According to analysts, Nintendo’s Switch has become the de-facto game console in China, selling over 4 million units since 2017. Although the Switch was officially launched in the country in late 2019 by Nintendo’s partner, Tencent, the bulks of the sales still came through the grey market.
According to official figures (Tencent), the Nintendo Switch has sold approximately 1 million units since the launch at the end of 2019. This figure is still more than what both the Xbox One and PS4 consoles sold collectively in the Chinese market, making the Switch the market leader in the domestic console industry.
China’s console market is slated to grow significantly in the coming years leading up to 2024, doubling the yearly revenue compared to 2019. Unlike the West and Japan, where consoles already have a home base, China is a largely uncultivated space and as such, all console makers will be looking to establish a foothold in the country.
However, considering the country’s already mobile-centric gaming market, the Switch will have an advantage. Pair that with a local distribution partner in the form of Tencent and it puts the console much ahead of its rivals.
The Switch is expected to sell as many as 24 million units by the end of the first quarter of 2021 (globally).
