The Switch Is Now Officially Nintendo’s Best-Selling Console of All Time

It is official: the Nintendo Switch has cemented its legacy as the most successful hardware in the company’s history. According to Nintendo’s most recent financial disclosure, the hybrid system reached a staggering 155.37 million units sold as of December 31, 2025. This achievement finally eclipses the long-standing record held by the Nintendo DS, which moved 154.02 million units during its lifetime.

While the Switch has been on a trajectory toward this milestone for years, the timing is particularly noteworthy. This record was shattered even as the gaming world transitioned to the next generation, following the highly anticipated debut of the Nintendo Switch 2 last summer. Despite the new hardware arrival, the original Switch remains a hot commodity, bolstered by aggressive retail promotions and a massive existing library.

“By the end of the third quarter, cumulative sales of the Nintendo Switch surpassed those of the Nintendo DS, marking the highest volume for any Nintendo hardware to date,” the company stated in its earnings report. “Player engagement remains remarkably high; even during this generational shift, the platform maintains over 100 million annual active users, mirroring the strength seen in previous years.”

Nintendo highlighted that while previous console transitions often saw a fractured user base, the Switch’s massive ecosystem has served as a launchpad for its successor. This “unprecedented install base” has provided a stable foundation for the Switch 2, allowing the brand to maintain momentum without the typical “generational dip.”

The Nintendo Switch 2 is already proving to be a titan in its own right. The report confirms that the new console has already moved 17.37 million units, with 15 million of those sales occurring within its first six months on the market. Adoption rates for the Switch 2 are currently outstripping the original Switch’s legendary launch pace by a significant margin.

While the Switch 2 has a long road ahead if it hopes to eventually overtake its predecessor’s lifetime total, its early performance suggests it is well on its way to becoming another industry phenomenon.

For more on the latest hardware, dive into our look at the vibrant new Joy-Con 2 colors arriving with Mario Tennis Fever, or browse our definitive rankings of the top 10 must-play Nintendo Switch 2 titles.

Have you upgraded to the Switch 2 yet? Drop a comment below and tell us which game has kept you glued to the screen!