Nintendo Switch 2 Smashes Global Launch Records
Nintendo’s much-anticipated Switch 2, released on June 5, 2025, has stormed into the market with unprecedented momentum. In just its opening four days, the console sold over 3.5 million units worldwide, marking it as Nintendo’s fastest-selling hardware in company history
This explosive start surpasses all previous benchmarks, including the Switch, PS4, and PS5 launches.
In the United States alone, the Switch 2 achieved over 1.1 million units sold during its first week—outpacing Sony's PS4 launch, which took nearly 16 days to reach 2.1 million
Adding to Nintendo’s coffers, around 79% of U.S. buyers also purchased Mario Kart World, either standalone or via bundled deals
Strong Demand Across Major Markets
Japan accounted for nearly 948,000 units sold in the four-day window—a figure that may surpass one million once direct-store sales are included
Additional international figures include approximately 169,000 units in France and 108,000 units in Spain, signaling broad success across multiple regions
Revenue Surge and Analyst Projections
The intense early sales translated into notable revenue gains. The hardware alone generated an estimated $1.57 billion in its first four days
Bolstered by this surge, financial analysts from Jefferies have revised their lifetime sales expectations upward to 66 million units by March 2028
Meanwhile, Nintendo has consistently reaffirmed its target of selling 15 million units by March 2026
Robust Launch Amid Inflation and Tariff Concerns
Despite economic headwinds—including inflation, import tariffs, and pressure on consumer spending—the Switch 2's appeal hasn’t faltered. At a U.S. retail price of $449.99 (or $499.99 bundled with Mario Kart World), the console saw rapid sell-outs at retailers like Walmart and surged ahead amid strong preorder demand
Nintendo also implemented anti-scalping measures, helping stabilize resale prices, particularly in Japan
Outlook: Can Nintendo Maintain the Momentum?
Nintendo CEO Shuntaro Furukawa and other executives are now focused on sustaining this momentum through the launch window and holiday season. Though the current software library is limited, titles like Mario Kart World and upcoming exclusives offer reasons for optimism
The industry will be watching closely to see if the Switch 2 can follow in the footsteps of its predecessor—the original Switch sold nearly 18 million units in its first 13 months and over 150 million in total
In sum, Nintendo's Switch 2 has kicked off with record-breaking sales, outperforming even the PS4 and PS5 launches, and setting a strong foundation for future growth. The key question now: can Nintendo leverage this explosive start into sustained success?
