With shops planning midnight launch parties after a run on pre-orders, Nintendo releases the Switch 2 on Thursday, hoping to score record early sales for a games console.
But the Japanese company has its work cut out to match the overall success of the Switch, which became a must-have during the pandemic with hit games such as Animal Crossing.
Featuring a bigger screen and more processing power, the Switch 2 is an upgrade to its predecessor, which has sold 152 million units since it came out in 2017 — making it the third best-selling console of all time.
Serkan Toto from Tokyo consultancy Kantan Games said he “would not be surprised to see Switch 2 breaking sales records in the next weeks and months.”
In Japan, Nintendo’s online store had 2.2 million pre-order applications for the Switch 2–an “insane number the industry has never seen before,” Toto told AFP.
“We are looking at some sort of mega launch, and it will be interesting to see how long this initial momentum will continue,” he added.
Challenges for Nintendo include uncertainty over US trade tariffs and whether it can convince enough people to pay the high price for its new device.
The Switch 2 costs $449.99 in the United States, more than Switch’s launch price of $299.99. Both are hybrid consoles that can connect to a TV or be played on the go.
New Switch 2 games such as Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World—which” allows players to go exploring off-grid — are also more expensive than existing Switch titles.
Retailers in the U.S., Europe, and other key markets are bracing for high demand, with some stores opening at midnight. Fnac Darty expects record first-day sales, while supply issues have led to canceled orders. In the U.K., Game is trying to reinstate affected pre-orders, and in the U.S., retailers face backlash over shipping delays.
Analyst Serkan Toto warned that the Switch 2 may remain hard to find for months, similar to its predecessor. Nintendo aims to sell 15 million units this fiscal year, matching the original’s debut numbers.
Priced higher than the first model, the Switch 2 features eight times the memory, magnetic controllers that double as a desktop mouse, and new online chat and game-sharing tools. Still, some balk at the $80 price of Mario Kart World—Nintendo’s most expensive game yet.
While casual gamers may need convincing, fan excitement is strong. Pre-orders in the U.S. were delayed amid concerns over Trump’s proposed tariffs. Most North American units are made in Vietnam, which may face a 46 percent levy. Tariff worries could drive early sales.
Despite expansion into parks and films, Nintendo still relies on the Switch for about 90 percent of its revenue.
