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Switch vs DS Sales Comparison - January 2021

Switch vs DS Sales Comparison - January 2021 - Sales

by William D'Angelo , posted on 22 February 2021 / 3,799 Views

The VGChartz sales comparison series of articles are updated monthly and each one focuses on a different sales comparison using our estimated video game hardware figures. The charts include comparisons between the 7th generation and 8th generation platforms, as well as comparisons within the 8th generation. There are articles based on our worldwide estimates, as well as the US, Europe, and Japan.

This monthly series compares the aligned worldwide sales of the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo DS.

Switch vs DS Sales Comparison - January 2021

Switch vs DS Sales Comparison - January 2021

Switch vs DS Sales Comparison - January 2021

Switch Vs. DS Global:

Gap change in latest month: 191,638 - DS

Gap change over last 12 months: 86,672 - Switch

Total Lead: 1,376,761 - DS

Switch Total Sales: 78,631,440

DS Total Sales: 80,008,201

January 2021 is the 47th month that the Nintendo Switch has been available for. During the latest month, the gap grew in favor of the DS by 191,638 units when compared to the Switch during the same timeframe. In the last 12 months, the Switch has caught up to the DS by 86,672 units. The DS is ahead of the Switch by 1.38 million units.

The DS launched in November 2004 in North America, December 2004 in Japan, and March 2005 in Europe, while the Nintendo Switch launched worldwide in March 2017. Therefore, the holiday periods for the two consoles do not lineup, which is why there are big increases and decreases.

The 47th month on sale for the Nintendo Switch is January 2021, while for the DS it is September 2008. The Switch has sold 78.63 million units, while the DS sold 80.01 million units during the same timeframe.

The Nintendo DS sold 154.02 million units lifetime. The Nintendo Switch is currently 75.39 million units behind the lifetime sales of the DS.


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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9 Comments
Amnesia (on 22 February 2021)

It is going to be difficult. But they still have a major boost by cutting the price just when the sales of the switch start to slow down.

  • +6
Kristof81 (on 22 February 2021)

So close. DS still has three 7M+ Decembers ahead of it.

  • +5
SvenTheTurkey Kristof81 (on 22 February 2021)

Yeah. But the upcoming holiday season will be the last monstrous one for ds. It starts in September or October. :)

We'll see what happens with price cuts and revisions. But the switch is definitely hanging in there.

  • +4
Real (on 23 February 2021)

Hope switch gets very close to DS before it's final time

  • +1
ireadtabloids (on 22 February 2021)

DS starts to say good bye as it prepares to rocket away.
Switch still doing awesome numbers though. Good to see Nintendo Switch being at least comparable to their biggest success..

  • +1
firebush03 ireadtabloids (on 12 November 2023)

it’s getting down to the wire…

  • 0
ireadtabloids firebush03 (on 12 November 2023)

I can’t see Switch making up that last two million needed to overtake, but the fact they are still a realistic chance of making 150 million is astounding. Plus software sales on Switch have been incredible.
With more strong sales of Mario games still to come.

  • 0
firebush03 ireadtabloids (on 12 November 2023)

I guess only time will tell. It would be odd if the Switch did completely drop off the remainder of the fiscal year? They’ve already moved 2.28mil in Japan alone during Q1&2, I could easily say another two mil come from the Holiday season on top of a decent Q4.

  • 0
ireadtabloids firebush03 (on 12 November 2023)

The momentum is impressive. The only reason I think it is less likely to overtake the DS is because once we pass Christmas and golden week the successor to the Switch looms large on the horizon. Will be happy to be wrong.

  • 0