Switch Dominates Next-Gen Console Predictions

Despite not yet being released, DFC Intelligence projects Nintendo's Switch 2 to be the top-selling next-gen console. Their 2024 Video Game Market Report forecasts sales exceeding 15-17 million units in 2025, and over 80 million by 2028. This makes Nintendo the projected "clear winner" and "console market leader."

This success is attributed to its anticipated 2025 release, giving it a significant head start over competitors Microsoft and Sony, whose next-gen consoles are not expected until 2028. DFC Intelligence suggests only one of these later releases will achieve substantial success. The report highlights the PlayStation's strong IP portfolio and loyal fanbase as potential advantages for a hypothetical "PS6."

The Switch's immense popularity is undeniable, with its US lifetime sales surpassing those of the PlayStation 2, as reported by Circana. This achievement comes despite a reported 3% year-over-year sales decline.

DFC Intelligence's report paints a positive outlook for the gaming industry as a whole. Following a two-year slump, growth is predicted to resume at a strong pace through the end of the decade, with 2025 anticipated to be a particularly strong year. This is largely fueled by the Switch 2's launch and the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI. The global gaming audience is projected to surpass 4 billion players by 2027. The rise of mobile gaming, esports, and gaming influencers further contributes to increased hardware sales across PC and consoles.