Bark
Member
Shush, don't ruin the cope.
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The Game Business - Nintendo Switch 2 sales stumble over Christmas
- Thread starter jm89
- Start date
Poppinfresh
Banned
The average consumer does not care about Keycards.
J Required
Gold Member
The record-breaking sales of the Switch 2 were largely driven by availability. For the first time in console history, we saw ample supply combined with a truly simultaneous worldwide launch. That combination simply never existed before for any system. I'd even argue that if PlayStation had managed this level of supply and coordination at launch for any console after the PS1, its launch numbers would have been even bigger than anything Switch 2 achieved.
I know this is a controversial take, but Nintendo "consoles" have never had the same kind of global, mass-market appeal that PlayStation has historically enjoyed. And once Nintendo fully steps into premium pricing territory alongside Sony and Microsoft, that's typically when they begin to feel pressure on sales.
That said, the Switch 2 will undoubtedly be extremely successful. I just don't believe it will match the lifetime sales of its predecessor nor come close to it. I have my own estimate for where it will land—not that it really matters to anyone else here.
I know this is a controversial take, but Nintendo "consoles" have never had the same kind of global, mass-market appeal that PlayStation has historically enjoyed. And once Nintendo fully steps into premium pricing territory alongside Sony and Microsoft, that's typically when they begin to feel pressure on sales.
That said, the Switch 2 will undoubtedly be extremely successful. I just don't believe it will match the lifetime sales of its predecessor nor come close to it. I have my own estimate for where it will land—not that it really matters to anyone else here.
Panajev2001a
GAF's Pleasant Genius
Screen is now in greyscale only. Scores of fans flood the streets to cheer for how Nintendo is embracing its heritage and driving games development costs down and should be praised just as they announce they are raising game prices for sustainability
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diffusionx
Gold Member
this is just factually untrue
kruis
Exposing the sinister cartel of retailers who allow companies to pay for advertising space.
This is probably the main reason why sales are stalling. It's easy enough to convince Nintendo Fans For Life-adults in their forties to buy a new console, but parents with kids see consoles as a curse. It's not a one and done purchase, nope, their kids keep asking for new games when their tired of the old ones. And they'll have to buy one for every child in their family.
In my experience parents absolutely loved to pirate games because otherwise that (handheld) games console was going to be a money drain that would ruin their finances and sanity.
cireza
Member
Well, it seems that the few ones are not moving the needle. Most are game key cards anyway.
Chittagong
Gold Member
Good. Nintendo works always best when challenged.
The Switch 2 was peak lazy Nintendo. An expensive console with extremely mediocre first party games (to Nintendo's standards). Nothing must have, none of the magic of Switch, Wii or DS.
Today, they announced new, colourful joycons. Well, black ones again, but with a new colour rim.
The best hope I have is a 3DS type reversal. Slash the price a bit, bring in a couple of heavy hitters, cash in on an exclusive mainline Pokemon. The beginning is pretty similar to 3DS where the launch was extremely mediocre, albeit masked by initial demand from fans.
The Switch 2 was peak lazy Nintendo. An expensive console with extremely mediocre first party games (to Nintendo's standards). Nothing must have, none of the magic of Switch, Wii or DS.
Today, they announced new, colourful joycons. Well, black ones again, but with a new colour rim.
The best hope I have is a 3DS type reversal. Slash the price a bit, bring in a couple of heavy hitters, cash in on an exclusive mainline Pokemon. The beginning is pretty similar to 3DS where the launch was extremely mediocre, albeit masked by initial demand from fans.
Signalis
Member
I'm in the same boat. I can afford a Switch 2 easily and I really want one, but there is nothing really that makes it a must get at the moment. I ended up buy Metroid Prime 4 for Switch 1
diffusionx
Gold Member
nobody except nerds on the internet care about game key cards
ReyBrujo
Member
The casual audience probably prefers waiting to pick it up when cheaper, which considering Switch 1 and the chip shortage might never happen. Or maybe the fact that it's readily available at most locations before Christmas season made most of the Christmas sales be done beforehand (which was kind of a first for a console as they always had shortages leading to strong Christmas sales).
Dr. Samuel Hayden
Member
You mean Marvel Prime 4 didn't draw people in?
FalconPunch
Member
Due to the economic conditions we're in, it's paramount to over deliver on value. It's hard to imagine a console with a worse value proposition than the Switch 2.
As a result, the sales will continue to trend downwards until that changes.
As a result, the sales will continue to trend downwards until that changes.
Eh, S1 is what? 150-200 less than S2?
I get maybe buying a S1 at this point for your young kid or something. But it's effectively at it's end of life...there were some cross gen things last year but none of the big stuff moving forward is likely to get a S1 version.
If you don't care about anything going forward, I guess a S1 makes sense. 150-200 extra to ensure you're able to play the next ~5-6 years of Nintendo games seems like a more reasonable play. Especially given hardware isn't going down in price anytime soon.
