Gaming market research firm DFC Intelligence forecasts the Nintendo Switch 2 to dominate next-gen console sales, projecting 15-17 million units sold in its first year. This impressive prediction surpasses all competitors, even before its release. Read on for details! Switch 2: The Predicted "Clear Winner"
Projected Sales: 80 Million Units by 2028
DFC Intelligence's 2024 Video Game Market Report, released December 17th, names the Nintendo Switch 2 the "clear winner" in the next-gen console race. Nintendo is predicted to lead the console market, outpacing Microsoft and Sony. This projection stems from the Switch 2's anticipated earlier release (rumored for 2025) and limited initial competition. Sales are estimated at 15-17 million units in 2025, soaring to over 80 million by 2028. The report even suggests Nintendo might face manufacturing challenges due to high demand.
While Sony and Microsoft are reportedly developing handheld consoles, these projects appear to be in early stages. DFC Intelligence anticipates new consoles from these companies by 2028. However, with a potential three-year head start (unless a surprise release occurs in 2026), the Switch 2 is expected to maintain its market dominance. The report suggests only one post-Switch 2 console will achieve significant success, potentially a hypothetical "PS6," leveraging PlayStation's established player base and strong game franchises.
Nintendo's Switch is already incredibly popular, recently surpassing the PlayStation 2's lifetime US sales. Circana (formerly NPD) analyst Mat Piscatella announced on BlueSky that the Switch has sold 46.6 million units in the US, making it the second best-selling console in US history, behind only the Nintendo DS. This achievement is notable despite a reported 3% year-over-year sales decline.
A Booming Video Game Industry
DFC Intelligence's report paints a positive outlook for the gaming industry. Founder and CEO David Cole states that after a two-year slump, the industry is poised for strong growth through the end of the decade, having expanded over 20 times in the last three decades. 2025 is predicted to be a particularly strong year, driven by new releases like the Switch 2 and Grand Theft Auto VI.
The gaming audience is projected to exceed 4 billion players by 2027. The rise of "high-end gaming-on-the-go," esports, and gaming influencers contributes to increased hardware sales across PCs and consoles.
