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

Despite not yet being released, DFC Intelligence, a video game market research firm, projects Nintendo's Switch 2 to be the top-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 driven by the Switch 2's anticipated 2025 release, giving it a significant head start over competitors. The report suggests that limited competition initially will further boost its sales. High demand might even challenge Nintendo's production capacity.

While Sony and Microsoft are reportedly developing handheld consoles, these are considered to be in early stages. DFC Intelligence anticipates new consoles from these companies by 2028, leaving a considerable gap for the Switch 2 to dominate. The report suggests only one of these post-Switch 2 consoles will achieve significant success, possibly a hypothetical "PS6," leveraging PlayStation's established player base and strong intellectual properties.

Nintendo's success is further underscored by the Switch surpassing the PlayStation 2's lifetime US sales, reaching the second highest all-time sales in the US market, according to Circana (formerly NPD). This achievement is notable even with a reported 3% decrease in Switch yearly sales.

DFC Intelligence's report paints a positive outlook for the video game industry as a whole. After a period of decline, the industry is poised for renewed growth, with 2025 projected to be a particularly strong year. This resurgence is attributed to anticipated releases like the Switch 2 and Grand Theft Auto VI, stimulating consumer spending. The global gaming audience is also expected to expand, exceeding 4 billion players by 2027, fueled by the increasing popularity of portable gaming and the growth of esports and gaming influencers. This growth is also reflected in rising hardware sales across both PC and consoles.