Sales of the Nintendo Switch have been higher than those of PS5 in Japan since the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2.
Sales data enthusiast pierre485_ took to Twitter/X to share that the Nintendo Switch has sold over 845.000 units since Nintendo Switch 2 released in Japan, while the PS5 sold 545.000 units during the same time frame. As such, it looks like the previous-gen Nintendo console continues to sell reasonably well in the region.
Lackluster PS5 sales in Japan have been linked to Sony Interactive Entertainment’s alleged indifference to the PlayStation market shrinking in the region. A recent report from Japanese media outlet TV Tokyo claimed that prior leadership within the company had developed the sentiment that “it is acceptable if the PlayStation market in Japan continues to shrink.” The release of a cheaper Japan-only PS5 emerged from a renewed desire from the company to re-establish footing in its home market. The aggressive price cut indicated that the console would be sold at a loss.
Nintendo’s recent sales figures indicate strong momentum for both its last and current-generation hardware, with the Nintendo Switch 2 surpassing 17.37 million units sold worldwide and the original Nintendo Switch reaching 155.37 million units. The console maker shipped an additional 7.01 million Nintendo Switch 2 units during the last quarter, bringing total shipments to more than 17.37 million units within seven months of launch. This represents the best 3rd quarter for any Nintendo system, surpassing Wii’s 3.43m units. The company is currently forecasting 19 million Switch 2 units shipped by March 2026, which would require an additional 1.63 million units.
At the same time, the original Nintendo Switch has continued to post steady sales, with total lifetime units sold now at 155.37 million. The system moved 1.36 million units in the last quarter alone. With this total, the Nintendo Switch has surpassed the Nintendo DS, which previously stood at 154.02 million units, becoming the best-selling hardware in Nintendo’s history.
