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Nintendo Switch sets new record as best-selling console in the U.S. for 22 consecutive months

martino

Member
try to say this when ps5 will sell a lot
tenor.gif
 

gradient

Resident Cheap Arse
Switch isnt console, technically.

It is handheld-tv-out-"console" hybrid and also handheld (lite)

Imo it is not logical to compare that into real home consoles, real as in permanently connected to tv.

I'm getting all nostalgic here. It's just like back in the PS3/360/Wii generation where "hardcore" gamers used to dismiss the Wii Sales because it wasn't "next gen" and so it's sales shouldn't be compared to the other competing consoles.

Scary good sales though. Great console. Really great catalogue so far with a lot of hidden content/value to dig out in the years to come for all the retro/collecting folks.
 
giphy.gif


Good. Between the form factor and the library it's been an incredible device and to me it's the only console that sold me on it's exclusives alone. The visuals aren't the best in the industry, but I have a PC for that. The games are what matter most and Nintendo has been knocking it out of the park releasing games I actually feel nostalgia about despite not having been around that long.

When they do replace it with a new console I hope they stick to the hybrid format and use some implementation of DLSS to free up some power to keep framerates up.
 

Woopah

Member
Games sell systems. There's no question the ability to make it portable helps too. Though using that to try and devalue its success is like saying the PS2 wasn't really successful because most people bought it to play DVDs.

Good for them but just like with the Wii I don't think it's going to change the market. I think their ability to influence the rest of the market died when the motion control gimmick never translated beyond the Wii. And you can tell how much it died because even they aren't pursuing it anymore.
I don't think that's true. The Switch just broke a record that was held by the 360, and a big reason why the 360 held that record was because Microsoft were influenced by Nintendo into creating Kinect.
 

LarknThe4th

Member
Love the "not a console though" coping going on, get over it like

Anyway, fantastic success, by this time next year the big 3 will all be doing gangbusters on the reg an the industry is far better off for it

Now let's see Metroid Prine 4 please!!
 

magnumpy

Member
I don't think that's true. The Switch just broke a record that was held by the 360, and a big reason why the 360 held that record was because Microsoft were influenced by Nintendo into creating Kinect.

how many tampons have been sold? how many rolls of toilet paper?

the fact that it has sold a lot only proves the need to dispose of human beings more unfortunate, shameful practices :(

and don't even begin to tell me that kinect was anything but a regrettable cash grab! harumphf! :eek:
 

Thirty7ven

Banned
Has there ever been such a console? Breaking records left and right yet having almost no impact on the gaming landscape?

It’s the perfect secondary console I reckon.
 

-Arcadia-

Banned
It really is the "Chad" console isn't it? The other guys try so hard and Switch effortlessly outdoes them using good fundamentals. Just shows up with good games, nice price and a useful gimmick and everyone loves it.

And the few who don't love it hate it bitterly from the shadows.

This was my exact thought, particularly after observing the bitter war between the other two consoles this year. All that effort, all that arguing, and in reality, Switch has been the console in sales for the last two years.

That’s with the caveat of older consoles, but I’m not sure it’ll change for PS5.

Personally, I think the industry has trend-followed into much less interesting games, wherein outside of a few superstars, gaming feels like a major regression from the past generations. That does not extend to Nintendo, and that’s the biggest reason why I think they’re doing so well. Gaming on Switch is being hit with a blast of sheer, classic fun.

The versatility of the console is also a genuine step forward. Everyone from children to adults live busy lives these days, and something that can keep up with that, makes gaming a constant, awesome companion.

But it’s mostly the fun, imo. Never underestimate the power of bringing people sheer joy.
 
Has there ever been such a console? Breaking records left and right yet having almost no impact on the gaming landscape?

I keep coming back to these threads for this kind of batshit crazy hot takes. "It's selling well but it's having no impact". I sometimes wonder if this is a refusal to cope or if you guys use the threads with positive Nintendo news as a sort of unspoken therapy session.
 

NeoIkaruGAF

Gold Member
People ranting “bu bu butttt it’s a handheld! Totally not a real console!” in Switch success threads are always great fun.
I mean, it’s the textbook example of being pedantic because you’re a butthurt stan with an agenda.
The way some of you go so vehemently about this, it’s like you’re sweating bullets in fear that Horizon may one day come to a Nintendo system (like you wouldn’t inevitably mock the lower performance of such an already impossible port for decades to come, lol). Some people really act like Switch selling half a unit more than PS4 when all is said and done is gonna open the seven pits of hell.