If the money is the problem I would just be buying neither of then.
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DonkeyPunchJr
World’s Biggest Weeb
Yeah just anecdotally it seems like kids aren't super excited about Switch 2.
My kids grew up with Switch but now they mostly play Minecraft and Roblox on PC, same with all their friends. We have a Switch 2 and they'll play Mario Kart World a bit here and there but that's it. They still use their old Switches more than the S2. (Even when I tell them they can play their old games on the S2)
My nephews also grew up with Switch. They just got a PS5 for Christmas
thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
I have no idea what that's supposed to even mean o.0
BennyBlanco
aka IMurRIVAL69
Yeah this is another big thing, kids just aren't as big a demographic for traditional console sales anymore. All of my friends kids just play trash like Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, etc. It's a different culture, they ask for v-bucks for Christmas instead of new games.
Adults are the main market for this thing atm, and adults don't need to wait for Christmas to get the console they want.
cireza
Member
So why exactly are Nintendo sending surveys about them, and are now providing more cart sizes to publishers ? Certainly not because nobody cares about them.
I collect VHS tapes
Banned
Oh that makes way more sense I read the article wrong
Baemono
Member
no it didn't
Or it's bad grammar and you meant « S1 launched when holidays were over »
EDIT: Sorry I'm late to the party
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touchfuzzy
Gold Member
The note being glossed over here is that Switch 1 continues to sell reasonably well and Nintendo's overall sales including both platforms was up.
You think Nintendo cares if people bought a Switch 1 instead of 2? A person who buys a Switch 1 today buys a Switch 2 tomorrow (not literally, you know what I mean though). As more and more exclusive games land for it, more and more people will see the need to upgrade and/or get pressured by their kids to do so.
You think Nintendo cares if people bought a Switch 1 instead of 2? A person who buys a Switch 1 today buys a Switch 2 tomorrow (not literally, you know what I mean though). As more and more exclusive games land for it, more and more people will see the need to upgrade and/or get pressured by their kids to do so.
Astral_lion02
Neo Member
France launch year:
Game Boy Advance (2001): 590k
Nintendo DS (2005): 782k
Nintendo 3DS (2011): 761k
Nintendo Switch (2017): 911k
The last time UK was the biggest market Nintendo market in Europe was in 2011.
AmuroChan
Member
I honestly don't pay much attention to the hardware sales since the margins are negligible relatively speaking. The metric I look at are software sales since that's the money maker.
leo-j
Member
"Lack of system seller is the issue"
Mario kart world bundle and EXCLUSIVE
Donkey Kong B ( best. Nintendo game since Tears)
Kirby air riders
Mario galaxy remastered
Metroid prime 4
Pokémon ZA
Bra what else do you want? Mario kart world will prob be the biggest game on the console too.
Mario kart world bundle and EXCLUSIVE
Donkey Kong B ( best. Nintendo game since Tears)
Kirby air riders
Mario galaxy remastered
Metroid prime 4
Pokémon ZA
Bra what else do you want? Mario kart world will prob be the biggest game on the console too.
TintoConCasera
I bought a sex doll, but I keep it inflated 100% of the time and use it like a regular wife
The only one on that list that I could have considered as system seller is Metroid Prime 4, and they fucked it up.
The rest aren't my jam. Pokemon is very low quality and I don't see anyone buying a console to play a remaster.
leo-j
Member
What I believe had a factor:
US economy is at one of its worst when it comes to spending. Console sales are down and so is spending overall.
Europe PlayStation push was very aggressive and the choice between a cheaper prime ps5 vs an expensive switch 2 was def a major issue for Nintendo.
Japan Nintendo is doing record numbers. No
Competition as the PS brand has not pushed a handheld there since the vita. And just got the ps5 okay price wise late into the gen.
Outside of Japan, Nintendo is being affected by many factors. Will it affect the long run in pushing past 100 M consoles? Possibly. I'd say we have to see how Nintendo responds, and more importantly how the market responds in the coming months / year . A bounce back is totally possible.
US economy is at one of its worst when it comes to spending. Console sales are down and so is spending overall.
Europe PlayStation push was very aggressive and the choice between a cheaper prime ps5 vs an expensive switch 2 was def a major issue for Nintendo.
Japan Nintendo is doing record numbers. No
Competition as the PS brand has not pushed a handheld there since the vita. And just got the ps5 okay price wise late into the gen.
Outside of Japan, Nintendo is being affected by many factors. Will it affect the long run in pushing past 100 M consoles? Possibly. I'd say we have to see how Nintendo responds, and more importantly how the market responds in the coming months / year . A bounce back is totally possible.
