
Nintendo Primed to Dominate Third-Party Game Publishing by 2029, Analyst Predicts
2025-05-15
Author: Benjamin
Nintendo Set for an Impressive Leap Forward
In an exciting forecast, an analyst firm predicts that Nintendo will emerge as the "primary partner for third-party game publishers" within the next five years, coinciding with the expected sales milestone of 100 million units for the upcoming Switch 2.
Switch 2: Higher Sales on the Horizon
According to DFC Intelligence's latest report, Nintendo is poised to exceed its own sales projections for the Switch 2, potentially selling 16 million units by March 2026 instead of the forecasted 15 million. With improvements in the supply chain, that number might soar to as high as 20 million.
A Track Record of Exceeding Expectations
Reflecting on past successes, DFC noted that Nintendo often adopts a conservative approach to forecasting. For instance, at the launch of the original Switch in 2017, the company estimated sales of 10 million units but ended up selling 15 million. This history bolsters confidence in their future sales projections.
Switch 2: The Heavyweight Champion of Upcoming Consoles?
As major titles like GTA 6 get pushed back to 2026, the anticipated Switch 2 will likely be the catalyst for video game spending this year, especially in Japan, where a competitively priced model is expected to attract gamers.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future
DFC forecasts that by the end of 2029, Switch 2 will surpass 100 million sales, establishing itself as the leading console in existence. This head start means that while rivals Sony and Microsoft prepare their next-gen consoles, Nintendo will already be capitalizing on a significant market advantage.
A Historic Journey
For context, the original Switch has sold an impressive 152 million units since its launch eight years ago. In contrast, the PlayStation 5 sits at approximately 74.9 million units after four and a half years, and the Xbox Series X/S is estimated around 30 million. Only a handful of console platforms have crossed the 100 million sales mark, with Nintendo accounting for more than half of those achievements, including iconic systems like the Game Boy, Wii, and DS.
Final Thoughts
With a solid strategy and a knack for captivating gamers, Nintendo is indeed on track to take center stage in the gaming world, ushering in a new era where it dominates partnerships with third-party publishers and continues to redefine the gaming experience.