Nintendo Supply
  • LATEST
  • SECTIONS
    News
    Rumors
    Retro
    Reviews
  • FRANCHISES
    Mario
    Metroid
    Pikmin
    Pokémon
    Zelda
  • DEALS
2023 NintendoSupply LLC. All rights reserved. This site is not affiliated with Nintendo.Privacy PolicyCookie PolicyContact UsAbout UsAdvertising Policy
Nintendo Supply
  • LATEST
  • CATEGORIES
    • News
      News
    • Rumors
      Rumors
    • Retro
      Retro
    • Reviews
      Reviews
    SECTIONS
  • FRANCHISES
    • Mario
      Mario
    • Metroid
      Metroid
    • Pikmin
      Pikmin
    • Pokémon
      Pokémon
    • Zelda
      Zelda
    FRANCHISES
  • DEALS

Nintendo Switch Sales Surpass the Wii's Previous Record in the U.S.

Nintendo Switch Sales Surpass the Wii's Previous Record in the U.S.
By Don Engel on August 29, 2023
Updated:September 28, 2023
Share:

Ah, the Nintendo Switch. If you're anything like us, you've probably lost countless hours (or days) to its charms. And guess what? A ton of people have done just that. In a surprising turn of events, the Switch has breezed past a titan in Nintendo’s history: the Nintendo Wii, in terms of U.S. lifetime sales. Let's dive in.

Warp Pipe Weekly

A weekly recap of all things Nintendo

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. You can opt out at any time.

Follow us on social media!
FacebookInstagramTwitterTikTok
Sign up for the Warp Pipe Weekly Newsleter
Get all of your Nintendo News

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. You can opt out at any time.

Nintendo Switch Passes Nintendo Wii Sales in United States

Firstly, let’s offer up a tip of the joystick to the Nintendo Wii. An icon in its own right, the Wii tapped into a new, vast audience with its innovative "blue ocean strategy". Its motion controls won over folks who'd never picked up a joystick, let alone swung a digital tennis racket. Heck, even Grandma was bowling strikes from the comfort of her living room. With a whopping 100 million units sold globally, it’s a console for the history books.

Yet, here comes the Switch, rolling up its sleeves and saying, “Hold my Joy-Con.”

According to recent figures from Circana (formerly known as NPD; courtesy of GamesIndustry), the Nintendo Switch managed to race past the Wii's total U.S. sales by July 2023. Not only that, but the Switch is nipping at the heels of the Xbox 360, lagging behind by less than a million units, and is setting its sights on the PS2, which it trails by fewer than five million.

Surge in Nintendo Switch Sales

Now, some of you might be asking, "Why such a surge in sales now, six years after its release?"

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Drives Console Sales

Well, there's a hero (and a kingdom) to thank for that. “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” managed to captivate over 18 million people by the end of June 2023. That's... a lot of adventurous gamers wielding the Master Sword. The game's massive success is undoubtedly a significant push behind the Switch’s robust sales figures this year.

Nintendo's Supply Chain Problems are a Thing of the Past

Of course, availability plays a crucial role too. The supply of Nintendo's hybrid platform, along with other consoles, has thankfully become more consistent. Those torturous months of seeing “Out of Stock” everywhere? Hopefully, they’re behind us.

Nintendo Switch Comparison to PlayStation and Xbox Sales

Drawing a parallel, the PlayStation camp has some figures of its own to boast. The PS5 is doing some heavy lifting, outpacing the PS4's sales by 5% and leaving the PS3 in its dust with an 87% higher sales record. As for the Xbox Series X|S, they're running 6% ahead of the Xbox 360 but are playing catch-up with the Xbox One, trailing by 10%.

Here's a number to wrap your head around: globally, the Nintendo Switch has sold over 129.5 million units. Breaking it down regionally, 49 million of those units found homes in the Americas. It’s pretty wild to think that in just its first six years, the Switch has achieved more than the Wii did in its entire first decade on the market.

Conclusion

So, fellow gamers, next time you dock your Switch or click those Joy-Cons into place, take a moment to appreciate this nifty piece of hardware. It's not just a console; it's a record-breaker.

Follow Us on Social Media!

Interested in other Nintendo news?

Follow our social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!

  • News
  • Nintendo Switch
  • Wii
  • Zelda
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase, Nintendo Supply may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.

Warp Pipe Weekly

A weekly recap of all things Nintendo

By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. You can opt out at any time.

Follow us on social media!
FacebookInstagramTwitterTikTok
Spotlight
WWE 24 Tops This Week’s UK Software Sales Chart Update for Early March 2024
Top Nintendo Titles Go Head-to-Head at BAFTA Games Awards 2024
Top Five Nintendo Soundtracks That Shaped Our Worlds
Unveiling Nintendo's Iconic Trio Beyond Mario's Shadow

Related Articles

WWE 24 Tops This Week’s UK Software Sales Chart Update for Early March 2024

WWE 24 Tops This Week’s UK Software Sales Chart Update for Early March 2024

The Weekly UK Sales Chart Top-40 list for week ending March 9, 2024 has WWE 2K24 taking the first place over Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on PlayStation.
  • Mario
By Alex Himlin
on March 11, 2024
Top Nintendo Titles Go Head-to-Head at BAFTA Games Awards 2024

Top Nintendo Titles Go Head-to-Head at BAFTA Games Awards 2024

BAFTA Game Awards 2024: Zelda Tears of the Kingdom & Mario Wonder lead nominations in a tough field including Baldur's Gate 3 & Spider-Man 2. Event on Apr 11.
  • Mario
By Jeremy Biagiotti
on March 7, 2024
Top Five Nintendo Soundtracks That Shaped Our Worlds

Top Five Nintendo Soundtracks That Shaped Our Worlds

Music in video games acts as an unseen character, setting the tone, enhancing the atmosphere, and enriching a player's emotional journey through digital worlds
  • Metroid
By Sabrina Freifeld
on March 7, 2024
Unveiling Nintendo's Iconic Trio Beyond Mario's Shadow

Unveiling Nintendo's Iconic Trio Beyond Mario's Shadow

While the Mario franchise is Nintendo's most recognizable IP, there have been other notable characters to the company. Here are our top 3 most influential.
  • Mario
By Ann Drabick
on March 5, 2024
Best Crossovers on Nintendo Switch: A Fusion of Worlds

Best Crossovers on Nintendo Switch: A Fusion of Worlds

Uncover the best crossover experiences on Nintendo Switch, where beloved characters from various franchises unite for unforgettable adventures in our guide.
  • Mario
By Alex Himlin
on March 4, 2024
2023 NintendoSupply LLC. All rights reserved. This site is not affiliated with Nintendo.Privacy PolicyCookie PolicyContact UsAbout UsAdvertising Policy