Despite not yet being released, DFC Intelligence, a video game market research firm, projects Nintendo's Switch 2 to be the best-selling next-gen console. Their 2024 Video Game Market Report and Forecast, released December 17th, predicts sales exceeding 15-17 million units in 2025 and over 80 million by 2028. This positions Nintendo as the console market leader, surpassing Microsoft and Sony.
The Switch 2's projected success stems from its anticipated 2025 release, giving it a significant head start over competitors. DFC Intelligence suggests that Microsoft and Sony, while developing their own handheld consoles, are likely to release new consoles by 2028. This three-year gap provides a substantial advantage to the Switch 2, with the report indicating only one of the subsequent consoles will achieve significant success. The PlayStation 6 is highlighted as a potential contender, leveraging PlayStation's established player base and strong intellectual properties.
Further bolstering the forecast is the Switch's remarkable success. Circana (formerly NPD) data reveals the Switch has surpassed the PlayStation 2 in lifetime US sales, ranking second only to the Nintendo DS. This achievement is noteworthy despite a reported 3% decline in Switch yearly sales.
DFC Intelligence's report paints a positive outlook for the video game industry as a whole. After a period of decline, the industry is poised for renewed growth, with 2025 anticipated as a particularly strong year. This resurgence is attributed to new product releases, including the Switch 2 and Grand Theft Auto VI, which are expected to boost consumer spending. The global gaming audience is projected to surpass 4 billion players by 2027, fueled by the increasing popularity of portable gaming and the growth of esports and gaming influencers. This expanding market is also driving hardware sales for both PCs and consoles.
