How Does the Switch 2 Rank Against the Best-Selling Consoles of All Time?

The Nintendo Switch 2 has arrived, marking a major moment in gaming history. As the follow-up to one of the best-selling consoles of all time, it enters a competitive landscape shaped by decades of innovation. With upgraded hardware, new social features and strong early sales, the Switch 2 aims to exceed expectations. But matching or surpassing the industry’s top-selling consoles will require more than hype. 

The Long-Awaited Upgrade

The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to be released on June 5, with waiting lists and rapid sellouts already in place. Eight years is a little long for a company to release a new gaming system, especially by Nintendo standards. However, the wait is over — with the Nintendo Switch 2 finally making its debut, longtime fans, analysts and competitors are all paying close attention. Nintendo isn’t merely re-entering the console competition — it aims to transform it.

The original Nintendo Switch was more than a hit — it was a revolution. By blending home and portable gaming into one slick device, it smashed records and expectations. So the real question now is, can the Switch 2 match that momentum? Can it climb the ranks of the best-selling consoles of all time or even surpass its predecessor in Nintendo Switch sales?

Is Switch 2 a worthy contender? It’s about analyzing if it stacks up against the best-selling video game consoles the industry has ever seen.

What’s New With the Nintendo Switch 2?

To understand its potential, it’s important to look under the hood. The Nintendo Switch 2 offers updated specs — and reimagines how you interact with your games.

That starts with the C Button — a small control located just below the right joystick. This button activates swift in-game actions and brings up quick menus. Just tap it and you can share your screen, start a live GameChat with as many as 11 friends. Or you can even watch their screen in a picture-in-picture mode while continuing to play your own game. It’s as if Nintendo has finally embraced the social features that gamers have been wanting.

Then there’s the upgraded OLED+ display, refined Joy-Con feedback, improved battery life and a GPU that can finally handle games in 4K when docked. This means buttery smooth performance, whether you’re deep into Tears of the Kingdom or catching your breath in Mario Kart 9. Nintendo took the lessons from the original Switch and leveled up in nearly every way. But will all of this be enough to beat the best-selling consoles ever?

What Are the Best-selling Consoles of All Time?

Before the Switch 2 can climb the mountain, you need to know who’s already sitting at the top. These are the best-selling video game consoles by lifetime units sold — approximate:

1. PlayStation 2 – 160 million units
2. Nintendo Switch – 152 million units
3. PlayStation 4 – 117 million units
4. PlayStation — 102.4 million units
5. Wii – 101.6 million units
6. PlayStation 3 — 87.4 million units
7. Xbox 360 – 85.8 million units
8. PlayStation 3 – 77 million units

Considering this, the original Nintendo Switch stands out as one of the most beloved consoles ever created. It broke into the top three, overtaking titans like the Wii and the PlayStation 4. And here’s where it gets interesting — if the Switch 2 continues the hybrid format and taps into Nintendo’s momentum, it might just keep the crown in-house.

The Power of Backward Compatibility

One major win for the Switch 2 is full backward compatibility, so gamers can keep their current libraries. That means you keep playing Smash, Zelda, Animal Crossing and all your digital downloads — day one. This is massive. Historically, a lack of backward compatibility has hurt console launches. 

This move guarantees that Switch 2 enters homes faster and more frictionlessly. It builds off the already massive Nintendo Switch sales, which surpassed 139 million units globally. If even half of those users upgrade, it would be a massive start for the Switch 2 — especially if the price point remains accessible.

How Switch 2 Sales Are Tracking So Far

Though it’s still early, the Switch 2 sales have reportedly cleared 5 million units in just the first month — making it Nintendo’s fastest-selling console ever. For comparison, the original Switch sold around 2.7 million in its first month back in 2017. These figures suggest a rocket-fueled start.

Much of that can be attributed to pent-up demand. People have waited nearly a decade for a true successor. And since the original Switch kept selling steadily even into its seventh year, there’s no question Nintendo has a wide, loyal audience ready to upgrade. If this pace keeps up, the Switch 2 could be on track to challenge the best-selling gaming systems before the end of its life cycle.

How Does the Switch 2 Rank Against the Best-Selling Consoles of All Time?

The hybrid design remains unparalleled in terms of convenience. It’s the sole console that offers this kind of effortless transition between portable and docked gaming. With features like local multiplayer, motion controls and the newly added GameChat, it’s clear that this device doesn’t have to be the most powerful to earn the title of most loved.

The original Switch achieved its status as one of the best-selling consoles of all time by overpowering and outsmarting its rivals. The Switch 2 appears ready to replicate that success. 

Is the Market Ready for Another Nintendo Surge?

Nintendo has always danced to its own beat. But even quirky, innovative companies need to time their moves wisely. And right now, market conditions are in Nintendo’s favor.

The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are both four years in. Their user bases are growing, but neither has completely dominated. Meanwhile, the gaming community is more global, more connected and more nostalgic than ever. Nintendo’s brand recognition and beloved IPs — Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Pokémon — are in a league of their own.

Will Switch 2 Break Records?

That’s the golden question The Switch 2 sales are strong, but the race has just begun. Can it eventually surpass the PS2’s 158 million?

That depends on longevity. If Nintendo continues to support the Switch 2 for seven to eight years, rolls out mid-cycle upgrades, keeps backwards compatibility intact and leans on a consistent stream of game releases, then yes — this console has the bones to do it.

Another factor? Dual-device homes. Many Switch users own multiple systems. Families buy separate consoles for siblings. Gamers upgrade to OLED or special editions. If that trend continues, the Switch 2 could reach the finish line even faster.

Switch 2 Among the Best-Selling Consoles: A Legacy in the Making

The Switch 2 is off to a record-breaking start. It’s backward compatible, adds key hardware like the C Button and launches with a strong game lineup. Rather than chase realism or frame rates, Nintendo focuses on fun, flexibility and connection — its most powerful strategy yet.