Nintendo Switch Crowns Its Era While the Switch 2 Keeps Shattering Records
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
The original Nintendo Switch has officially passed 155 million units sold to become Nintendo's best-selling console ever, while the Switch 2 continues its reign as the fastest-selling console in history.
The numbers are finally official, and they cement one of the most dominant hardware runs in gaming history. According to Nintendo's latest financial results reported by Polygon, the original Nintendo Switch has officially crossed 155.37 million units sold, surpassing the legendary Nintendo DS to become the company's best-selling console of all time. It now sits just behind the PlayStation 2 in the all-time global rankings. Backed by staggering software milestones like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe clearing 70 million copies and Animal Crossing: New Horizons defining an entire era of social gaming during the pandemic, the hybrid console proved that unifying handheld and home hardware was a masterstroke.
While the original system takes its victory lap, its successor is moving at a completely different velocity. Seven months into its lifecycle, the Switch 2 remains the fastest-selling console in history. Nintendo reported that the newer hardware shifted another 7 million units in the third quarter of 2025 alone, bringing its running total to 17.37 million. That puts it roughly 10 million units ahead of where the original Switch stood during the exact same timeframe. Software attachment is following suit, highlighted by Mario Kart World pulling in a massive 14 million sales and securing an incredible 80 percent attach rate.
Of course, looking ahead involves navigating some very real economic headwinds for players and manufacturers alike. Questions around hardware pricing, global chip shortages, and broader economic pressures still linger over the industry. Nintendo is playing it safe with its conservative fiscal year forecasts, but the sheer momentum of the ecosystem suggests consumer demand is not slowing down anytime soon. Whether the original Switch can push past the finish line to catch the PlayStation 2 remains an open question, but Nintendo's hardware dominance across generations is secure.
Tags: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo, Console Sales, Gaming Industry, Hardware
Original article: Polygon