The Nintendo Switch has just hit a new milestone in the US, overtaking the PlayStation 2 as the second most purchased console in the country – only trailing another beloved Nintendo device.
Nintendo is reigning supreme in the US as lifetime unit sales of its flagship console have exceeded those of the PS2. With 46.6 million units sold on US soil, the Nintendo Switch is only falling behind the Nintendo DS, that is to say the best-selling handheld console in gaming history.
On the international stage, Nintendo still has work to do to overthrow its competitor. Sony has sold over 160 million PS2s globally – nearly 14 million more units than its Nintendo rival. While the top spot may be beyond its reach, the Switch is likely to rack up these numbers during the holiday season, although its overall sales have been slowing down in past months as anticipation mounts for its successor.
In all likelihood, the official announcement for Nintendo’s upcoming console may have been pushed back to the first semester of 2025 so as not to hinder the commercial performances of its predecessor, which remains the ever-popular Christmas gift. Even after the much-anticipated release of its new iteration, the Switch’s affordability could prop up its lifetime sales to close the gap with the PS2 if Nintendo decides to continue producing and selling its iconic handheld console. For comparison, PlayStation waited until 2013 to discontinue the PS2, effectively making it available throughout the entire lifecycle of the PS3.
Recent rumors imply that Nintendo could announce the Switch 2 as soon as January 2025. This would align with earlier declarations by the company’s CEO, Shuntaro Furukawa. Speaking to Reuters, Furukawa disclosed plans to reveal the Switch successor by March-end. A month ago, Nintendo’s president also reassured fans by confirming Switch software to be playable on the company’s next console. Reports from peripheral manufacturers suggest that this backward compatibility could extend to physical cartridges.
Meanwhile, fresh leaks have confirmed many speculations surrounding the yet-unnamed console. One Reddit user allegedly handled its final version, providing enough photographic proof for The Verge to give credence to their claims. According to NextHandheld, the device’s Joy-Con controllers will connect magnetically by snapping onto its side. This doesn’t sound like news to avid Nintendo fans, as rumors of this electromagnetic functionality emerged as early as April. However, NextHandheld specifies that these Hall-effect joysticks require no contact between their components, which would make them more durable, improve their accuracy, and reduce stick drift.
Besides these frictionless inputs, the Switch 2 might benefit from a power boost when docked. This suggests that the console’s graphical capabilities could be enhanced and even allow for 4K display on TV. While fans should tread carefully around these fragments of leaked information, there is strong evidence that Nintendo intends to bring titles made with Unreal Engine 5 to its next-gen console. The company has recently strengthened its ties with third-party publishers, including FromSoftware and Square Enix. Bearing more exciting prospects for gamers, internal emails indicate Activision executives believe the Switch 2 could come close to Gen8 platforms in terms of hardware capacities.
Besides new installments of their favorite franchises, starting with Super Mario, Pokémon, and Animal Crossing, Nintendo fans could soon play modern AAA blockbusters like Elden Ring. Despite this potential triple-A lineup, Nintendo’s next hybrid console should stay true to its family-friendly reputation by rolling out its signature cozy sims and compilations aimed at casual audiences, from casual gaming bundles to party games featuring worldwide classics like dominoes and blackjack.
While they wait for more news to drop on the Switch 2’s library, gamers can find many more timeless card games online. They may also spice things up by trying real money slots. Players can browse specialized platforms to find trusted websites offering safe deposit and withdrawal options. Several payment methods are available with a few clicks, including e-wallets and cryptocurrencies. Plus, bonuses like free spins and sign-up offers help newcomers fund their bankroll to get started just right.
As rumors have it, fans could soon get their first glimpse at the Switch 2. If Nintendo follows the same pattern as its predecessor, this would hint at a March release window. To boost up early sales, the console could launch with a long overdue Mario Kart 9. By then, the Nintendo Switch could have sold a few more million units worldwide – with just the DS to beat to land first place in the US.