The Nintendo Switch continues to go from strength to strength. The console has sold 28.33 million units this fiscal year, with 4.73 million in the last quarter alone, which is well above the company's forecasts.
Demand has no doubt been driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also by the range of software that the Switch offers.
How Many Units Has the Nintendo Switch Sold?
As recorded in Nintendo's financial statements, Nintendo shipped 28.83 million Switch units in the last fiscal year. That represents a 37% increase over the year prior.
In the recent quarter of January to March, Switch sales were up 44% compared to the same period last year, with 4.73 million units shipped.
Both of these figures are beyond what the company had predicted. While it was expected the COVID-19 pandemic would see strong Switch sales, due to the fact that many people would be stuck indoors and looking for new entertainment, the actual figures exceeded expectations.
This means that the Switch has now shipped 84.59 million units in its lifetime (the console launched in March 2017). The console has already outsold the Game Boy Advance and will no doubt quickly overtake the Wii's 101.63 million sales.
Whether the Switch will be able to beat Nintendo's mammoth 154 million sales of the Nintendo DS family remains to be seen. Regardless, there's no doubt that the Switch has been a huge success for Nintendo, especially after the comparatively lackluster sales of the Wii U (around 13.56 million units).
What Does the Future Hold for the Nintendo Switch?
While Nintendo still haven't confirmed anything officially, rumors continue to float that the Japanese games company will be releasing a new model of the Switch this year. There are many improvements a new Switch could bring, including a larger screen and longer-lasting battery.
However, we do know for certain that a blue Switch will release in May, which will no doubt encourage some double-dipping.
That new color will also release alongside Miitopia, with other future first-party launches including Mario Golf: Super Rush, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword remake, and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl.
The impact of Nintendo's software sales is not to be overlooked. Game sales rose by 37% in this fiscal year compared to the last, with 230.88 million units shipped. Games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Super Mario 3D All-Star are all responsible for this.
The Switch Shows No Signs of Slowing
While Sony and Microsoft released new consoles recently, Nintendo operates its own schedule. The Nintendo Switch shows no signs of slowing down, with new models and software launching all the time. Eventually, it may very well become the best-selling console of all time.