Since launching in the United States in March 2017, the Nintendo Switch has sold over 4.8 million units. This lofty sales figure means that in just 10 months the new console has become the fastest-selling console ever in the U.S. The previous record holder was the Nintendo Wii, which sold four million units in the same timeframe.
In a press release, Nintendo of America president and COO Reggie Fils-Aime said “fans across the country have experienced the joy of playing their favorite games at home or on the go.” But it isn’t just the portability factor that has got fans giddy for the Switch, and Nintendo also says that the console’s success is the result of a stellar lineup of games.
Nintendo notes that over 60% of players own Super Mario Odyssey, the Switch exclusive that was released last October. Meanwhile, over 55% of Switch owners have The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The fact that Breath of the Wild is one of the most well-reviewed games of all time will certainly have helped those Switch sales figures.
The Switch platform-holder isn’t resting on its laurels, though. Fils-Aime also teases “fun new surprises in 2018 and beyond.” Some of these surprises will likely be revealed during the next Nintendo Direct event, which is rumored to take place on January 11.
Nintendo has big plans for the console’s future. It previously revealed that it wants to sell 20 million units in the next fiscal year. The Nintendo Switch has seen white-hot success so far; the record-breaking announcement makes that clear. However, shifting that many consoles is not going to be easy and Nintendo will have to work hard to keep up this pace. That work will include releasing critically acclaimed titles like Odyssey and Breath of the Wild, so watch this space.
