3DS sold 383m games compared to the Switch's 350m. The Switch is lagging behind in hardware sales a bit too (55m vs 76m) but not by much. It's definitely selling faster given the shorter timeframe.
However, 3DS launched 9 years ago yet people are seriously comparing the sales between the two systems lol
On top of that, we're comparing a $300 system that only recently got a $200 option to a $250 flop that quickly dropped below $200 in shame and desperation. For much of its life, the 3DS has been in the $150 range, half the price of a standard Switch.
When compared to the bottom rungs of NIntendo's other systems, Switch is doing quite well. Time will tell if we have another Wii or DS on our hands. It could have an extremely long lifespan as a cheap $100-150 handheld after Nintendo moves on to their next strange experiment. There are certainly enough games for it already. Who knows?
In the Great Console War it is important to downplay anything that looks like success for the other companies.
Look at the XBOX reveal from yesterday. It was a 30 minute video with some upcoming games shown. Nothing more and nothing less.
Yet, people are acting like Microsoft personally shattered the hopes and dreams of everyone around the world.
It was an advertisement for upcoming video games that for some reason people wanted to watch for 30 minutes and then weep with joy over how amazing it all was. It's a fucking advert and it always was going to be no more than an advert. Calm down.
"Oh shit XBOX has announced some games? Better put a negative spin on it! It was just a video of some games! Boooring!"
"Nintendo announced decent sales figures? Better play that down ASAP! My Switch is collecting dust and the 3DS sold more and all the games have PS2 graphics."
"Sony's massively anticipated exclusive had some leaks! Better make sure I spoil the game for all those Sony fanboys who think their exclusives are so great. LOL 3rd person walking simulators amirite?"
What any sensible person really wants from the industry is tons of different consoles with tons of different games.
Then you can just ignore the stuff you don't want to play and enjoy the stuff you do want to play.
Company X is offering a handheld console but you don't like that? No worries, Company Y has you covered over here.
The dumbest thing is that each generation plays out the same way anyways.
Sony's exclusives carry them to millions of consoles sales.
Microsoft has less success but offers a solid alternative to Sony with some nice exclusives of their own.
Nintendo offers their own take on things with more family friendly content, or content that is distinctive from the usual AAA blockbuster stuff, and offers a decent handheld gaming experience.
PS5 will sell the most next gen.
XBOX will offer a solid alternative with Game Pass being a good affordable option.
They will be similar (probably pretty indistinguishable to most) in terms of power,
Nintendo will offer another alternative to these for people who may not be into what the other 2 are offering.
PC gaming will always be there for anyone who wants to really be able to have many, many, more options and possibilities.
Console Warriors will continue to fight their pointless fight through to the next gen in like 2030 where we will argue over who's streaming service is best.