Switch vs 3DS in Japan Sales Comparison - February 2021 - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted on 05 April 2021 / 2,968 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 Japanese sales of the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS.
Switch Vs. 3DS Japan:
Gap change in latest month: 168,840 - Switch
Gap change over last 12 months: 3,481,653 - Switch
Total Lead: 566,887 - Switch
Switch Total Sales: 18,629,887
3DS Total Sales: 18,063,000
February 2021 is the 48th month that the Nintendo Switch has been available for in Japan. During the latest month, the 3DS closed the gap to the Switch by 168,840 units when you align the launches. In the last 12 months, the Switch has outsold the 3DS by 3.48 million units. The Switch is currently ahead of the 3DS by 566,887.
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 48th month for the Switch is February 2021, while for the 3DS it is January 2015. The Switch has sold 18.63 million units, while the 3DS sold 18.06 million units during the same timeframe.
The 3DS has sold 24.65 million units lifetime in Japan through February 2021. The Switch is currently 5.76 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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3DS is going to be conquered when it is all said and done, but does the Switch have enough momentum to take out the Gameboy and DS in Japan?
Yes
Probably. About 15 million to go. As long as it sells as well in the last half of its life as the first half, then it should make it. And the replacement will have to wait until 2025.
Given that 3DS is the third best selling system of all time in Japan, Switch breaking ahead of is quite something.
And as 3DS's legs aren't brilliant from this point on, Switch is probably in the aligned lead for good now.
