Nintendo Switch Sales Surpass PlayStation 2 in the United States
Solomon Thompson / 5 hours ago
In recent months, gamers have been closely monitoring Nintendo Switch sales as the console edges closer to becoming the best-selling gaming device in history. With its impressive performance, the Switch is now rivaling industry giants like the Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2. New data has further cemented its position, signaling a potential shift in the console hierarchy.
Switch Overtakes PS2 in U.S. Sales
According to the November 2024 video game sales report by Circana (thanks IGN), the Nintendo Switch has surpassed the PlayStation 2 in total sales within the United States, reaching an astounding 46.6 million units. This milestone secures the Switch as the second best-selling gaming hardware in U.S. history, trailing only behind the Nintendo DS. However, it still has a significant gap to close before catching up to the DS by the end of its lifecycle.
Despite this achievement, Switch sales are showing signs of slowing. In November, it was the second best-selling console, following the PS5 in both unit sales and revenue, while the Xbox Series claimed third place. Overall hardware spending remained steady, thanks to a 15% growth in PlayStation sales, which offset year-over-year declines of 29% for Xbox and 3% for the Switch.
Sony’s Gains with the PS5 Pro
Sony experienced a notable surge in sales, largely driven by the release of the PS5 Pro. This new version accounted for 19% of all PlayStation units sold and contributed 28% of the console’s revenue during November. Although dollar sales for the PS5 Pro outpaced the PS4 Pro by 50% during its launch month, unit sales were 12% lower—unsurprising given the PS5 Pro’s $699 price tag compared to the PS4 Pro’s $399.
In contrast, overall gaming spending decreased by 7% year-over-year to $5.8 billion, with software spending down 9% to $4.5 billion. These declines are attributed to the October release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 this year, compared to Modern Warfare 3’s November release in 2023, which skews year-over-year comparisons.
While the Switch has solidified its dominance in the U.S., it still faces challenges on the global stage. Recent data from PlayStation’s official anniversary page indicated a surprising uptick in PS2 sales worldwide, marking an unprecedented moment in its history. For the Switch, the race to global supremacy remains an ongoing battle.