I would wait for December sales data, but if December comes lower then 800k this things is gonna fall of a cliff in western markets. Also ps5 is still super expensive for a system for being 5 years olds switch 1 competition was 199$ ps4 and 179$-199$ xbox one that was doing great Line up is pretty damn solid. The line up is pretty damn strong for a nintendo console as well.
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delirium trigger
Member
It's fucking Nintendo, they should have released a new Mario game at or around release.
TheGodfather07
Member
Well being cunty was always going to effect them eventually.
leo-j
Member
Mario kart world is the system seller. It's going to sail past 30 million copies before it's done. Donkey Kong is their best game since tears. And they literally dropped a 3D Mario remaster that did not exist on a platform for Over 10 years. A remaster like Mario kart 8, ended up selling switch consoles . Why not the switch 2? Def other factors are in play some of which I believe are the case in another post I shared earlier. Also sure to you Pokémon isn't a system seller, but it is. It's the best Pokémon game in years too.
Poppinfresh
Banned
How about not releasing two kart racers a couple of months apart?
How about an actual new Mario game instead of a Kart racer and a remaster?
How about Switch 2 patches to Xenoblade 1, 2, 3, & X, one of the biggest JRPG series and a Nintendo Exclusive?
How about releasing some Gamecube titles on the Virtual Console that people want to play? Wouldn't Metroid Prime 2 have made sense, since MP4 was the big holiday release?
Beyond that, DK, Pokemon, MP4, and the Zelda game were all solid releases.
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yea it crazy people saying this. mario kart world is Nintendo's GTA, then you have pokemon, mario galaxy remaster, and donkey kong is a pretty damn strong line up for nintendo.
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leo-j
Member
Except Mario kart world has or will outsell every game you listed. They have a system seller. And they are dropping games at a good pace , arguably as good as
they did with switch 1. Metroid prime 4, Mario kart world, Dk B, Pokémon za, Mario galaxy's, come on. There are other factors at play.
cireza
Member
How are these system sellers exactly ? Mario Kart is inferior to a 12 years old Wii U game, Kirby looks like jank, two old Mario games in an emulator, Switch 1 games.
The only one that looks decent is fucking Donkey Kong, but it doesn't even look that great to me.
This is not an exciting line-up in my opinion. And it's not the copy pasted Mario Tennis game that is going to change anything.
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MatrixReloaded101
Member
Plus the switch 2 is simply too expensive for what it is and the games are $80 on top of that.
I think in the end, the switch 2 will barely touch what the switch 1 sold if this pricing strategy continues.
Poppinfresh
Banned
You keep saying that in every reply, and it may or may not be true, but one game does not make a system.
There are plenty of people like me who don't give a shit about Mario Kart. The only reason I own it is that it came bundled with my Switch 2. I've played it maybe twice, and at this point, I've uninstalled it from my system and will likely never install it again.
The lineup so far has been strong, but Nintendo has really dropped the ball in some areas, which I outlined in my previous post.
Topher
Identifies as young
Spainnnnn
(US+JP)
Q4 2011 3DS ~4.85 m
Q4 2017 SW1 ~4.12 m
Q4 2025 SW2 ~3.43 m
I came here just for the Spain takes. Thanks guys
TintoConCasera
I bought a sex doll, but I keep it inflated 100% of the time and use it like a regular wife
We must have a very different idea of what system seller means.
For me, it means big game, a game I'd be playing for a long time and give me a great experience to justify the console price. BOTW felt like that for the Switch 1, but out of the games you talk about the only one that could count is DK Bananza but it doesn't look all that great (to me).
Sales will probably increase once they release (or just announce) the next mainline Zelda game. I just hope it's not another rehash of BOTW like TOTK was.
Baemono
Member
The biggest difference: the console is sold at like 350$ in Japan
Sethbacca
Member
They're using older Nvidia tech and not even an OLED screen. There's zero justification for this thing to be above $300-350. That's all before you take into account the gamecard shit, and no super compelling exclusives even for people who have been a fan of the brand since the mid 80s. DK looked alright but it's no system seller, and I'm not a fan of the FPS metroids so at the moment it's just not screaming "buy me".
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mario wonder really was a dud sales wise compared to mario on switch 1.
thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
I got my MK bundle for $50 off at Amazon
That's a good deal. But still, Sony/SIE had better sales promos over BF and the holidays, and that's obviously a big factor into them moving more units in America & Europe.
Even if Nintendo matched SIE's rates for the holidays in Europe, I doubt they'd of matched unit sales. Europe for Sony is a somewhat softer version of what Japan is for Nintendo.
MiguelItUp
Member
There's just so many variables. The cost of the hardware, the current library, etc.
Do I want one? I WANT to want one. But I sure as hell am not biting until there's more for me to chew on. Right now there's nothing that justifies buying the hardware for me.
Do I want one? I WANT to want one. But I sure as hell am not biting until there's more for me to chew on. Right now there's nothing that justifies buying the hardware for me.