Nintendo’s new Switch 2 console smashed sales records and raced off store shelves, with more than 3.5 million units sold in its first four days on sale. Major US retailers, including Walmart, GameStop, Target and Best Buy, quickly flashed “out of stock” notices online, showing a strong start for Nintendo’s first new gaming console in eight years. This early success positions Nintendo to meet its goal of selling 15 million Switch 2 units by the end of its fiscal year on March 31, 2026. Analysts, however, view that target as conservative, predicting ongoing high demand. “The market expected a record from Nintendo, and as it turns out, Nintendo delivered,” said Serkan Toto, CEO and founder of Kantan Games, a consultancy focused on the gaming sector. He added that all signs before launch pointed to robust interest, and he expects the company to surpass initial records in the weeks and months ahead. Nintendo may sell over 20 million Switch 2 units by March 2026 Toto projects more than 20 million Switch 2 sales during its first year on the market. David Gibson, a senior research analyst at MST Financial, shared that outlook, anticipating roughly 20 million units sold by March 2026. Released on June 5, the Switch 2 has drawn eager fans who lined up for hours outside Nintendo stores ahead of midnight openings. In a statement, Doug Bowser, president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America, said, “Fans around the world are showing their enthusiasm for Nintendo Switch 2 as an upgraded way to play at home and on the go.” He added that the company is grateful for the overwhelmingly positive reaction. Despite this enthusiastic reception, Tokyo-listed shares of Nintendo dipped 3.5% on Wednesday, according to LSEG data, even though they have climbed nearly 30% so far this year. Since the original Switch launched in early March 2017, Nintendo’s stock has increased by almost 5 times in value. Part of the excitement hinges on whether the Switch 2 can match the success of its predecessor. The first Switch sold 15 million units in its initial year and went on to move over 152 million consoles, making it the company’s second best-selling hardware ever, after the Nintendo DS. Supply concerns emerged almost immediately By midweek, the online shops of Walmart, GameStop, Target and Best Buy were all listing the Switch 2 as unavailable. Back in April, Bowser had told CNBC that Nintendo was working closely with its retail partners to secure enough stock not just for launch weekend but for the period that follows. That same month, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa revealed that 2.2 million people in Japan entered a lottery to buy the Switch 2 on launch day, a number that outstripped both the company’s forecast and the units it originally planned to send to stores. Toto believes the tight supply will persist in Japan, where demand has been exceptionally strong, but sees better availability elsewhere. “It might take a while, but as far as can be monitored, supply seems to be more robust than around the launch of the original Switch in 2017,” he said. Adding to the challenge, US President Donald Trump’s so-called reciprocal tariffs on goods from around the world threaten to increase costs for the Switch 2. In April, Nintendo delayed US pre-orders while it evaluated the potential impact of these duties. The Switch 2 carries a $449 price tag in the United States, marking it as Nintendo’s most expensive console to date. Bowser said at the time that the company would keep a close eye on tariff developments before adjusting prices further. Gibson of MST Financial noted that if tariffs are resolved and duty rates fall, the price of the Switch 2 could come down in the US. Beyond its sales and supply story, the Switch 2 builds on its predecessor with a larger display and stronger performance. It also adds GameChat2, a feature that lets players voice or video chat with friends online and share their game screens. Cryptopolitan Academy: Coming Soon - A New Way to Earn Passive Income with DeFi in 2025. Learn More
