign for a device that has not had a price cut yet.
Priced at $199.99 Lite and $299.99 Standard is a good price considering the Portable nature of both and what you pay to have the Docked Model. Any less and NIN would be in loosing proposition here. You can make something cost so much before your Loss to Returns exasperates your corporate ruins. If xvox/pspoor run the $500+ gambit they are asking for trouble. A more expensive console isn't what sells. It's the game that support the console that make buyers buy the console. That is also part Factor here that alot of NintenDoomed Basher are and tend to forget. Indie took the risk and paid off to those who created QC games and now Major Brand are wanting the BandWagon train. They bashed the Switch and now are trying to be revisionist lines they never hated Switch.
@Investor9872 I feel like releasing a Switch Pro anytime this year will be overshadowed by the PS5 and XSX. I'd love to get a Switch Pro and would accept it with open arms - but financially, for Nintendo as a business, I just don't think it makes sense. I'm thinking Summer/Fall 2021?
@Lemonyoshi By then it would have been 4 1/2 years old, so might as well wait a few more years to release a Switch 2, with a proper, more modern CPU/GPU chipset.
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