Switch 2 Predicted as the Best Selling Next-Gen Console Despite Not Even Being Out Yet

Despite not yet being released, the Nintendo Switch 2 is projected by DFC Intelligence to be the best-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 is attributed to the Switch 2's anticipated 2025 release, providing a significant head start over competitors Microsoft and Sony. The report suggests these companies are still in the conceptual stages of their own handheld consoles, potentially launching around 2028. This three-year gap gives the Switch 2 a considerable advantage, with DFC Intelligence suggesting only one of the post-Switch 2 consoles will achieve significant success. A hypothetical "PS6" is mentioned as a potential contender due to PlayStation's established player base and strong intellectual properties.

The Switch's enduring popularity is highlighted by Circana's data showing its lifetime US sales surpassing those of the PlayStation 2. Despite a reported 3% decrease in yearly sales, the Switch holds the second position in all-time US video game hardware sales, trailing only the Nintendo DS.

DFC Intelligence's report paints a positive outlook for the video game industry as a whole, projecting healthy growth through the end of the decade after a recent slump. 2025 is anticipated to be a particularly strong year, driven by the Switch 2 launch and the release of Grand Theft Auto VI. The industry's audience is expected to surpass 4 billion players by 2027, fueled by the accessibility of handheld gaming and the growth of esports and gaming influencers. This increased accessibility and the rise of gaming influencers are also contributing to increased hardware purchases across PCs and consoles.