Switch 2 sales ahead of PS4 in U.S., dismissing fears that console is losing momentum
The Switch 2 sold at a prolific rate during its first 30 days, with 1.6 million units moving in June. That eclipsed the record set by the PS4 in November 2013. Still, recently, some European data suggested that the handheld was not attracting as many buyers. As it turns out, those concerns may be unwarranted, at least in the United States.
Mat Piscatella shared new Circana numbers on Bluesky. Nintendo’s console accumulated 2.4 million in sales during its initial three months. By the end of July, it reached the 2 million benchmark, before adding another .4 million in August.
While Switch 2 sales have been on a downward trend, the PS4 experienced a similar dropoff. There was incredible anticipation leading up to its release, and Nintendo stockpiled a large supply. Sony’s gaming system finished at 2.2 million sales by the end of January 2014, which is five percent less than the Switch 2. Nintendo’s latest hybrid console is also 77% ahead of the original Switch over the same time period.
How console sales can differ by region
Many gamers were surprised when learning that during July-September, the PS5 had overtaken its Nintendo rival in Spain. Switch 2 games also suffered from lackluster performance, with third-party releases struggling. Avoiding contentious Game-Key Cards, first-party Nintendo games have dominated in Spain and the U.S.. Nevertheless, hardware sales remain relatively brisk.
Switch 2 sales may also benefit from the price increases of its competitors. When the handheld launched, some buyers balked at its $450 non-bundle asking price. However, since then, the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S have all become more expensive. Even the first-generation Switch consoles have higher MSRPs, making the Switch 2 price seem more affordable.
Nintendo’s hybrid gaming system will likely experience another surge in popularity this holiday season. Switch 2 games like Pokémon Legends: Z to A, Kirby Air Riders, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond are debuting during the peak retail months.
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