I can’t be bothered to comb through the Internet to prove it happened, but I‘d be surprised if no one ever called the PSP or the Vita a home console that only lacks TV connectivity, lol.

Switch is just doing well, people. Relax. In a month or two you’ll have your shiny new toy, and this time next year you won’t allow us breathing room with all the PS5 success threads. Let people enjoy things.
 

Jeeves

Member
This was my exact thought, particularly after observing the bitter war between the other two consoles this year. All that effort, all that arguing, and in reality, Switch has been the console in sales for the last two years.

That’s with the caveat of older consoles, but I’m not sure it’ll change for PS5.

Personally, I think the industry has trend-followed into much less interesting games, wherein outside of a few superstars, gaming feels like a major regression from the past generations. That does not extend to Nintendo, and that’s the biggest reason why I think they’re doing so well. Gaming on Switch is being hit with a blast of sheer, classic fun.

The versatility of the console is also a genuine step forward. Everyone from children to adults live busy lives these days, and something that can keep up with that, makes gaming a constant, awesome companion.

But it’s mostly the fun, imo. Never underestimate the power of bringing people sheer joy.
I agree, especially with the bolded sentence. I harp about it all the time because I feel like no one else is doing it, but the hardware race has brought us a market where only "safe" games are produced anymore. Now you mostly just have indies taking risks, with few 'AA' games to speak of. I don't think the Switch landscape is perfect in this regard either, but I'm glad that it's there to call attention to the fact that sky-high development costs are not at all necessary for success outside of the indie space.
 
Hmm, the Nintendo Switch seems to have the momentum of a runaway freight train. But why its so popular?

My honest opinion is because it actually has “genuine”(not on PC) good to great quality exclusives, it’s quite unique, Nintendo’s brand recognition and the portability aspects. People can deny it, but imo I think the portability is a HUGE part of what makes the Switch successful, especially somewhere like Japan where they prefer portables over consoles. Technically it’s a console, but the hybrid functionality is what really sets it apart from the competition.
 
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carlosrox

Banned


I remembered this being on Netflix after seeing this gif earlier and it basically made me watch like 80% of the movie on a whim.

Movie is even better than I remember it. Damn Tom Hanks can fucking act.

Anyways back to how Nintendo rules.
 
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Bitmap Frogs

Mr. Community
It really is the "Chad" console isn't it? The other guys try so hard and Switch effortlessly outdoes them using good fundamentals. Just shows up with good games, nice price and a useful gimmick and everyone loves it.

And the few who don't love it hate it bitterly from the shadows.

The blue ocean strategy paying off. While Microsoft and Sony bitterly compete for the same piece of the pie, Nintendo is out there, finding fresh catch.

Well deserved success, the switch is a very nice console to own with the sole exception of the online functionality being offloaded onto yourphone.
 
People people people, please stop buying the Switch... It's over 3 years old and Nintendo still refuses to drop the price or offer a respectable sale on it. I've been waiting for it to drop down to around $200 since it released, but nooOOoo! Ugh Nintendo is such a money whore company. And no the cheapo switch lite version that won't hook up to a tv doesn't count. And my gripe includes game pricing too.
 
Well done Nintendo and all that Jazz...I just don't get the appeal

and if the appeal is its handheldness, why the hell haven't MS and Sony (Especially MS with Xcloud) announced a handheld?

XSS should have been a handheld.
 

Carna

Banned
Nintendo skeptic: I don't like it

Nintendo fan: FUCK YOU CUNT! YOU JUST JEALOUS BECUZ MAH GAMEZ

some of you seriously need to lightin up with these types of threads, this coming from a person with 20 games on the switch.
 

KingT731

Member
The blue ocean strategy paying off. While Microsoft and Sony bitterly compete for the same piece of the pie, Nintendo is out there, finding fresh catch.

Well deserved success, the switch is a very nice console to own with the sole exception of the online functionality being offloaded onto yourphone.
I think it's more of the "companion" console to an extent. A large portion of Switch owners are not "Switch Only"
 

Chastten

Banned
Well deserved. At launch I thought it was gonna fail miserably but it quickly turned out to be my favorite console in the past... 20 years or so? And yes, it is by all accounts a console. And a handheld. Not one or the other. Both. People claiming otherwise are just making a fool of themselves.

