Skip to main content

Report: Nintendo has sold 1.5 million Switch consoles in less than two weeks

Nintendo Switch review
Mike Epstein/Digital Trends
We haven’t been able to stop playing our Nintendo Switch systems, thanks in no small part to the incredible The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and it appears that we are not alone. A new report estimates that Nintendo has managed to sell more than 1.5 million consoles in less than two weeks on the market.

The figures, which come from game data research firm SuperData via Gamesindustry.biz, said that 500,000 Switch systems were sold during the system’s first week in the United States alone, with another 360,000 sold in Japan — the data didn’t give an exact total for Europe as a whole but stated that it was comparable to Japan’s sales, and France and the United Kingdom combined for 195,000 more units.

There does appear to be a slight discrepancy in the math based on the individual regions’ sales figures. Even when assuming that Europe managed to equal Japan’s sales, the total number given by the report only equals about 1.4 million — it’s possible that there were other regions not explicitly mentioned that were factored into that total.

In North America, the Switch’s sales are up by about 20 percent over the Wii U — a console that actually opened to a pretty strong reception before quickly fizzling out in 2013. The Switch also sold considerably better than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and at least in its first two days, outsold the Wii. The Wii went on to sell 600,000 units in only a week, but the Switch appears to be keeping remarkably close pace.

The GameIndustry.biz report also stated that 90 percent of Switch owners also purchased The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which would put total sales for that game at around 1.35 million. We’re just wondering who chose a different game with their system. Some people must really love 1-2 Switch.

Editors' Recommendations

Gabe Gurwin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
Our 5 biggest predictions for the September Nintendo Direct: Metroid, Zelda, and more
Samus gives a thumbs up in Metroid Prime.

Following months of Nintendo-related leaks and a third-party showcase in June, the second full-fledged Nintendo Direct of 2022 is finally happening. February's show had neat reveals of games like Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes, Mario Strikers: Battle League, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, and Nintendo Switch Sports. Now, Nintendo Switch players hope the September 2022 Nintendo Direct will give a clear idea of what to expect throughout the rest of this year and into the first months of 2023.
Ahead of the showcase's announcements, rumors about a couple of key Nintendo classic remasters heavily circulated. There are also delayed Nintendo Switch titles that we hope finally get release dates. Although there's a chance that none of the following predictions will come to fruition tomorrow, it's still fun to guess what might pop up. As such, here are five announcements we hope to see at the September 2022 Nintendo Direct.
Metroid Prime returns

 
Metroid fans ate well last year with the release of Metroid Dread, but they've still waited since 2017 for the long-delayed Metroid Prime 4. Although there's nothing to suggest that Metroid Prime 4 will pop up here just yet, a remaster or remake of Metroid Prime seems much more likely. A Nintendo Switch version of the GameCube classic was subject to rumors for years, but rumblings of the game's existence really ramped up in 2022. 
From Giant Bomb's Jeff Grubb to prolific Nintendo leaker Emily Rogers, the more reliable parts of the gaming rumor mill say that some sort of Metroid Prime rerelease project is in the works at Nintendo. Grubb even claims that it's coming this year, so Nintendo would need to reveal it very soon if that's true. If it is real, the biggest question surrounding Metroid Prime on Nintendo Switch is just how much of a reimagining it is. Will it be an HD port, a more substantive remaster, or a from-the-ground-up remake? Hopefully, we won't have to wait much longer to find out. 
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess get rereleased 

Read more
Pick up these 7 great Switch games before Nintendo’s big eShop sale ends
Lego rey fighting kylo.

Steam isn't the only platform holding a big summer sale. Nintendo Switch users can currently get a whole bunch of games up to 50% off on the eShop from now through July 6 in a "Big Ol' Super Sale." While gaming sales are a dime a dozen, a Nintendo sale is especially significant. The company is usually stingy when it comes to discounting its exclusives, so events like this are rare.

The list of discounted games isn't one to ignore. While it doesn't include any recent releases, like Mario Strikers: Battle League, it's a great way to get some of 2021's best console exclusives at half price. Here are the games you should grab before the sale ends. Get them this week and you can take them on your Fourth of July vacation.
Monster Hunter Rise | $31

Read more
Nintendo Switch lifetime sales beat PlayStation 4
Person holding Nintendo Switch, looking at the home screen.

The Nintendo Switch's versatility has made it the bestselling console for the last five years. It has sold so well, in fact, that it has surpassed the lifetime sales of the PS4, according to The NPD Group.

Mat Piscatella, executive director and gaming industry advisor for The NPD Group, tweeted the sales figures for the Switch on Friday. He points out that the Switch is now the fourth highest unit selling console in U.S, and the sixth highest selling console overall, coming behind just three other bestselling consoles of all time, the PS2, Xbox 360, and Wii, Nintendo's legacy console. He also said that the Switch sold more units than any other console last month and outpaced Xbox Series X/S year-to-date.

Read more