Switch vs 3DS in Japan Sales Comparison - December 2021 - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted on 04 February 2022 / 4,238 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 PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, as well as with older platforms. 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.
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.
Switch Vs. 3DS Japan:
Gap change in latest month: 744,197 - Switch
Gap change over last 12 months: 3,251,017 - Switch
Total Lead: 3,784,974 - Switch
Switch Total Sales: 23,189,574
3DS Total Sales: 19,404,600
December 2021 is the 58th month that the Nintendo Switch has been available for in Japan. During the latest month, the Switch outsold the 3DS by 744,197 units when you align the launches. In the last 12 months, the Switch has outsold the 3DS by 3.25 million units. The Switch is currently ahead of the 3DS by 3.78 million units.
The 58th month for the Switch is December 2021, while for the 3DS it is November 2015. The Switch has sold 23.19 million units, while the 3DS sold 19.40 million units during the same timeframe. The 3DS did not reach current Switch sales until month 79.
The 3DS has sold 24.67 million units lifetime in Japan. The Switch is currently 1.48 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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Good god Switch looks like it is still going just straight vertical even after almost 5 years. I think Switch is gonna end up right around DS in Japan, possibly beating it by a little.
Switch should outsell 3DS around June this year.
So 3DS is basically done at this point too. It has one holiday left and that looks kinda crappy, after that the 3DS curve is basically flat. Switch should have no problem beating that. Probably before the year is over.
I tend to be conservative, but yes, you might be right.
The 3DS was a beast in Japan, but it can't compare to the Switch.
Switch will easily pass the 3DS. Game boy and DS are safe!
I think he means safe to assume it will pass them, too. It's only 10 million away or something, right? That's like 2 years of sales when the switch has about 3 years before getting replaced.
