Nintendo is gearing up for an electrifying launch of its highly anticipated Switch 2, with forecasts predicting an impressive 15 million unit sales by the end of this financial year. With the console set to debut next month, fans can barely contain their excitement.
According to Nintendo’s financial report, the company aims for 15 million Switch 2 consoles and 45 million software sales by March 2026. This is notable, especially considering that the original Switch sold 14.87 million units in its inaugural year (Q4 FY17 – Q3 FY18). Clearly, Nintendo is betting on the Switch 2 to outpace its predecessor right out of the gate!
While analysts initially anticipated sales exceeding 20 million units, Nintendo’s admission that demand is “far surpassing expectations” has led to warnings of potential stock shortages. Moreover, external factors such as Trump’s tariffs in the U.S. could further complicate the sales landscape.
Turning our attention to the original Switch, it’s no surprise that hardware sales are down by 31.2% year-on-year, while software dropped by 22.2%. This decline is expected as the console approaches its life cycle’s end and the focus shifts to its successor.
To date, lifetime sales for the original Switch stand at 152.12 million units — just shy of the DS’s sales figure of 154.02 million. Usage slightly dipped from 129 million to 128 million, but the numbers remain impressive.
Among the latest game releases, Super Mario Party Jamboree has taken the spotlight, selling an incredible 7.48 million units, making it the fastest-selling title in the series on Switch. With a robust lifetime sales figure of 20.1 million for the original Super Mario Party, Jamboree is poised for even more success with a Switch 2 upgrade in the pipeline.
Other notable titles released last fiscal year include The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom with 3.7 million sales, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door at 1.9 million, and Luigi’s Mansion 2 and Donkey Kong Country Returns, both around 1 million each.
As for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, it continues to skyrocket with an additional 6.2 million copies sold this financial year, bringing its lifetime sales to a staggering 68.2 million. This sets a challenging bar for the flagship launch title for Switch 2, Mario Kart World.
Interestingly, digital sales have surged by 3.3% year-on-year, with 62.9% of software sales now coming through digital channels. Traditionally, Nintendo has leaned heavily on physical sales, but this trend signals a shift, especially with the Switch 2’s reliance on digital downloads for many third-party titles.
Lastly, Nintendo has provided an update confirming that Pokémon Legends Z-A is slated for a “late 2025” release alongside Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, both set to reach fans on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. With these juicy titles on the horizon, the gaming community has plenty to look forward to.
Feel free to incorporate any visually engaging images or graphics of the Switch 2 as well, which will enhance the excitement and showcase its features to gamers!
