According to a new report, Nintendo hardware and game sales continue to hold a lead over the rest of the pack in Japan following a 19-year winning streak. Famitsu has published its annual report on game software and hardware sales and Nintendo is the reigning champ for both categories. This might come as a surprise for some in the West where Sony or Microsoft have either a larger advertising presence with game or next-gen console launches or increased coverage for reviews but Nintendo is well known for hitting the mark with its lower-costing family-oriented hardware and games. The company also has a reputation for taking risks with different hardware configurations and while they usually have the most powerful hardware it does manage to become popular in its own right.
2023 Hardware Sales
The latest report shows that the Nintendo Switch, including the Lite and original model, has simply crushed cumulative sales for Sony’s Playstation 4 and 5 consoles, including Pro and Digital editions, combined. Microsoft’s Xbox Series X|S is barely noticeable on the chart but it has gained significant traction in 2023.
| Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 5 | PlayStation 4 | Xbox Series X|S | |
| Release Date | March 3, 2017 | November 12, 2020 | February 22, 2014 | November 10, 2020 |
| Estimated Annual Sales | 4,062,609 | 2,587,468 | 73,292 | 141,712 |
| Estimated Cumulative Sales | 31,786,656 | 4,964,857 | 9,491,059 | 540,107 |
2023 Game Software Sales
Famitsu does clarify that its game software sales figures are based on package sales only but those also include sales with download cards but it does not include sales figures from online purchases. That being said, given Sony’s and Microsoft’s, plus other online stores such as Steam, Epic, and GOG, this list could potentially be quite different if those numbers were taken into account. As such it should be noted that every game in the following list is a Nintendo Switch game.
Top Ten Games Sales in Japan Per Famitsu:
1st place “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom”
2nd place “Super Mario Bros. Wonder”
3rd place “Pikmin 4”
4th place “Pokemon Scarlet Violet”
5th place “Momotaro Dentetsu World ~ The earth revolves around hope!” ~”
6th place “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe”
7th place “Kirby of the Stars Wii Deluxe”
8th place “Dragon Quest Monsters 3: Journey of the Demon Prince and the Elf”
9th place “Splatoon 3”
10th place “Super Mario RPG”
VGC has reported, that according to Famitsu’s past reports going back to 2005, Nintendo’s physical software sales have consistently been at the top of the charts. Before Nintendo’s reign, games Sony’s PlayStation 2 was at the lead in 2004 with eight out of the ten spots. Sony’s PSP has been the only real contender on the mobile front having beat Nintendo out once in the last 19 years. From its DS/3DS and various Gameboy models to the Nintendo Switch, it is apparent that the company has a focus on mobile gaming hardware versus just chasing the most powerful hardware configurations possible like its rivals usually do. It will be interesting to see if Nintendo can maintain its hold in this sector now that the Steam Deck has re-opened the doors to wider competition and more electronic manufacturers are producing other gaming handhelds.