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The Nintendo Switch Surpasses the Wii in Lifetime Sales in the U.S.
The Nintendo Switch, the hybrid handheld console platform, has achieved a significant milestone in its sixth year on the market. Recent data from Circana, formerly known as NPD, reveals that the Switch has surpassed the lifetime sales of the iconic Wii console in the United States.
The success of the Nintendo Switch in the U.S. video game industry is evident in the strong growth of hardware sales over the past year. According to Circana, not only did the Switch exceed the total U.S. sales of the Wii in July 2023, but it is also closing in on other popular previous-generation consoles. It currently trails the Xbox 360 by less than a million units and the PS2 by fewer than five million units.
Surpassing the Nintendo Wii’s sales is no small feat, considering that it is one of the most successful consoles of all time, with over 100 million units sold worldwide. The Wii’s popularity can be attributed to Nintendo’s “blue ocean strategy,” which attracted players who didn’t identify as traditional gamers with its innovative motion controls.
One of the contributing factors to the Switch’s strong performance this year is the success of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This highly acclaimed game has sold over 18 million units by the end of June 2023, driving increased console sales. Additionally, the availability of Nintendo’s hybrid platform and other consoles has improved, further boosting the Switch’s sales.
Comparing the lifetime sales of the latest console generation, the PS5 has sold 5% more units than its predecessor, the PS4, and an impressive 87% more than the PS3. On the other hand, Xbox Series X|S sales are 6% ahead of the Xbox 360 but falling 10% behind the Xbox One.
While Circana did not provide an exact number of Switch hardware sold in the U.S., Nintendo reported global sales of over 129.5 million units, with 49 million sold in the Americas. It’s astonishing to see that the Switch has outsold the Wii in its first six years, surpassing the Wii’s sales in its entire first decade on the market.
With the Nintendo Switch’s continued success and its ability to surpass the Wii’s lifetime sales in the U.S., it’s clear that Nintendo’s hybrid console has become a favorite among gamers worldwide.
About the Author
Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. With a deep passion for gaming, she proudly displays her love for Sonic the Hedgehog. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.
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