Nintendo Switch 2 will overtake PS5 as ‘primary partner’ for third party games predict analysts

Should Sony be worried? (Nintendo/Sony)

A prominent analyst group is more optimistic about the Switch 2 than even Nintendo themselves and predicts 100 million sales in little more than four years.

Back in the 80s, Nintendo’s first home console, the NES, was the number one destination for all third party video games. But even by the time of its successor, the SNES, that iron grip was failing, at least when it came to big Western publishers like EA.

The N64 was largely ignored by Western companies, in favour of the PlayStation, and ever since Nintendo consoles have had a reputation for poor support from third party publishers. But an analyst group suggests that’s all about to change for the Nintendo Switch 2.

‘DFC forecasts that by the end of 2029 the Switch 2 will have sold over 100 million units, making it the leading console system by a wide margin,’ reads a new report from DFC Intelligence. ‘The next few years could see Nintendo for the first time becoming the primary partner for third party game publishers.’

Clearly those analysts don’t remember the NES days, but they do take a very optimistic view of the Switch 2’s potential, with much less conservative estimates for the Switch 2’s initial sales than Nintendo themselves (Nintendo is always very conservative about that sort of thing).

‘The Nintendo Switch 2 is arguably the most important product launch in video game history’, says the report. ‘Not only does DFC expect it to be the fastest-selling console system ever, but it has the potential to lift a video game industry that has been grappling with product delays, rising costs, and economic uncertainty.‘

The analysts predict that the delay of GTA 6 will benefit the launch of the Switch 2 by not stealing the limelight this year, while at the same time denying the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S a previously expected boost at Christmas – giving Nintendo a major opening.

‘The Nintendo Switch 2 is now the key driver of industry growth for 2025,’ says the report, which predicts that the Switch 2 will ensure growth for the video games industry this year, and GTA 6 will do the same next year.

‘Switch 2, along with the growth of mobile PC game devices, is redefining the landscape of the video game industry. Nintendo can no longer be considered as playing in its own separate space,’ suggests DFC.

‘With the Switch 2, Nintendo is positioning itself as a central player in the broader console and PC gaming ecosystem.’

Whether that’s how Nintendo themselves see the situation is hard to say, as while they did emphasise a number of third party games during the Nintendo Direct in April – with titles from companies as diverse as Square Enix and CD Projekt – a number of notable publishers were not represented, most obviously Microsoft and Ubisoft.

Activision’s Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 has subsequently been confirmed for Switch 2, so it may be that other publishers simply haven’t made their commitment clear yet, but if the Switch 2 is as successful as DFC is predicting then it will certainly attract more third party support as time goes on.

By 2029 the PlayStation 6 and next gen Xbox should be at least a year old but if the Switch 2 really has reached a userbase of 100 million by then, it will be impossible for any publisher to ignore.

GTA 6’s delay definitely helps Nintendo (Rockstar Games)

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