People like Nintendo. People like the Nintendo Switch. People like the Nintendo Switch, a lot apparently. That’s really all there is to it, as evidenced by the fact that Nintendo has broken a world record with the Switch now that it has officially become the fastest-selling video game console of all time in the United States. A whopping 4.8 million units of Switch hardware were sold in just ten months, which blows the previous record of four million (set by Nintendo’s Wii) out of the proverbial waters.
Though the system was selling great from the start, it looks like the tipping point was the holiday season. It may have been cold outside this Christmas for many, but the Christmas season was definitely a piping hot time for Switch sales. It didn’t hurt that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey are both available on the Switch and both were serious contenders for the 2017 Game of the Year award. It also didn’t hurt that newer properties like Splatoon 2 and ARMS were there to supplement the bigger blockbuster game releases, nor did it hurt that all of them were playable on the go due to the Switch’s fantastic hybrid handheld elements.
Beyond the United States, the Switch is also selling extremely well. Its total sales as of December 12 were 10 million units, just four million shy of Nintendo’s predicted year-long total, which they seem more than on track to toppling. Already the Switch has utterly blown away the Wii U in terms of popularity, and it’s good to see Nintendo back on the right path. Nintendo of America’s beloved president Reggie Fils-Aime is certainly excited, saying, “Now that many more people have received Nintendo Switch systems for the holidays, we look forward to bringing them fun new surprises in 2018 and beyond.”
With upcoming titles like Yoshi and more on the way, it would seem that his words are ringing true indeed, especially if they can meet or exceed the standards set thus far.
