The hybrid Nintendo Switch continues to impress: nearly a decade after its debut, it has set a new all-time record for the company by surpassing the legendary Nintendo DS in global sales. Total Switch shipments have reached 155.37 million units, compared to 154.02 million for the DS. Even after the launch of its successor, the Switch 2, in mid-2025, demand for the original model remains consistently strong — a clear sign of its enduring popularity.

Top Nintendo Platforms: From Hardware to Software

In its latest report, Nintendo updated the list of its most successful platforms. The Game Boy family — including several versions such as the Game Boy Color — confidently holds third place. The Switch dominates not only in hardware sales but also in the number of games sold, with 1.5 billion copies. For comparison, the DS reached 948.76 million, while the Nintendo Wii unexpectedly took bronze with 921.85 million games sold, despite the console itself shipping 101.63 million units. The Game Boy recorded more modest results at 501.11 million copies.

Here are the leaders in game sales across Nintendo platforms:

  1. Switch — 1,500 million
  2. DS — 948.76 million
  3. Wii — 921.85 million
  4. Game Boy — 501.11 million

These figures show that the Switch is more than just a console — it is a full ecosystem where software success reinforces hardware sales, and vice versa.

Switch 2 at Launch: Prospects and Early Records

Its younger sibling, the Nintendo Switch 2, is off to a confident start. Less than a month after release, about 6 million units were sold, bringing total sales to 17.37 million. Of course, it still has a long way to go before matching the original Switch, but the momentum is impressive — especially amid announcements of new exclusives and upgraded hardware.

The Absolute King of the Industry

Despite Nintendo’s triumph, the overall champion of the gaming industry remains Sony’s PlayStation 2. Over its long lifecycle, the console found 160 million buyers and surpassed 1.54 billion games sold, maintaining its status as the most successful system in history. The Switch is approaching that milestone, but overtaking the PS2 will not be easy — even the original Nintendo DS fell short.

The Switch’s record is not just about numbers; it also proves that the hybrid format (portable + home console) fits perfectly into the modern gaming lifestyle. With the arrival of the Switch 2, Nintendo clearly has no intention of slowing down.

In brief

The Nintendo Switch has surpassed the DS to become the best-selling console in the company’s history, with 155.37 million units sold. Its leadership is reinforced by game sales totaling 1.5 billion copies. The Switch 2 has launched strongly (17.37 million units) but still has far to go to match the record. Meanwhile, the PS2 remains the industry’s all-time leader with 160 million consoles and 1.54 billion games sold.