Why Switch what works, Nintendo’s Switch is now company’s best-selling console ever

Nintendo Switch has become the company’s best-selling console of all time, with lifetime sales reaching 155.37 million units, the Japanese gaming giant announced Tuesday.

The milestone comes nearly nine years after the Switch’s March 2017 release, surpassing the previous record of 154.02 million units held by the Nintendo DS. The iconic Gameboy ranks third with 118.69 million units sold.

The Switch’s success marks a remarkable turnaround for Nintendo, which had been struggling with declining share prices following the disappointing performance of its Wii U console before the Switch launch.

The innovative hardware design combined with strong games featuring Nintendo’s most popular characters helped drive the console’s popularity. Since the Switch’s release, Nintendo has more than tripled its valuation, with its brand becoming arguably more popular than ever.

The 2017 launch came at a pivotal time for the company as it sought to recover from the Wii U’s commercial failure. The Switch’s record-breaking sales demonstrate how effectively Nintendo rebounded from that setback.