Next year seem to be pretty strong as well I'd say. Bravely Default 2, Bayonetta 3, Metroid Prime 4, Hyrule Warriors 2, both Monster Hunters, all the evergreens and some thirdparty games will make sure of that.
 

Woopah

Member
how many tampons have been sold? how many rolls of toilet paper?

the fact that it has sold a lot only proves the need to dispose of human beings more unfortunate, shameful practices :(

and don't even begin to tell me that kinect was anything but a regrettable cash grab! harumphf! :eek:
My point was that the Kinect proves that Nintendo impacted the market. I wasn't talking about the quality of the Kinect itself.
 
Isn't the consensus that the Switch is not a console? If it was then where's the successor to the 3DS? Nintendo basically got out of the console business without being explicit about it to not get investors mad.
 

Hardensoul

Member
I mean there is no reason this would change in the rest of 2020 and at least the first couple of months of 2021.

exclusives
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe
- Mario Kart Live
- Age of Calamity
- Bravely Default 2
- Breath of the Wild 2
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
- Monster Hunter Rise
- Monster Hunter Stories 2
- Rune Factory 5
- SMT V
- Bayonetta 3

The Switch is still at full price, they could drop $50 off the Lite and OG model and still be making a profit on hardware. Lite is what has allowed them to actually expand production since it's simple to manufacture and they could diversify the supply chain into Vietnam. I expect them to get around 30 million sales WW for the year and to outperform the new consoles in the next 4 months(minimum).

With the new consoles competing with each other Switch has carved out its own piece of the market in North America, and we will only see this change as some major games release on the new consoles. So far I don't really see something earth-shattering from Microsoft or Sony announced in the first 6 months for them to outperform the Switch. So we might be looking at around 29 months at the top for the Switch before we can realistically expect supply of the new consoles to be at the needed level and a major title to drop on them.

There is also a potential revision coming in 2021, which could provide further justification to expect 2021 to be similar to 2020 in terms of hardware sales for the Switch. Honestly this year in North America it seems demand is still not met, even at the moment as they are very close to setting records in North America the Switch continues to be resold at about $60 above market value. Animal Crossing's bundle is back in stock, Ring Fit supply is finally sorted now that it's officially launched in China and you no longer need to buy it above market price, Super Mario 3D All-Stars just set a record for a 3D Mario game, Age of Calamity is set to be Koei Tecmo's best selling game in a lot of countries. I won't be surprised if Animal Crossing, Ring Fit, Super Mario 3D All-Stars and Age of Calamity end up very high in the NPD rankings for both November and December. I actually expect that if they keep the AC Bundle for the holidays, New Horizon to end up the best selling game in December.

Metroid Prime 4?
Err.. nvm it'll be on Switch 2 in 2022:messenger_loudly_crying:
 
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Humdinger

Member
I don't know, I'd be interested in seeing some hard numbers on that.

I did a poll here in 2018, asking what consoles people owned, and only a small percentage (like 2%) owned only a Switch. However, that's not terribly meaningful because 1) Switch released halfway through this gen, so of course most people here would already have bought a PS4 or Xbox One by then; 2) the percentage of people owning only an Xbox was only 3%; 3) it only tells you about ownership, not playtime (i.e., it's possible that some people own more than just a Switch, but most of their playtime is on the Switch), 4) it was a poll of GAF members, so it isn't representative of the general gaming populace, 5) it was 2 or 3 years ago, and Switch has sold very well since then.


p.s. About 85% of GAF own more than one console. So even if most people who play on Switch also own another console, that is also true for Xbox and PS as well. The vast majority of people here own more than one console.
 
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Mozza

Member

This thread is pure class, just goes to show nobody can predict a hit.

 

TLZ

Banned
It's still a console marketed in the same space as the machines from Sony and Microsoft's machines.
They can market it however they want, doesn't make it a home console. Everyone knows it's a portable. If it wasn't a portable, absolutely no one would be astonished by its very weak hardware.

Fact is, many of us are surprised by how good it is as a portable, such a powerful portable, how this portable can play current gen ports, best thing since the Vita, and so on. But it seems to me the narrative changes to suit the situation.

Matter of fact, if it wasn't a portable, it wouldn't have sold half the amount it sold. I'd say even a quarter. What'd be attractive about it then? It'd just be the weakest link with nothing to add. Just solely relying on its games, which I don't think would work. Nintendo always did best with its portables, selling crazy amounts compared to its home consoles. Wii was the only outlier because of the wiimotes.

