What Happened to Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch, launched in March 2017, revolutionized the gaming industry with its hybrid console design, allowing seamless transition between TV and handheld play. Achieving over 155 million lifetime sales, it became Nintendo's best-selling console, but has now entered its late lifecycle phase with the launch of its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, in June 2025. While the original Switch continues to be sold and supported, Nintendo's primary focus has shifted to the new hardware.
Quick Answer
The Nintendo Switch has transitioned into its late lifecycle phase following the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 in June 2025. Despite a significant decline in sales of the original model, it remains a highly successful console with over 155 million units sold worldwide as of December 2025. Nintendo continues to offer support and some new software for the original Switch, but its successor is now the company's primary focus, having already sold nearly 20 million units by March 2026. The Switch 2 also saw a price increase in May/September 2026 due to rising component costs.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline11 events
Nintendo Switch Launches
Nintendo releases the original Nintendo Switch console worldwide, introducing its innovative hybrid home/handheld design.
Nintendo Switch Lite Released
A handheld-only version of the console, the Nintendo Switch Lite, is launched, offering a more affordable and portable option.
Nintendo Switch OLED Model Released
Nintendo introduces the Switch OLED Model, featuring a larger, more vibrant OLED screen, enhanced audio, and an improved kickstand.
Surpasses 150 Million Units Sold
The Nintendo Switch family crosses the 150 million lifetime sales mark, solidifying its position as one of the best-selling consoles ever.
Sales Forecast Lowered for Original Switch
Nintendo lowers its sales forecast for the original Switch, acknowledging that the aging platform is performing 'below expectations' as it enters its eighth year.
Nintendo Switch 2 Launches
Nintendo releases its successor console, the Nintendo Switch 2, marking a new generation for the company's gaming hardware.
Nintendo Shifts Focus to Switch 2
Nintendo officially announces that it will shift its primary development focus to the Nintendo Switch 2, signaling the beginning of the end for the original Switch's dominant era.
Original Switch Becomes Nintendo's Best-Selling Console
Total sales of the original Switch reach 155.37 million units, officially making it the best-selling console in Nintendo's history, surpassing the Nintendo DS.
Switch 2 Sales Reach Nearly 20 Million
By the end of Nintendo's fiscal year, the Nintendo Switch 2 has sold 19.86 million units globally since its launch.
Nintendo Announces Switch 2 Price Increase
Nintendo confirms a price increase for the Switch 2, effective September 1, 2026, raising it from $449.99 to $499.99 in the US, citing rising component costs.
Original Switch Continues Sales Amidst Successor's Growth
As of today, the original Nintendo Switch continues to be sold, though its sales have significantly declined. Nintendo's focus is firmly on the Switch 2, which has a strong lineup of new games for 2026.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Nintendo Switch, first released in March 2017, quickly established itself as a groundbreaking console due to its innovative hybrid design, allowing players to seamlessly switch between a home console experience and a portable handheld device. This versatility, coupled with a strong lineup of first-party titles like 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' and 'Super Mario Odyssey', propelled the console to immense success, making it one of the best-selling video game consoles of all time. By December 2024, the Switch family had sold over 150 million units, surpassing the Nintendo DS to become Nintendo's best-selling console.
The console's lifecycle saw the introduction of the Nintendo Switch Lite in September 2019, a handheld-only version, and the Nintendo Switch OLED Model in October 2021, featuring an improved screen and kickstand. These variants helped maintain sales momentum and broaden the console's appeal to different consumer segments. However, by late 2024 and early 2025, sales of the original Switch models began to decelerate significantly, a natural progression for a console in its eighth year on the market. Nintendo acknowledged this maturation, revising its sales forecasts downward.
A pivotal turning point arrived with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025. This successor console quickly gained traction, selling 17.37 million units by December 31, 2025, and reaching 19.86 million units by March 31, 2026, outperforming the original Switch's launch period. The introduction of the Switch 2 marked a clear shift in Nintendo's strategy, with the company announcing its intention to focus its primary development efforts on the new platform.
As of May 16, 2026, the original Nintendo Switch is firmly in its late lifecycle. While Nintendo continues to sell the original Switch, with 3.8 million units sold in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, this represents a 64.8% decline year-over-year. The company projects selling only an additional 2 million units of the original Switch in the fiscal year ending March 2027. Software sales for the original Switch also saw a decline, down 11.9% year-over-year by March 2026. The Nintendo Switch 2, meanwhile, is seeing a robust software lineup for 2026, including titles like 'Yoshi and the Mysterious Book' (May 2026), a 'Star Fox' remake (June 2026), and 'Splatoon Raiders' (July 2026). Furthermore, Nintendo announced a price increase for the Switch 2, effective September 1, 2026, raising it from $449.99 to $499.99 in the US, citing rising component costs and market conditions.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Nintendo Switch made different choices?