Nintendo's latest console, the Switch has been ramping up in popularity since its release in March. With sales performance staying strong and the pool of compatible games increasing, Nintendo has raised its forecast of Switch sales by April to nearly 17 million units.

Based on the console's very successful recent performance in the market, the Japanese company is expecting to ship 14 million units of the Switch within one financial year, which covers April 2017 to March 2018.

Previously, the company has forecasted 10 million sold console units within this time frame, but it looks like the surge in the console's popularity is set to catapult the sales numbers to clear that initial goal with ease.

When the Switch was launch in March, it sold 2.74 million units in the first four weeks. Adding this figure to the projected 14 million sales means that if the company's forecast holds true, the console will have sold 16.74 million units in 13 months.

In comparison, Nintendo's previous generation home console, the Wii U, managed to sell over 13.56 million units over its entire lifespan. This means that the Switch is set to ship more units in one year than the Wii U did in five years.

With a couple of giant Nintendo game titles made exclusively for it and the number of third party games being made compatible with the console continually increasing, the sales numbers for the Switch is only expected to soar.

When the Switch was released in March, Nintendo also released the exclusive title "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," which has garnered acclaim from both critics and video game fans. The game is even regarded by many as one of the greatest games ever made.

Last week, Nintendo released the latest Super Mario game, "Super Mario Odyssey." It, too has received wide acclaim for its gameplay, creativity, and originality.

Other third party titles, like "Doom," "Skyrim," and "Wolfenstein 2" are also set to get a Nintendo Switch version.