In concrete terms, the Japanese firm sold “only” 3.43 million Switches over the second quarter of 2022, compared to 4.45 million twelve months earlier. The loss is dry: – 1.02 million machines.
The Switch Lite in free chute
The three versions major Switch products have contrasting trajectories, as shown in the table below:
| Switch models | Sales April to June 2021 | Sales April to June 2022 | Evolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | 3,31 millions | 1,32 million | -60% |
| Nintendo Switch Modèle OLED | – | 1,52 million | – |
| Nintendo Switch Lite | 1,14 million | 0,59 million | -48,4% |
| TOTAL | 4,45 millions | 3,43 millions | -22,9% |
It’s logic. Launched in October 2021, the Switch Model OLED makes a significant breakthrough. With a larger screen, more contrast, brighter, it replaces the “classic” Switch, whose quarterly sales are collapsing (-60%). More surprisingly, the Switch Lite, the portable edition, the one that refuses to connect to the TV, is experiencing a rout severe (-48.4%) bordering on inexplicable.
The different Switch models: which one to choose, how to recognize them?
In terms of explanations, Mario’s father repeatedly invokes the global shortage of semiconductors when it comes to justifying the general decline of the Switch. The message is omnipresent in its quarterly report.
Sales of games at half mast … except those of Nintendo
Switch games are also down significantly: 41.41 million units sold between April and June 2022, compared to 45.29% a year earlier. Either a decrease of 8,6%. In this context, the argument of the shortage of semiconductors does not apply. The only publisher to pull out of the game is none other than… Nintendo. Four of its cartridges recorded phenomenal sales in the second quarter of 2022:
| Switch Games | Sales April to June 2022 | Sales since release |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Sports | 4,84 millions | 4.84 million (April 29, 2022) |
| Mario Strikers Battle League | 1,91 million | 1.91 million (June 10, 2022) |
| Kirby and the Forgotten World | 1,88 million | 4.53 million (March 25, 2022) |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | 1,48 million | 46.8 million (April 28, 2017) |
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe the indestructible
While other publishers are struggling to release successful titles on Switch, Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to be more successful than ever. Launched on April 28, 2017, Nintendo’s hit now accumulates 46,8 millions copies distributed on a worldwide fleet of 111 million Switches. The ratio is dizzying.
History of exploiting the phenomenon, Nintendo offers from August 4 a second wave of new circuits which join the Additional Circuits Pass. To obtain these eight successive waves, you must either pay a single payment (€24.99) or subscribe to the Nintendo Switch Online + Additional Pack online service (€39.99 for 12 months).
Other big house releases
While the lack of hits from third-party publishers is certainly impacting Switch sales, Nintendo is staying the course. The triumphant arrival of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (July 29) will soon be followed by:
- Splatoon 3 (September 9, 2022)
- Bayonetta 3 (October 28, 2022)
- Pokémon Ecarlate (November 18, 2022)
- Pokémon Purple (November 18, 2022)
The return of Zelda in 2023
For the sequel to The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, it is necessary to wait until spring 2023.