Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Switch console launch sets 48-hour sales record for Nintendo of America

Danny Cowan
By

switch console launch nintendos biggest ever nintendoswitch hardware 1 2 640x0
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Nintendo Of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé confirmed that last weekend’s Nintendo Switch release was the company’s biggest console launch ever in North America, topping a previous 48-hour sales record set by its 2006 Wii console.

In the U.K., retailers revealed that the Switch sold around 80,000 units during its launch weekend, doubling the estimated 40,000 Wii U consoles sold during a 48-hour launch period in 2013, while trailing equivalent launches for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo’s own 3DS.

Recommended Videos

The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid gaming console that transforms into a portable gaming unit when removed from its TV-connected dock. The new console includes a pair of Joy-Con controllers, which function as wireless input during TV play and can be attached to the system’s touchscreen for on-the-go portable sessions.

Related

Despite skepticism from the gaming community and prerelease concerns regarding Joy-Con connectivity, the Nintendo Switch quickly sold out at many retailers in North America, establishing a new sales record. Speaking to New York Times reporter Nick Wingfield, Fils-Aimé said the Switch “exceeded first 2-day sales in Americas for any system in Nintendo history.”

Fils-Aimé also confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is now Nintendo’s fastest-selling stand-alone launch title in the United States, not counting games that were bundled with Nintendo console hardware. Nintendo’s previous top-selling U.S. launch title was 1996’s Super Mario 64, which debuted alongside the Nintendo 64 in 1996.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild also emerged as a popular pick during its opening weekend, though Sony’s Horizon: Zero Dawn ranks as the week’s overall biggest seller across all platforms in the U.K. Other Switch launch titles appearing in this week’s U.K. sales charts, according to GamesInudstry.biz, include the minigame compilation 1-2 Switch and the multiplayer action game Super Bomberman R.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Danny Cowan
Danny Cowan
Contributor
Danny’s passion for video games was ignited upon his first encounter with Nintendo’s Duck Hunt, and years later, he still…
Can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV?
nintendo new switch lite model fcc joy con drift blue

The Nintendo Switch Lite is the smaller, more affordable sibling of the standard Nintendo Switch. This makes it a great option for frugal shoppers, as it's capable of playing all the same games yet carries a much friendlier price tag. However, the Switch Lite doesn't share all the same features as the standard Switch. A big difference is that it won't fit in a traditional Switch dock. That means you'll need to pick up a third-party model if you want somewhere to store and charge your handheld while it's not in use.

But can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV while it's docked? And is it possible to play Switch Lite on a TV using an HDMI cable or other workaround? Here's everything you need to know about the device.
Can you play the Nintendo Switch Lite on a TV?

Read more
An AI company may have just leaked the Nintendo Switch 2’s name and release month
An image of the Nintendo Switch - OLED Model Mario Red Edition.

As part of the ongoing wave of AI-related news at CES 2024, Altec Lansing revealed an artificial intelligence-powered successor to GameShark called AI Shark. More interestingly, the press release regarding this software claims that the Nintendo Switch 2 will launch in September 2024.

"Formerly known as GameShark, AI Shark is set to redefine the gaming landscape with its revolutionary AI-enhanced technology," Altec Lansing explains in a press release. "The innovative gaming software is set to mark a significant leap forward in the gaming experience, bringing enhanced gameplay for beginner-level users. The official launch is planned to coincide with the Nintendo Switch 2 in September 2024."

Read more
The best co-op games on Nintendo Switch
Amazon earth day used Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo Switch is home to some of the best cooperative games on the market. Whether you’re looking for something fast-paced like Streets of Rage 4 or creative like Minecraft, there’s no shortage of incredible co-op games on Switch. However, finding the best ones can be challenging -- thanks to Switch’s gigantic library, you’ll have to wade through thousands of games before stumbling upon the best.

Below you’ll find our list of the best Switch co-op games. This includes recent releases such as Super Mario Wonder, along with games that can be played both competitively and cooperatively, such as Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Regardless of which game you pick, you’ll be treated to some of the best co-op gaming the hybrid handheld has to offer.

Read more