Nintendo proudly shared some of its sales numbers today, declaring the Switch the fastest-selling console of this hardware generation (which includes the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Wii U).
The NPD Group tracks sales in the U.S., and these new numbers compare each console in its first 21 months of sales. From its launch in March 2017 through November 2018, the Switch has sold over 8.7 million units in the U.S.
“We are thrilled to see such a strong reaction from consumers in the second holiday season for Nintendo Switch,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior VP. “We’re looking forward to delivering more excitement and smiles to our fans in the coming year and beyond.”
The NPD data also notes that Nintendo is the top-selling software publisher in the U.S. in 2018 – and that doesn’t even include Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which released earlier this month. In fact, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has already become both the fastest-selling Switch game and the fastest-selling Smash Bros. game of all time, as U.S. sales crest three million units after just 11 days.
Other best-sellers include The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (4 million sold), Super Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (5 million sold), Super Mario Odyssey (4.7 million sold), and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee (2 million combined sold).
The Nintendo eShop has also found success with a large variety of indie games and AAA titles, with sales growing over 100 percent since last year.
Nintendo’s hardware and dollar sales are at their highest point since the explosive boom of the Wii back in 2011.
News of the Switch’s runaway success isn’t surprising. Nintendo had previously declared, as of January 2018, the Switch as the fastest-selling console in U.S. history, and last month the best-selling Nintendo console in history after dominating Black Friday sales.
If you’re one of those 8.7 million with a Switch, be sure to check out our Switch Holiday Gift Guide!
