Switch vs DS Sales Comparison - August 2024 - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted on 18 October 2024 / 7,106 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 worldwide sales of the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo DS.
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.
Switch Vs. DS Global:
Gap change in latest month: 475,814 - Switch
Gap change over last 12 months: 6,557,018 - Switch
Total Lead: 7,969,708 - DS
Switch Total Sales: 142,694,476
DS Total Sales: 150,664,184
August 2024 is the 90th month that the Nintendo Switch has been available for. During the latest month, the gap grew in favor of the Switch by 0.48 million units when compared to the DS during the same timeframe.
In the last 12 months, the Switch has outsold the DS by 6.56 million units. The DS is ahead of the Switch by 7.97 million units.
The 90th month on sale for the Nintendo Switch is August 2024, while for the DS it is April 2012. The Switch has sold 142.69 million units, while the DS sold 150.66 million units during the same timeframe.
The Nintendo DS sold 154.02 million units lifetime. The Nintendo Switch is currently 11.33 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 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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I feel like it's all but guaranteed to pass DS
NSW should be nearly caught up (relative to lined-up-launch) by January 2025. Once it's ahead, I don't see it dropping back below.
Also worth noting: Taiwan is a major exporter of chips used in electronics like Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. With a possible trade and/or military war on the horizon, it is reasonable to ask whether NSW can stay afloat. Japanese electonic companies tend to stockpile these chips, so I believe NSW should be fine...though Sony also stockpiled chips, and PS4 completely cratered in 2020 due to the COVID-19 lockdown and the chip shortage.
Things will start to get more interesting from now on. September will haver stronger sales numbers for the Switch, and I think DS's number get even small starting from May 2012. The gap change between months will be even higher
Pokémon Black/White 2 release during June 2012 for DS, so it's likely this may cancel the EoW boost from September. Beyond that, NSW should have smooth sailing.
If the DS sold around 9-10 millions after the 3DS came out, i'm sure the Switch can sell 6-7 millions after the successor launches. With the Zelda lite switch and strong titles, i think it can manage to squeeze atleast 5 millions in the last quarter (make it to around 148 millions) and get close to 150 millions when the successor is released (anticipating around April/May).
Even if Nintendo just make the Switch disappear as fast as they can, i doubt it won't be able to sell the remaining 4 million copies it would need (vs DS sold double that after 3DS came out). I do think the only goal remaining is the PS2 now.
It'll have at least shipped 150 million before April/May 25 though. With the Black Friday/Xmas period being where the bulk of Nintendo sales come from, im expecting it to have shipped 150 million by January 2025. Especially if by end of June it was 143.42 million. The financial report in just over 2 weeks will probably say Switch has shipped 145+ million units, then the big Q3 Holiday sales will necessitate extra stock, so id be shocked if the Feb 2025 report doesn't confirm over 150 mill shipped as of Dec 31st 2024. Then we'll prob get confirmation in the early May 2025 financial report that as of 31st March 25 they've out-shipped DS numbers
One thing of note that is kind of clear with this graph, the combined sales of DS and Wii - systems Nintendo sold at the same time - far outreaches the sales of switch. the economic gain comes from not having to cater two separate systems.
I think the worst possible scenario for the Switch is 9 million for this FY wich would put it at ~ 150,3 million by the End of march. Another 4 million next year is basically guaranteed! We will see at least another million till march 2027 its 10th Bday. So i feel like 155 million will be the floor. This 158- 159 million (160 million by lying Ryan is rounded up) we have to see but its not impossible
