According to the latest numbers from Nintendo, the Switch 1 handheld / console hybrid has sold 153.1M units worldwide as of August 2025, cementing its place as the second best-selling video game console of all time. Only Sony’s PlayStation 2, with a legendary 160 million lifetime sales, remains ahead—along with Nintendo’s own DS, which reached 154.02 million units as of 2025. Despite its massive success, the Switch may never claim the crown.
Nintendo Switch 1 released back in 2017 and revived Nintendo in the gaming industry after the commercial failure of Wii U. The hybrid design was an instant hit, steady first-party support, and widespread appeal helped it outpace both Wii and DS in no time.
For a long time Switch 2 remained a sales juggernaut, especially during the 2020 pandemic. But time eventually catches up to all of us. In FY Q1 2026, Switch 1 managed 980K units (53% decline YoY). And since the launch of Switch 2 the numbers are dropping faster with only 108K units sold in June 2025.
At 153.1 million units, Switch 1 is roughly 6.9 million units short of beating the PS2 and less than 1 million units behind the DS. On paper, that sounds achievable. But current trends tell a different story. With quarterly sales dropping hard and Switch 2 rapidly absorbing demand, it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that Switch 1 can ever dethrone the PS2.
But it has a real shot if Nintendo keeps the production going. Historically, systems stay alive 2 to 5 years post-successor, depending on performance. Here’s how long some major systems lasted after their replacements:
- Wii U: Discontinued same year as Switch launched (2017)
- Wii: 5 years (2012–2017)
- DS: 5 years (2011–2016)
- 3DS: 3 years (2017–2020)
- GameCube: 1 year (2006–2007)
Considering Switch 1’s the massive install base and strong brand, it may linger around until 2027, but likely not much longer. And even if it does, to hit 160 million, it would need to sell around 250K to 300K units every quarter for the next 3-4 years. But number are already falling off a cliff with only 108K units sold in June 2025.
What Will It Take To Beat PS2?
Let’s assume Nintendo keeps the handheld in production for the next 3-5 years. Here’s what needs to happen:
| Scenario | Sales Rate (per quarter) | Time to Catch PS2 (~160M) |
|---|---|---|
| Optimistic | 0.8 million | ~9 quarters (≈ 2.25 years) |
| Realistic | 0.5 million | ~14 quarters (≈ 3.5 years) |
| Pessimistic | 0.25 million | ~28 quarters (≈ 7 years) |
While Switch 1 is unlikely to beat PS2 lifetime sales, I can say with certainty that it is on track to become Nintendo’s best-selling product, beating the DS.
