Nintendo Switch Soars as Anticipated Top Console

Nintendo Switch 2 Projected as Top-Selling Next-Gen Console

Market research firm DFC Intelligence forecasts robust sales for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, estimating 15-17 million units sold in its first year, surpassing projected sales of competing consoles. This prediction positions the Switch 2 as a market leader.

Dominating the Market by 2028

DFC Intelligence's 2024 Video Game Market Report, released December 17th, labels the Switch 2 the "clear winner" in the next-gen console race. The report cites the Switch 2's anticipated 2025 release and limited initial competition as key factors contributing to its projected success. Sales are projected to reach 15-17 million units in 2025 and over 80 million units by 2028. The report even suggests Nintendo might face manufacturing challenges due to high demand.

While Sony and Microsoft are reportedly developing handheld consoles, these projects appear to be in earlier stages of development. DFC Intelligence anticipates new consoles from these companies by 2028. This three-year head start for the Switch 2 (barring unexpected releases in 2026) is expected to solidify its market dominance. The report suggests only one of the post-Switch 2 consoles will achieve significant success, potentially a hypothetical "PS6," leveraging PlayStation's established player base and strong intellectual properties.

The enduring popularity of Nintendo and the Switch is undeniable, with lifetime US sales surpassing those of the PlayStation 2, according to Circana (formerly NPD). Mat Piscatella, executive director and analyst at Circana, highlighted on BlueSky that the Switch's 46.6 million lifetime US sales place it second only to the Nintendo DS in all-time US hardware sales, despite a reported 3% year-over-year sales decline.

A Resurgent Video Game Industry

DFC Intelligence's report paints a positive outlook for the video game industry, projecting sustained growth through the end of the decade after a two-year slump. 2025 is anticipated to be a particularly strong year, fueled by new product releases like the Switch 2 and Grand Theft Auto VI. The global gaming audience is projected to exceed 4 billion players by 2027, driven by the increasing accessibility of "high-end gaming-on-the-go" and the growth of esports and gaming influencers. This expanding market is also expected to boost hardware sales across PC and consoles.