Nintendo Switch Predicts Sales Dominance

Gaming market research firm DFC Intelligence forecasts Nintendo's Switch 2 to dominate next-gen console sales, projecting 15-17 million units sold in its first year. This impressive prediction positions the Switch 2 as the clear market leader. Read on for details on this exciting forecast.

Dominating the Market: 80 Million Units by 2028

DFC Intelligence's 2024 Video Game Market Report, released December 17th, predicts Nintendo will lead the console market, leaving Microsoft and Sony behind. This projection stems from the Switch 2's anticipated 2025 release, giving it a significant head start over competitors. The report estimates sales of 15-17 million units in 2025, soaring to over 80 million by 2028. The high demand may even challenge Nintendo's manufacturing capacity.

While Sony and Microsoft are reportedly developing handheld consoles, these projects appear to be in early stages. DFC Intelligence anticipates new consoles from these companies by 2028. This three-year gap (unless a surprise release occurs in 2026) provides a substantial advantage to the Switch 2. The report suggests only one of the post-Switch 2 consoles will achieve significant success, mentioning a potential "PS6" as a strong contender due to PlayStation's established player base and popular franchises.

Nintendo's Switch is already a massive success, surpassing the PlayStation 2's lifetime US sales. Circana (formerly NPD), reported that the Switch has sold 46.6 million units in the US, making it the second best-selling console in US history, behind only the Nintendo DS. This achievement is notable despite a reported 3% year-over-year sales decline.

A Resurgent Gaming Industry

DFC Intelligence paints a positive picture for the gaming industry. Founder and CEO David Cole states that after a two-year slump, the industry is poised for significant growth through the end of the decade, having expanded more than 20 times in the past three decades. 2025 is expected to be a particularly strong year, fueled by new releases like the Switch 2 and Grand Theft Auto VI.

The gaming audience is also expanding, projected to exceed 4 billion players by 2027. The rising popularity of portable gaming and the growth of esports and gaming influencers contribute to increased hardware sales across PC and consoles.