nintendo is a Direct Competitor, and Microsoft & Sony Know It
For the past two generations, I’ve noticed a consistent narrative from Microsoft and Sony leadership: that Nintendo occupies a unique market space and isn’t a direct competitor.While this might have held some weight during the Wii U’s struggles, it’s demonstrably false since the launch of the Switch in 2017. Nintendo has been undeniably dominant, both in sales and cultural impact.
Increasingly, Microsoft and Sony frame their competition as being with broader entertainment options – TikTok, streaming services, movies, and books - all vying for consumers’ limited free time. If that’s the case, nintendo absolutely deserves to be at the top of their competitive rankings. Consider the hours spent by gamers on the Switch (and now the Switch 2) – hours that would likely have been dedicated to PlayStation or Xbox if Nintendo hadn’t offered such a compelling option.
My own experience illustrates this point. I personally own over 250 games on the Switch,the vast majority of wich are indie titles available on other platforms. I chose the Switch specifically for its hybrid handheld/TV gaming experience, a key differentiator. Without that option, that spending would have gone directly into either the PlayStation or Xbox ecosystem.
Nintendo’s success over the last decade has been remarkable, and shows no signs of slowing. Yet, microsoft and Sony continue to downplay the overlap in their businesses. While a more amicable public relationship between the three console giants is welcome, it’s strange to see Nintendo’s dominance consistently overlooked by its competitors.
Ultimately, Nintendo is competing for the same finite resources – time, money, and attention – as Microsoft and Sony. It doesn’t matter that they prioritize different approaches to gaming; they’re all vying for the same consumer base. To suggest otherwise is simply inaccurate.