It'd just be fair if it's properly marketed as a portable device sitting in its own corner eating up sales, just like all its portable siblings before it. Except this time it has no competition. It's the only portable dedicated gaming device.
 

BadBurger

Is 'That Pure Potato'
Wow, and they didn't even need to reduce the price. My completely amateur take: since The Switch has been Nintendo's only offering for a while now, and being a hybrid is gobbling up both their standard console and portable audiences, big sales numbers were always a foregone conclusion.
 

Mozza

Member
People ranting “bu bu butttt it’s a handheld! Totally not a real console!” in Switch success threads are always great fun.
I mean, it’s the textbook example of being pedantic because you’re a butthurt stan with an agenda.
The way some of you go so vehemently about this, it’s like you’re sweating bullets in fear that Horizon may one day come to a Nintendo system (like you wouldn’t inevitably mock the lower performance of such an already impossible port for decades to come, lol). Some people really act like Switch selling half a unit more than PS4 when all is said and done is gonna open the seven pits of hell.

I can’t be bothered to comb through the Internet to prove it happened, but I‘d be surprised if no one ever called the PSP or the Vita a home console that only lacks TV connectivity, lol.

Switch is just doing well, people. Relax. In a month or two you’ll have your shiny new toy, and this time next year you won’t allow us breathing room with all the PS5 success threads. Let people enjoy things.

Yes I always find this strange too, the Ps4 has been a massive success and well deserved imho, I do not personally own one but still a credit to them, but when the Switch does well certain people can't handle it for some reason, even more baffling is the fact it does not impact directly on the Ps4 or Xbox's market, which to be honest they seem to point out many times with comments stating it's not really a home console and it's under powered ;)
 

Mozza

Member
They can market it however they want, doesn't make it a home console. Everyone knows it's a portable. If it wasn't a portable, absolutely no one would be astonished by its very weak hardware.

Fact is, many of us are surprised by how good it is as a portable, such a powerful portable, how this portable can play current gen ports, best thing since the Vita, and so on. But it seems to me the narrative changes to suit the situation.

Matter of fact, if it wasn't a portable, it wouldn't have sold half the amount it sold. I'd say even a quarter. What'd be attractive about it then? It'd just be the weakest link with nothing to add. Just solely relying on its games, which I don't think would work. Nintendo always did best with its portables, selling crazy amounts compared to its home consoles. Wii was the only outlier because of the wiimotes.

It'd just be fair if it's properly marketed as a portable device sitting in its own corner eating up sales, just like all its portable siblings before it. Except this time it has no competition. It's the only portable dedicated gaming device.

O.k, so it's a console hybrid that connects to your T.V, or can be played as a handheld, that has been selling very well since launch. ;)

Also it's lack of competition is more based on the fact Nintendo do not wan't to get into the hardcore console wars, as they just do not see the potential for enough sales with two very big players competing for a share of around 180 million consoles every generation.
 
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Mozza

Member
This comment shows why gamers are a lost cause...

And why they have little idea why something sells well that they personally do not like, they just can't seem to get their heads around the fact not everybody buys things based in the internet forum posting minorities own personal buying motivators.
 

Mozza

Member
The Switch will probably outsell the ps5 and series X in NOV, Dec,

These new machines will have little to no impact on the Switch at launch or going forward, the Switch has not been competing in that space since the beginning, and Nintendo have not been in the hardcore market since the Gamecube.
 

Clutch Johnson

Neo Member
Yeah, I wonder if the next device will be a Switch 2 or a new idea. You'd imagine it would be a Switch 2, but I'm not sure when it comes to Nintendo, they're unpredictable and that's partly why I like them.

I think they can make a really awesome Switch 2, especially with the level of confidence Switch gave them, and of course the available tech that they can leverage.

Given their history, it will very likely be a Switch successor. Nintendo has always followed a Revolution/Evolution pattern with their consoles, introducing something radically new and disruptive, followed by a refinement of that idea:
  • NES --> SNES
  • N64 --> GameCube
  • Wii --> Wii U
  • Switch --> ???
 

Mozza

Member
People people people, please stop buying the Switch... It's over 3 years old and Nintendo still refuses to drop the price or offer a respectable sale on it. I've been waiting for it to drop down to around $200 since it released, but nooOOoo! Ugh Nintendo is such a money whore company. And no the cheapo switch lite version that won't hook up to a tv doesn't count. And my gripe includes game pricing too.

