Nintendo Switch Sales Now at Almost 17 Million Units Sold
It’s become old news but the Nintendo Switch has had one helluva first-year thanks to excellent marketing and an incredible slate of first and third party games. In other words, it’s flying off the shelves. Nonetheless, eyes are on Nintendo to capitalize on that success going into the console’s second year. It also isn’t uncommon for Nintendo to refresh the hardware after a year. Just look at the Game Boy, DS, and 3DS for examples.
However, a new report from The Wall Street Journal is claiming that Nintendo isn’t focusing on a ‘Switch 2.0’ this year. Instead, they want to double down on peripherals and accessories to help continue the Switch’s strong momentum. Nintendo Labo — Nintendo’s cardboard arts and crafts kit — is proof of the company’s new direction. According to the WSJ sources, Nintendo wants to keep manufacturing and shipping its current Switch model rather than a new one.
Their sources also state the following:
“The people familiar said expanded Switch features in the coming year could also include additional network-related features and peripherals to be attached to its USB Type-C port. At an investor briefing in February, Mr. Kimishima, the Nintendo CEO, said he wanted to make the Switch’s product cycle longer than the five-to-six-year span that’s become customary in the videogame console industry. One person familiar with development plans said waiting longer to introduce variations in the hardware would serve that purpose.”
This doesn’t discount the possibility of a Switch 2.0 in the future. But as of right now, it’s not in the cards. The report also makes short mention of the Switch now expecting to hit 17 million sales worldwide by March this year — that’s now, by the way. Nintendo is hoping to sell 20 million consoles in its second year.
What do you make of this news? Is Nintendo right to focus on peripherals? Were you holding out for a revised console? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.