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Switch vs 3DS – VGChartz Gap Charts – August 2018 Update

Switch vs 3DS – VGChartz Gap Charts – August 2018 Update - Sales

by William D'Angelo , posted on 02 October 2018 / 5,306 Views

The VGChartz Gap charts are updated monthly and each article focuses on a different gap chart. The charts include comparisons between the 7th generation and 8th generation platforms, as well as comparisons within the 8th generation. All sales are worldwide, unless otherwise stated.

Switch Vs. 3DS Global:

Gap change in latest month: 8,836 – 3DS

Gap change over last 12 months: 303,686 - Switch

Total Lead: 1,502,011 – Switch

Switch Total Sales: 20,058,577

3DS Total Sales: 18,556,566

August 2018 is the 18th month that the Nintendo Switch has been available for. During the latest month the gap grew in favor of the 3DS by 8,836 units when compared to the Switch during the same timeframe and by 303,686 units in favor of the Switch in the last 12 months. The Switch is currently ahead of the 3DS by 1.50 million units.

The 3DS launched in February 2011 (however, 3DS sales have been aligned to March 2011, since it only launched at the end of February in Japan), while the Nintendo Switch launched worldwide in March 2017. The Switch has sold 20.06 million units, while the 3DS sold 18.56 million units during the same timeframe.


 A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.


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13 Comments
TheBraveGallade (on 27 September 2018)

The fact that the graph is very similar is interesting...

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HylianSwordsman (on 26 September 2018)

Fascinating how both consoles launched in March and followed a similar sales trajectory. Switch seems to be destined higher, but follows a very similar path as it does so.

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Darwinianevolution (on 25 September 2018)

It will be interesting to see the differences between the consoles once they both get the Pokemon boost. Considering 8th gen pokemon is the first mainline entry on a home console (technically hybrid, but still), the differences of hardware and userbase might be a factor to pay attention to.

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CosmicSex (on 25 September 2018)

This chart tells us more about potential Switch sales than any other. In the nexst year or two we will see if the Switch can hold of the 3Ds.

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Mnementh CosmicSex (on 25 September 2018)

The 3DS had an early price-cut, and you can see it in the gap chart, the point the direction the gap goes reverses. Switch reversed the trend again, but seemingly is now on the same level. Let's see if Pokemon and Smash bring Switch into overdrive and if this holidays the Switch can win against the 3DS. If it does, the Switch probably will outsell the 3DS long term.

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Bofferbrauer2 CosmicSex (on 25 September 2018)

You can see now already that the Switch can more than just hold off the 3DS. 3DS needed, in order, a hefty pricecut, huge stocks while the Switch had supply issues and now the XL model just to more or less keep up with the Switch. Switch will crush the 3DS this holiday season as it didn't have anything close at the time to measure up to either Super Mario Party, Pokémon Let's Go or Smash Ultimate, let alone all three together

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Mnementh CosmicSex (on 26 September 2018)

Wait. At this point already released the XL model for 3DS? That early? Woah. If that's true, then Switch clearly will sell more than 3DS.

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Jorden1506 CosmicSex (on 26 September 2018)

Remember the 3DS had a massive price drop allready in the first 6 months. If the 3DS didn't have that those sales would have been much much lower

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Bofferbrauer2 CosmicSex (on 26 September 2018)

Yes, 3DS XL released this month, hence why Switch is very slightly down this month

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Dulfite RolStoppable (on 25 September 2018)

It will be ok Rol...

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