Just earlier, we reported on hardware sales in the UK for February 2022, and it looks like it's a similar story across the pond.
The Switch is back to being the top-selling console for units sold in the US this February, which the Big N will be happy with as they slipped down a few places in January.
Perhaps that post-holiday lull wore off quickly for Nintendo, or word-of-mouth surrounding just how good Pokémon Legends: Arceus was at the end of the month meant people couldn't resist missing out on any more Pocket Monster adventures.
Interestingly, the Xbox Series X|S stayed at a solid second, with the PlayStation 5 slipping from first to third, though it's still the biggest selling console in terms of dollar sales this year.
However, just like in the UK, the US saw an overall drop in hardware sales in February by 27% when compared to the same period in 2021.
Nintendo likely had to rely on its core monster-catching franchise to sustain high console sales, but the other consoles got a huge hitter this month in the form of Elden Ring, which unsurprisingly sits proudly atop the pile. Sony exclusive Horizon Forbidden West takes second place, with Legends: Arceus sitting snugly below that and above a few other new releases.
There are plenty of Nintendo's old-reliable releases in that list, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild returning to the top 20. March sees the release of another major first-party Nintendo title - Kirby and the Forgotten Land - so it'll be interesting to see how our round, bubblegum-coloured buddy influences sales in his first-ever fully 3D mainline entry.
What do you think of the sales figures? Let us know in the comments!
[source twitter.com, via mynintendonews.com]
Comments 20
Doesn't surprise me, the Nintendo switch may not have the newest gen multi platform releases but it still has the best first party and third party exclusive games out of all the consoles, just infront of playstation. With so many games that sell over 10 million
Nintendolife ought to acknowledge the pandemic boost. The big question is whether things are smaller now than pre-pandemic. UK and Europe data has it up 40 - 50% over Feb 2020 (according to GamesIndustry)
Well Deserved! Looking forward to seeing Nintendo Switch outsell ps4 and gameboy/gameboy color THIS YEAR!
The Switch story is exhausted.
Wait...
Switch still top dog into it's 6th year. Incredible success story! Industry seems to be having a bit of a lull (though not through any fult of it's own.)
Switch is destined to be the top selling console of all time
Thought the Switch was doomed to a massive sales decline like the Wii, and was also not going to be relevant without a pro version.
Just waiting for the inevitable "the only console you can buy" and "only sold well because of the pandemic" comments, so I can cross them off my bingo card.
@johnvboy Lol. It's funny because it's true.
Removed - unconstructive
Well that’s probably because you can actually find Switches. I would love to buy a PS5, but it’s impossible to get right now unless you want to pay a scalper $1000 or more.
GTA Trilogy jumped up a crap load of rankings. Maybe word of mouth spread that the updates actually did good.
Around the same time in its console cycle the original Wii was slowing down bigtime in hardware sales and its lineup was pretty dreadful. It was a shame because from 2006-2010 it was a great system but the last couple years really put it in a bad light.
I do think the pandemic factored into how things have played out, at least a little bit, but it's great to see the Switch still going strong, it's been an awesome system and I'd have it second on my list of favorite Nintendo platforms just after SNES.
@uptownsoul Because it doesn't fit their narrative this month. Maybe the supply issues are back 😂😂😂
And do note that this month saw 2 massive releases for PS5 as well, while Switch had pretty much nothing. People simply need to accept that Switch simply is the better console to buy right now. It's cheaper, it has a significantly superior library and a great form factor. An absolute no brainer.
Really hard to tell what the actual numbers would be without a chip shortage... I doubt Switch would lead in NA but for for sure would still in Japan. While the switch is still one of my favorites of all time I find myself playing my other two consoles more lately.
Switch is in its 6th year now and so many games still to look forward to.
@uptownsoul,
The PS5 last year was only just tracking behind the PS4 in sales, so there has been consoles out there to buy, it's just the market has been very good for re sellers, and the fact there have been supply issues have driven up demand.
@uptownsoul Because people that wanted their PS5 got it in January when it became available again, now there's a surplus, it's a very simple explanation.
Maybe the switch sells because it's a great console rather then "stock shortages of ps5 and Xbox One X"
@uptownsoul Not really, it isn't really surprising if it does, the Switch is on its 6th year.
What Amazes me is how NL will take down something for clickbait posting.
the Nintendo switch may not have the newest gen multi platform releases but it still has the best first party and third party exclusive games out of all the consoles
Theses are lines people use whom have no forethought of why the Switch has so much success for lowpower or underpowered graphics to imagine their Nintendo Geniuses' are at work.
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