Nintendo Switch Sales Could Eclipse Wii According To GameStop Exec
Nintendo deserves credit for recognizing there would be a market for a hybrid game console, one that can be docked in the living room for playing games on the big screen TV and played on-the-go via its built-in LCD panel. There was skepticism leading up the Switch's launch as to whether the market would be receptive to such a dual-purpose design, but if Nintendo had any concerns, they were put to rest when its newest console became the fastest selling system in its history. As to what the future holds, Eric Bright, senior director of merchandising for GameStop, believes the Switch has a fighting chance of usurping the Wii altogether in sales.
The Switch already has, in terms of having the most successful launch. Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime made it known notched more sales in its first two days of availability than any other console Nintendo has ever launched, including the Wii, which previously held the record. He did not offer up any hard numbers, though an unofficial tally pegs Switch sales at 1.5 million units after just two weeks, including half a million sold in the United States.
"The Nintendo Switch is off to a start right now that it could possibly eclipse the Wii. Initial sales on this have been phenomenal," Bright told Game Rant in an interview. "I can't give straight numbers, but I can say we're seeing one of the highest attach rates of software and accessories to a device that we've seen in a long time."
Of course, Nintendo has a long way to go before the Switch can threaten the Wii for sales dominance. Nintendo's Wii console has sold 100 million units to date, whereas the Nintendo projects its Switch system will reach 40 million over the next four years. That still leaves a 60 million gap, assuming Nintendo's projection is spot on.
That said, Nintendo's outlook could be on the conservative side. The company only anticipated selling 2 million Switch consoles by the end of the March, but if the unofficial tally is correct, it will blow by that mark by the time April 1 rolls around, no fooling. It's also been reported that Nintendo recently doubled up on its production of Switch consoles to 16 million units for its fiscal year starting April 2017.
Switch sales have been bolstered by the newest Zelda game, Breath of the Wild, which is receiving widespread praise from around the web. Nintendo also has some a strong lineup planned, including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which comes out at the end of next month.
