Nintendo’s flagship gaming console, the Nintendo Switch, has officially become the best-selling system in the Japanese company’s history, surpassing the long-standing record previously held by the Nintendo DS. The milestone underscores the hybrid console’s remarkable commercial durability more than eight years after its 2017 launch.
Record Sales: Switch Surpasses Legendary DS
Nintendo’s own financial data show the original Nintendo Switch has sold 155.37 million units worldwide as of December 31, 2025, overtaking the Nintendo DS — which logged 154.02 million lifetime sales — to claim the top spot among all consoles manufactured by the company.
This achievement represents a major triumph for a platform that blended traditional home gaming with portable play, attracting both core gamers and casual players across generations. Even nearly a decade after its debut, Switch hardware continues to sell steadily, buoyed by refinements, price adjustments and a robust library of games.
A Hybrid Revolution That Redefined Gaming
What sets the Switch apart is its hybrid design, which allows users to play on a television or switch to handheld mode seamlessly — a feature that industry analysts have credited with broadening its appeal. This versatility helped sustain demand long after competing consoles faded, carving out a unique space in the gaming market.
In contrast to many rivals that are positioned strictly as either home or portable systems, the Switch’s adaptable form factor became a hallmark of Nintendo’s strategy — one that also helped drive strong software sales and long console lifecycles.
The Numbers Behind the Milestone
According to the latest earnings report for the nine months ending December 31, 2025, the original Switch contributed 1.36 million units during that quarter alone, bolstering its cumulative total. The console outpaced the DS not just in volume but in sustained relevance, continuing to attract buyers even as its successor — the Nintendo Switch 2 — enters the market and captures headlines.
Despite reaching this historic plateau, the Switch still trails Sony’s PlayStation 2, which remains the best-selling game console of all time with more than 160 million units sold worldwide — a record the Switch could conceivably challenge in the coming years if production and demand continue.
Switch 2’s Early Impact and Future Prospects
The newly released Nintendo Switch 2 has also made an impressive start, with roughly 17.37 million units sold since its June 2025 launch — marking it as one of the fastest-selling consoles in Nintendo’s history and outpacing the Wii U’s lifetime total in under a year.
Although the Switch 2 is establishing its own legacy, the enduring popularity of the original system is a testament to Nintendo’s strategy of overlapping product lifecycles, allowing older hardware to remain relevant even as new technology arrives.
Software Strength and Brand Momentum
Beyond hardware figures, the Switch has also driven significant software sales over its lifetime, amassing billions of games sold thanks to enduring hits like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — titles that have become staples of modern gaming culture.
The platform’s success has helped Nintendo bolster its broader entertainment footprint, with ventures into film, theme parks and multimedia experiences reinforcing its iconic brand.
A Defining Chapter in Gaming History
As of early 2026, the Nintendo Switch’s leap to the top of Nintendo’s sales charts is more than a numerical milestone — it reflects a period of strategic reinvention for a company that has outlasted many competitors in a rapidly evolving industry.
With its aging hardware still selling and a powerful successor establishing its own foundation, the Switch era may yet influence console design and gaming trends for years to come.
Overall, while the PlayStation 2’s global record still stands, the Switch’s ascent to Nintendo’s all-time best-seller highlights its unprecedented impact and enduring appeal in the games market.
