Survey on Nintendo Switch Ownership Among Current High School Students in the Reiwa Era!

After school, if you look at elementary school children...

You often see a circle forming around a Nintendo Switch.

Phrases like "Let's play Super Smash Bros.!" or "Wanna play Mario Kart?" fly around—

a common scene across Japan, making the Switch a must-have item for elementary students.

But how many of these students continue playing Nintendo Switch into high school?

And what is the ownership rate among current high schoolers, who now have more entertainment options beyond gaming?

To answer these questions, Wakamono Research—a marketing information site targeting teens and current high school students—

(https://wakamono-research.co.jp/media/)

conducted a nationwide survey on "Nintendo Switch ownership rates" among current high school students (both genders).

Here, we present some of the results.

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【For Businesses】

Surveys on teens and Gen Z like this article can be conducted for your company's products and services.

・Want to use authentic teen/Gen Z voices in product development?

・Looking for "viral data" to use in PR?

・Want to create media-attractive campaigns?

At Wakamono Research, we can comprehensively design everything from "survey → article creation → media exposure."

In fact, we've had cases where PR using survey data led to media coverage and social media spread.

Would you like to co-create a "viral survey"?

▶ Results and inquiries here

contact@wakamono-research.co.jp

▶ Wakamono Research Inc. Official Website

https://wakamono-research.co.jp/

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【Over 80% of Male High School Students Own a Switch!】

First, we conducted a survey asking male high school students nationwide: "Do you own a Nintendo Switch?"

82.7% answered "Yes."

This reveals that over 80% of male high schoolers still own a Nintendo Switch.

The most common reason given by those who own one was:

"Because I love games"

"I've loved games since elementary school"

"I love cutting-edge games"

—straightforward responses from self-proclaimed "game lovers."

For these students, owning a Switch is so normal that asking "Why do you have one?" seems almost unnecessary.

Other notable responses cited specific games rather than the console itself:

"To play Pokémon"

"Because I love Splatoon"

"To play Splatoon and Dragon Quest games"

"Because I wanted to play my favorite games"

This suggests that for many, the desire to play specific software comes before the decision to buy the hardware.

Some male students cited parental or Santa-funded purchases:

"Because my parents bought it for me"

"Got it for Christmas"

"Received it from Santa"

"Bought when I was in elementary school"

"Got it right after release"

This indicates that for some, the Switch appeared at home without active decision-making—

perhaps feeling like just one of many household electronics.

Among those who likely bought it in elementary school, common reasons included:

"Because everyone had one"

"Everyone owns it"

"It's the standard gaming console for this generation"

"I bought it when it was popular"

This "everyone has it" mentality is widespread.

Owning a Switch may now feel as essential as having a school uniform—

one of the "three sacred treasures" for Reiwa-era boys.

On the other hand, among the 17.3% of male students who answered "No," common reasons included:

"I only play PC games"

"I have a smartphone"

"Smartphone is enough"

—highlighting that smartphone ownership reduces the perceived need for a Switch.

Additionally, some cited:

"Family circumstances"

"It would interfere with my studies"

—indicating that home environment or academic priorities are barriers.

Families that believe "playing games means not studying" still exist, as they always have.

The most frequent response, however, was:

"I don't have money"

"I can't afford it"

"No money to spend on a game console"

—showing financial constraints are a major hurdle.

These students likely didn't have access to gaming devices even in elementary school

and may even be prohibited from part-time jobs.

Thus, unless deeply interested in games, owning a Switch simply isn't an option in their daily lives—

leading to an attitude of "I don't have a Switch, but that's fine."

【Female Ownership Rate at 68.1%—With Voices Like "Zero Interest in Games" and "Smartphone is King"】

Next, we surveyed female high school students nationwide with the same question.

68.1% answered "Yes."

This is about 15% lower than male students.

Looking at their reasons:

"Received as a birthday present"

"Birthday gift"

"Bought with parents for my birthday in elementary school"

"Received as a Christmas present in elementary school"

"Got it from Santa"

"Santa gave it to me"

—such responses were common.

At this point, the Switch is no longer just a "gaming device"—

it's become a "standard birthday and Christmas gift" for girls.

For many, the memory of "Santa gave it" is stronger than any active desire to own one.

Like boys, many girls cited specific games as reasons:

"To play Animal Crossing and Splatoon"

"Wanted it after playing Animal Crossing"

"To play Minecraft"

"Because I love Splatoon"

This suggests that, even before social influence, the key factor is "how many games do I want to play?"

Additionally, responses more common among girls than boys included:

"Got it during the pandemic"

"Bought it during COVID"

"It was popular during the pandemic"

For girls who couldn't go out or socialize at the time,

the Switch may have been nothing short of a "divine item."

Many girls played "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" during that period,

perhaps feeling that "while the world stood still, my island came alive."