Nintendo has reported record-breaking sales for its new console, the Switch 2, with 3.5 million units sold globally in the first four days since launch — the fastest-selling hardware debut in the company’s history.
“This marks the highest global sales figure for any Nintendo hardware within the first four days of release,” the Japanese gaming giant said in a statement issued today.
Launched last Thursday amid intense anticipation, the Switch 2 features a larger display, significantly more processing power, and enhanced memory. The upgraded hybrid console builds on the success of the original Nintendo Switch, which has sold 152 million units since its 2017 debut — making it the third best-selling console of all time.
The Switch 2 launch was met with sold-out pre-orders, midnight release events, and strong early demand, confirming analysts’ predictions of a blockbuster debut. However, it remains to be seen whether the new console can sustain the momentum of its predecessor.
Priced at $449.99 in the United States — a substantial jump from the $299.99 launch price of the original — the Switch 2 faces challenges including affordability, global economic uncertainty, and potential US trade tariffs.
Both consoles retain Nintendo’s hybrid design, functioning as both handheld and TV-connected devices. However, the Switch 2 comes with notable upgrades: it boasts eight times the memory of the original, magnetically attached controllers that can function like a desktop mouse, and new features like in-game voice chat and temporary game sharing with friends — all aimed at appealing to younger, online-oriented gamers.
Nintendo has also launched new flagship games alongside the console, including Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World, which allow players to explore open-world environments and are priced higher than previous titles.
The company is projecting sales of 15 million Switch 2 units in the current fiscal year — mirroring the original Switch’s performance during its launch year. Still, sustaining that pace may prove difficult.
“The Switch 2 is priced relatively high compared to the first model, so it will not be easy to maintain the same level of momentum,” Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa warned at a recent financial briefing.
Despite expanding into theme parks and film, Nintendo continues to rely heavily on its gaming division. Analysts estimate that nearly 90% of the company’s revenue still comes from the Switch ecosystem, making the success of the Switch 2 critical to its future growth.
