For many years to come, people are going to look at the lifetime of the Nintendo Switch and likely note that it has been one of the most successful video game platforms ever created. One of the key highlights of this span of history will be that no one expected the Switch to be such a hit. After all, it came after the Wii U, which was one of the biggest glops in video game history. However, the system sold like hotcakes due to the clever design and the games that brought people to the table. Fast forward to now, and it’s made history in Japan.
As cited by Famitsu, the Nintendo Switch has officially surpassed the Nintendo DS as the best-selling video game platform in Japan, selling nearly 33 million units in just Japan alone. That’s an impressive stat, and you can see why many are over the moon about this happening, as they likely thought the DS wouldn’t be topped:
A key reason why this is an impressive feat has to do not with the Switch but Japan. In recent times, Japan’s gaming culture has shifted away from traditional consoles and more into the realm of handhelds. They love playing games on the go, and that’s why numerous mobile titles do well there. The Switch tapped into that and gave them a system that allowed them to play console-style titles on the go. That undoubtedly led to a spike in sales for the platform over the last seven years. How high the system will get in Japan is unknown, but over 33 million is a given at this point.
Another thing that can’t be ignored is the great lineup of software that the Switch has. It featured all sorts of games, including ones that Japanese gamers couldn’t resist. They particularly have a love of Splatoon 3.
Regardless, the question that everyone will eventually focus on is that of, “Can the Switch 2 meet and surpass this new record?” That’s truly up in the air on many levels. First off, we don’t know what Nintendo’s new console will look like, play like, etc. The other big element is the games. As we just noted, the Switch had a great lineup that people worldwide could rally behind. If the Switch 2 wants to top what its predecessor did, it needs just as strong a lineup.
The Big N has its work cut out for it, but for now, it’ll revel in the records its current system is still making.
