The PlayStation 2 continues to hold its title as the best-selling gaming console in history, with over 160 million units sold globally. However, the Nintendo Switch is making significant strides, coming closer to that legendary milestone each month. A former executive from Sony believes that if the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 doesn’t interfere, it may just surpass the PS2’s sales record.
The rivalry between Nintendo and PlayStation has been fierce for years, layered with notable history like the failed Nintendo PlayStation collaboration. Recently, this competition has intensified, particularly in terms of sales figures. Not long ago, Sony disclosed that its PS2 had sold an additional 5 million units, successfully raising the benchmark. In response, Nintendo announced that the Switch has now exceeded 150 million units sold, including both the OLED and Lite models, meaning it needs only 10 million more to dethrone Sony.
In a recent conversation with Destin Legarie, former PlayStation head Shawn Layden stated that the “record is out there for the breaking.” He added, “I don’t know. I think the Switch 2 will have a lot to do with that [record] – depending on the price point it comes out at. If it’s super competitive to the current market, maybe you get people switching over faster than if there’s, you know, when you have two consoles out from the same manufacturer but the delta is more than $150 and getting people to move is hard.”
The original Nintendo Switch is currently priced around $299 at major retailers, although it’s often available for less during sales events. If the Switch 2 adheres closely to this pricing, Layden’s point stands: many consumers may opt for the newer model instead.
Despite this, predictions suggest that the Switch 2 might launch with a price tag ranging between $400 and $500, making the original Switch a more appealing choice for budget-conscious buyers, especially if Nintendo considers a significant end-of-life price reduction.
Nintendo has discreetly confirmed the existence of “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games,” differentiating them from console exclusives after the big revelation regarding Virtual Game Cards.