Er, thanks for that wonderful insight, I hope everyone listens to you and stops buying the console and it's games. ;)
 

-Arcadia-

Banned
Some people say the Switch isn’t a console, and I see the reasoning, and it makes sense.

From my point of view, when I pick up a controller, hold the home button to turn it on, enjoy pretty (well, mostly first party, lol) games that look fantastic on my 4K display despite 1080p, have access to all the features of a console...

What exactly is the difference? I’m fundamentally gaming in the exact same way I do on the other systems, except I can yank it out and take it with me. Is a console defined by the pixels it can produce? Is the PS3, weaker than the Switch, no longer considered a console?

I can see both perspectives on this, but in my experience, I don’t feel like I’m playing a handheld masquerading as a console. I feel like I’m playing a console that also has portability.

In fact, to me, the Switch feels ‘console first’. It isn’t quite as trim, light, and pick-up-and-play as handhelds like the PSP or GBA, something which the Switch Lite picked up on to great effect. It feels more like a tablet packed with features to keep the console experience (multiplayer, separate display) intact on the go, even coming in at a hefty price versus prior handhelds, and with genuinely surprising visual capability for that segment (especially Nintendo handhelds).

It’s all a matter of perspective of course, but it seemed interesting, and I wanted to weigh in.
 

Mozza

Member
They can market it however they want, doesn't make it a home console. Everyone knows it's a portable. If it wasn't a portable, absolutely no one would be astonished by its very weak hardware.

Fact is, many of us are surprised by how good it is as a portable, such a powerful portable, how this portable can play current gen ports, best thing since the Vita, and so on. But it seems to me the narrative changes to suit the situation.

Matter of fact, if it wasn't a portable, it wouldn't have sold half the amount it sold. I'd say even a quarter. What'd be attractive about it then? It'd just be the weakest link with nothing to add. Just solely relying on its games, which I don't think would work. Nintendo always did best with its portables, selling crazy amounts compared to its home consoles. Wii was the only outlier because of the wiimotes.

It'd just be fair if it's properly marketed as a portable device sitting in its own corner eating up sales, just like all its portable siblings before it. Except this time it has no competition. It's the only portable dedicated gaming device.

There is no basis in fact to anything in your post, the console is neither a handheld or a home console device, so it can't be compared to previous handhelds, as by definition it's not a handheld device, if you had said this about the Switch lite I would have agreed with you, your assumption it's only sold well because it's a handheld device is also based on your own personal take on things, so again not based in fact, and the power of the console also is of little significance to anyone outside of the core minorities, so again it's only your own personal belief that the general consumers have been drawn to the console because of it's handheld nature as if it were a dedicated home console it would be under powered and sell low numbers.

The fact is Nintendo have made a console that appeals to a wider demographic that does not care about power and specs, they see it as a cool device that can be played as a handheld or connect to your T.V for the complete console experience.
 

Mozza

Member
Some people say the Switch isn’t a console, and I see the reasoning, and it makes sense.

From my point of view, when I pick up a controller, hold the home button to turn it on, enjoy pretty (well, mostly first party, lol) games that look fantastic on my 4K display despite 1080p, have access to all the features of a console...

What exactly is the difference? I’m fundamentally gaming in the exact same way I do on the other systems, except I can yank it out and take it with me. Is a console defined by the pixels it can produce? Is the PS3, weaker than the Switch, no longer considered a console?

I can see both perspectives on this, but in my experience, I don’t feel like I’m playing a handheld masquerading as a console. I feel like I’m playing a console that also has portability.

In fact, to me, the Switch feels ‘console first’. It isn’t quite as trim, light, and pick-up-and-play as handhelds like the PSP or GBA, something which the Switch Lite picked up on to great effect. It feels more like a tablet packed with features to keep the console experience (multiplayer, separate display) intact on the go, even coming in at a hefty price versus prior handhelds, and with genuinely surprising visual capability for that segment (especially Nintendo handhelds).

It’s all a matter of perspective of course, but it seemed interesting, and I wanted to weigh in.

Same here, I play mine pretty much docked 99% of the time, and this was a great move for Nintendo as I feel there will be a lot of owners playing in docked mode for most of the time, but the fact you have the option of handheld play is a big draw to people, even if in all reality they only use it from time to time.
 
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