Nintendo Switch passes HUGE milestone, fast approaching Wii U lifetime sales

is closing in on the number of consoles the Wii U sold in its entire lifetime after hitting 10million units sold.

In its first nine months on sale the Switch has sold 10million units across the globe, despite widespread stock shortages at the start of its lifetime.

This is not far off the 13.56million the Wii U, the Nintendo Switch’s predecessor, sold during its four-year lifetime.

The latest Switch sales figures were revealed by Nintendo today, and with Christmas round the corner they’ll surely add to that tally.

Speaking about the news, Nintendo of Europe President Satoru Shibata said: “We are thrilled that fans all across Europe and around the world are enjoying the gameplay experiences that only Nintendo Switch can offer, whether it be the newest adventures with Super Mario and Link, or unique games such as 1-2-Switch, where players look at each other and not the screen.”

Nintendo gave their last Switch sales update at the end of October, revealing the console had sold 7.63million globally as of the end of September.

The latest sales update marks a 2.37million increase in the number of Switch units sold across the globe.

Nintendo Switch launched on March 3, and despite widespread stock shortages in the first few months on sale it has continued to fly off the shelves. 

And with Christmas just around the corner, the Nintendo Switch is surely set to continue to add impressive numbers to its total sales tally.

The news comes after Nintendo appeared to lay down a massive signal of intent for its sales ambition with the Switch.

The Big N had originally targeted selling 10million Nintendo Switch’s within its first year on sale, which it has now hit.

But that was recently ramped up to a target of 14million.

And the Wall Street Journal reported that Nintendo are now intending to ship between 25 and 30million Switch units during its second year on sale.

The WSJ said Nintendo could ramp up production numbers even further if Switch sales around the busy Christmas period this year are strong.

The respected business paper cited sources who allegedly had direct knowledge of the plans.

In comparison, the PS4 sold 17.7million units during its second year on sale.

While the PS2, the best selling console of all time, sold 22.52million units in its most successful year.

If the Switch manages to sell over 25million during its second year on sale, that would be similar to the success the Wii had.

The Wii, Nintendo’s most successful home console, sold 25.94 million units in its second full fiscal year.

If Ninty are aiming for 25 to 30million Switch units sold during its second year, then it’s a huge statement of intent and lays down the marker to Sony.

The PS4 is the most successful console this generation, with Sony recently revealing the PlayStation 4 has sold a whopping 70million units so far.

The PS4 is fast closing in on the lifetime sales of the PS3 and Xbox 360, which stands at 83.8million and 84million respectively.

TOP FIVE BEST SELLING CONSOLES OF ALL TIME

1) PlayStation 2 – 155million units sold

2) Nintendo DS – 154.02million units sold

3) Game Boy/Game Boy Color – 118.69million units sold

4) PlayStation – 102.49million units sold

5) Wii – 101.63million units sold