Switch vs 3DS in Japan – VGChartz Gap Charts – April 2020 - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted on 26 May 2020 / 2,886 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.
This monthly series compares the aligned Japanese sales of the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS.
Switch Vs. 3DS Japan:
Gap change in latest month: 114,766 - Switch
Gap change over last 12 months: 891,717 – Switch
Total Lead: 2,202,104 – 3DS
Switch Total Sales: 13,236,818
3DS Total Sales: 15,440,922
April 2020 is the 38th month that the Nintendo Switch has been available for in Japan. During the latest month, the Switch closed the gap to the 3DS by 114,766 units. In the last 12 months, the Switch has outsold the 3DS by 891,717 units. The 3DS is currently ahead of the Switch by 2.20 million units.
The 3DS launched in February 2011 in Japan and the Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017. This does mean the normal holiday periods and the Japanese Golden Week holiday for the two consoles are off by one month.
The 38th month for the Switch is April 2020, while for the 3DS it is March 2014. The Switch has sold 13.24 million units, while the 3DS sold 15.44 million units during the same timeframe.
The 3DS has sold 24.60 million units lifetime in Japan through April 2020. The Switch is currently 9.16 million units behind the lifetime sales of the 3DS.
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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This is the part where the 3DS began dropping off fairly quickly (38% from 2013 to 2014 and another 32% in 2015). Both the 3DS and Switch had second models by this point, but unlike the 3DS, the Switch still hasn't had a true price cut.
That said, I think the 3DS will stay ahead for a while longer. 2014 had Yokai Watch at its peak, Pokemon remakes, Monster Hunter, and Super Smash Bros. Even as Nintendo announces new Switch games for the rest of 2020, I doubt they'll be able to match that, though Animal Crossing's legs will help.
Nintendo needs at least one solid evergreen title for late 2020 to keep the Switch more stable than the 3DS was back in the day. And unlike last generation, third parties don't seem willing to deliver a Monster Hunter or Yokai Watch anytime soon.
Switch should gain ground, at least in the upcoming months...
the 3DS's last really big holiday is past, and switch has been inpressivley been keeping up after the initial seperation via 3ds price drop. now it just needs to catch up, which it will.
