Nintendo Japan released a bunch of fascinating statistics recently, including that, as of December 31st 2023, the Nintendo Switch has sold 139.36 million units!

This would be an impressive number no matter the situation, but it’s especially great news given the performance of the Wii U in the previous generation. For comparisons sake, the 3DS sold 75.94 million in its lifetime and the Wii U sold 13.56.

While the 3DS and Wii U numbers are complete, it’s important to note, while obvious, that the Switch numbers are still a work in progress, so while already impressive, things are only going to get better!

The Switch is the second best selling Nintendo system ever, and ranks as third overall, as Sony’s PS2 just edges out the Nintendo DS as the all-time best seller. The Switch is currently 13 million behind the PS2.

As well as console figures, Nintendo also released a bunch of software stats, of which Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still doing exceedingly well after almost 10 years since the original release, and new releases last year such as Pikmin 4, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super Mario RPG are all selling like hot cakes.

Tears of the Kingdom did exceptionally well, already barging its way into the top 10 best selling Switch titles of all time, after less than a year on sale!

Top 10 Best Selling Switch Games:

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - 60.58M

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons - 44.79M

• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - 33.67M

• Breath of the Wild - 31.61M

• Super Mario Odyssey - 27.65M

• Pokemon Sword/Shield - 26.17M

• Pokemon Scarlet/Violet - 24.36M

• Super Mario Party - 20.34M

• Tears of the Kingdom - 20.28M

• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe - 17.20M

New Titles:

• Super Mario Bros. Wonder - 11.96M

• Pikmin 4 - 3.33M

• Super Mario RPG - 3.14M

Total sales followed by sales added to the total in Q3

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: 60.58m (3.57m)

• Animal Crossing New Horizons: 44.79m (1.41m)

• Super Smash Bros Ultimate: 33.67m (1.23m)

• Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild: 31.61m (460k)

• Super Mario Odyssey: 27.65m (700k)

• Pokémon Sword/Shield: 26.17m (150k)

• Pokémon Scarlet/Violet: 24.36m (1.13m)

• Super Mario Party: 20.34m (680k)

• Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom: 20.28m (780k)

• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe: 17.20m (500k)

New Releases + Others

• Luigi's Mansion 3: 13.98m (1.16m) Q1+Q2+Q3

• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury: 13.17m (590k)

• Nintendo Switch Sports: 12.48m (1.71m)

• Mario Party Superstars: 12.31m (870k)

• Super Mario Bros. Wonder: 11.96m New

• Splatoon 3: 11.71m (1.04m) Q1+Q2+Q3

• Pikmin 4: 3.33m (720k)

• Super Mario RPG: 3.14m New

Switch sales peaked in 2021, and have been on a slow decline since, which is to be expected for a console of its age.

The longevity of the Switch will depend on Nintendo’s tactics in the coming year. Solid new game releases and a price-cut will no doubt extend the life of the Switch, but if Nintendo opts to release the Switch successor sooner rather than later and move their core software output to the new machine, we could see a quick sales decline.

Either way, even if sales end right now, the Switch will go down in history as one of the most successful Nintendo systems of all time.