Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter is optimistic that Nintendo Switch will be successful, predicting that the console’s sales will effortlessly outperform Wii U in the first year.
Saying that the price was “ok” given the technology that is packed into it, he praised the software line-up but warned that Nintendo needed to make sure that they could maintain momentum moving forward with both first and third-party support.
“I think that Switch is priced ok. There is a lot there for the $299. It’s slightly less expensive than the Wii U was at launch. I think that the control scheme, the tablet, the docking station and the ability to play on [the] television is more intuitive, more kind of normal gaming controls than we had with the Wii U,” he shared in this week’s Pachter Factor episode on SIFTD.
“I think a lot of people didn’t understand the GamePad with Wii U. Pricing is ok, game control scheme makes sense. I think the software line-up is better. I’d have to go back and look, and count the number of first-party titles that were launched with the Wii U, but it seems to me like there’s more first-party titles and a lot more third-party titles, it sounds like, that are interesting in the launch window. I think that Switch will probably start out better.
“Wii U sold 3.9 million units in its first year. I think Switch does about double that. I’d say around 7 million, possibly 8 million units. I think the launch in March is smart. So yes, I think better than Wii U. Time will tell if we get enough third-party support to keep the momentum going. But I think early momentum will be strong, and I think Switch will be successful. ”
He added wryly: “Look, nobody has a Wii U. So, I think you’re going to get everybody who never bought a Wii U, plus… I think it’s the second console in the household.”
Nintendo Switch will launch worldwide on Friday 3rd March, priced at £279.99 ($299.99).
