The Nintendo Switch sticks around—usually between six and ten years—outlasting most loading screens and some players’ patience. With over 150 million units sold, regular first-party hits like Zelda, and innovative models like the OLED and Lite, it’s clearly built to last. Nintendo keeps releasing games, even as rumors swirl of a successor. So, whether docked or in handheld mode, it’s not heading for retirement just yet. Curious about what keeps it ticking so long?
Longevity isn’t always a word you associate with modern gaming consoles, but the Nintendo Switch seems determined to prove otherwise. Released back in March 2017, the Switch has now outlasted every other Nintendo home console between launches, clocking over 2,687 days without a true successor in sight. That’s nearly seven and a half years—long enough for two Olympic Games or, if you’re Nintendo, several Mario titles that never seem to lose their shine.
The actual hardware is surprisingly stubborn. With decent care—keep the dust out, avoid the infamous Joy-Con drift—a Switch can last between 6 to 10 years before showing any serious performance hiccups. This puts it on par with the best of its peers, and, let’s face it, way longer than most people’s patience for loading screens. As of 2024, units shipped reached 150.86 million, making it the third-best selling console of all time, which is a testament to both its durability and widespread popularity. For comparison, the PlayStation 2 remains the only console to surpass Switch sales, highlighting the Switch’s remarkable reach.
It helps that Nintendo keeps things fresh. The Switch has seen multiple refreshes: the portable-only Lite, the screen-popping OLED, and the original hybrid design that lets players bounce from couch to commute in seconds. This mix guarantees there’s a Switch for everyone, whether you’re docked on a big screen or hiding under the covers late at night.
Games also keep rolling in. First-party blockbusters—think Mario, Zelda, and Animal Crossing—just keep selling, and third-party developers are still on board. Even indie game makers love the Switch, which is probably why the eShop feels like a bottomless pit of quirky gems and pixel art adventures.
Nintendo isn’t in a hurry to move on either. They plan to pump out new software through March 2025, and analysts suspect the Switch will stick around for at least a couple years after its eventual successor drops.
The huge install base, plus a trend in the industry toward longer console cycles, makes this less of a gamble and more of a safe bet.