Nintendo Switch overtakes the DS to become Japan's best-selling console ever

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The system has sold a total of 33.34 million units in the region

Mario
(Image credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo Switch is still flying off store shelves in Japan, so much so that it's just become the best-selling gaming system of all time in the region.

As spotted by VGC, Nintendo's latest financial report has revealed that as of December 31, 2023, total sales of Nintendo's hybrid console - including the original Switch system, the OLED model, and Switch Lite - have reached a whopping 33,340,000 in Japan. This puts it ahead of the company's handheld offering, the Nintendo DS and its numerous versions, which previously held the top spot with 32,990,000 units sold.

Sure, it still has a ways to go, but the Switch is likely to continue selling well for the foreseeable thanks to a strong line-up of games in 2024 and beyond, from exclusives like Mario vs. Donkey Kong and Luigi's Mansion 2 HD to highly anticipated third-party titles such as Hollow Knight: Silksong. Also, with the hardware getting on in years, Nintendo could potentially offer some tantalizing deals on its current console to drive higher sales numbers.

Nintendo hasn't as of yet announced or even hinted that it's working on any new hardware, though there have been plenty of rumors surrounding the subject, the latest being that in a survey asking over 3,000 developers what platform they're currently developing for, 8% said they're working on projects for a Nintendo Switch successor.

For more titles making their way to Switch in the near future, check out our guide to upcoming Nintendo Switch games. 

Anne-Marie Ostler
Anne-Marie Ostler
Freelance Writer

Originally from Ireland, I moved to the UK in 2014 to pursue a Games Journalism and PR degree at Staffordshire University. Following that, I've freelanced for GamesMaster, Games TM, Official PlayStation Magazine and, more recently, Play and GamesRadar+. My love of gaming sprang from successfully defeating that first Goomba in Super Mario Bros on the NES. These days, PlayStation is my jam. When not gaming or writing, I can usually be found scouring the internet for anything Tomb Raider related to add to my out of control memorabilia collection.