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Switch vs 3DS in Japan Sales Comparison - March 2022

Switch vs 3DS in Japan Sales Comparison - March 2022 - Sales

by William D'Angelo , posted on 29 April 2022 / 4,307 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 in Japan Sales Comparison - March 2022

Switch vs 3DS in Japan Sales Comparison - March 2022

Switch Vs. 3DS Japan:

Gap change in latest month: 339,020 - Switch

Gap change over last 12 months: 3,022,638 - Switch

Total Lead: 3,953,943 - Switch

Switch Total Sales: 24,420,284

3DS Total Sales: 20,466,341

March 2022 is the 61st month that the Nintendo Switch has been available for in Japan. During the latest month, the Switch outsold the 3DS by 339,020 units when you align the launches. In the last 12 months, the Switch has outsold the 3DS by 3.02 million units. The Switch is currently ahead of the 3DS by 3.95 million units.

The 61st month for the Switch is March 2022, while for the 3DS it is February 2016. The Switch has sold 24.42 million units, while the 3DS sold 20.47 million units during the same timeframe. The 3DS did not reach current Switch sales until month 96.

The 3DS has sold 24.67 million units lifetime in Japan. The Switch is currently 0.25 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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6 Comments
darthv72 (on 06 May 2022)

After it passes the 3ds, it still has the GB (32m) and the DS (33m) to contend with. Can the Switch do it...?

  • +7
eddy7eddy darthv72 (on 06 May 2022)

It's gonna be over 27m this year, so I can see it happen.

  • +7
Amnesia darthv72 (on 07 May 2022)

The deceleration of the sales would need to be very brutal not not reach 32 and 33.

  • +2
Comment was deleted...
farlaff (on 11 May 2022)

? Another bites the dust; and another gone, another gone, another one bites the dust... ?

  • 0
Eagle367 (on 09 May 2022)

So switch is on pace to be the best selling console in Japan?

  • 0