Sponsored By

As Sony and Microsoft debut their next-gen consoles, the Nintendo Switch just posted its best October sales to date in the United States.

Chris Kerr, News Editor

November 13, 2020

1 Min Read

As Sony and Microsoft debut their next-gen consoles, the Nintendo Switch just posted its best October sales to date in the United States. 

According to NPD numbers reported by Nintendo, the Switch and Switch Lite sold a combined 735,926 units in the U.S. during October, which represents year-on-year sales growth of 136 percent.

That total represents the second-highest October sales of any video game console in history, only outdone by the 807,000 sales amassed by the Wii back in October 2008. 

The Switch launched worldwide in March 2017, and the fact it has managed to set a new monthly sales record in the States over three years later is evidence of its continued momentum. 

In its latest financial report, Nintendo revealed that worldwide Switch hardware sales totaled 12.53 million units over the past six months, taking lifetime sales to 68.30 million units. 

That means the Switch has shifted five times as many units as its predecessor the Wii U, which managed just 13.52 million sales during its five-year lifespan. 

Adding some context to those October numbers, NPD analyst Mat Piscatella said the Switch's performance in the U.S. is comparable to the Wii at its peak. 

"The Switch numbers are absolutely bonkers," he wrote on Twitter. "We're talking Wii peak numbers here, with little risk of falling off a cliff like Wii did. It's a monster of a platform."

About the Author(s)

Chris Kerr

News Editor, GameDeveloper.com

Game Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist and reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. He has featured on the judging panel at The Develop Star Awards on multiple occasions and appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.

Daily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inbox

You May Also Like