Switch 2 Dominates Next-Gen Sales Projections

Despite not yet being released, DFC Intelligence, a video game market research firm, projects Nintendo's Switch 2 to be the top-selling next-gen console. Their 2024 Video Game Market Report and Forecast, released December 17th, predicts sales exceeding 15-17 million units in 2025 and over 80 million by 2028. This makes Nintendo the projected "clear winner" and "console market leader."

This forecast stems from the Switch 2's anticipated 2025 release, giving it a significant head start over competitors. The report suggests limited competition initially, with Microsoft and Sony's potential handheld consoles still in development, likely releasing around 2028. This three-year gap positions the Switch 2 for sustained dominance, with only one of the later consoles predicted to achieve significant success. The report highlights the PlayStation's strong player base and intellectual properties as potential advantages for a hypothetical "PS6."

The Switch's enduring popularity is undeniable, surpassing the PlayStation 2's lifetime US sales with 46.6 million units sold, placing it second only to the Nintendo DS in all-time US sales, according to Circana (formerly NPD). This achievement is notable despite a reported 3% year-over-year sales decline.

DFC Intelligence's report paints a positive outlook for the video game industry as a whole. After a two-year slump, the industry is projected to experience healthy growth through the end of the decade, with 2025 anticipated as a particularly strong year. This resurgence is attributed to new product releases, including the Switch 2 and Grand Theft Auto VI, both expected in 2025. The global gaming audience is projected to surpass 4 billion players by 2027, fueled by the rise of portable gaming, esports, and gaming influencers, leading to increased hardware sales across PC and consoles.