Nintendo is a company that has distanced itself from the console war for many years. Instead of trying to compete by making increasingly powerful consoles and releasing them one after another, the Japanese company does its own thing, catering to its own audience, and it’s doing well. If we look at the numbers they have shared about their financial performance in 2023, it’s clear.
The most striking thing is the sales of the console itself. Nintendo Switch continues to sell, even at what seems to be the end of its life cycle. Reaching 139.36 million units sold as of December 31, 2023, this places it as the third best-selling console in history. Only surpassed by Nintendo DS, which is at 154 million units, and the PlayStation 2, at 155 million units.
When it comes to games, the numbers don’t hold many more secrets. The best-selling game during the last quarter of December 2023 was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, selling 3.57 million copies, followed by Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with 1.41 million, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with 1.23 million. If we talk about the total number of copies sold historically, it’s not surprising either that these three games are the best-selling ones: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with 60.58 million copies, Animal Crossing: New Horizons with 44.79 million, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with 33.67 million. Although closely followed by Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, with 31.61 million.
Due to this, Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, has emphasized that throughout 2024 they will focus on Nintendo Switch as their main business. He has also refused to talk about Nintendo’s next-generation console, once again, despite the rumors continuing to pile up. Giving more and more credibility to the information that its release is imminent.
In fact, Furukawa himself has dropped a hint of when we might know more. Although this time it was about presenting the numbers for 2023 and talking about the plans for 2024, that doesn’t mean they’re not already thinking about 2025. About the company’s plans for 2025, they ask us to wait until the next shareholders’ meeting, which will take place in May. This would fit well with the possible announcement of that hypothetical Nintendo Switch 2, as has been commented by insiders. But until May, or until Nintendo announces it, this is nothing more than speculation. And the only thing that is certain is that the Switch continues to be a cash cow that Nintendo does not want to kill prematurely.
