Nintendo’s new handheld-console hybrid is off to a monster start. In just four days, the Nintendo Switch 2 has sold 3.5 million units, officially making it the fastest-selling console in the company’s history. IGN confirmed with Nintendo that this figure is double the pace of the original Switch, which sold 2.7 million in its entire first month back in 2017.
This sales surge isn’t catching analysts off guard. Even before its official April reveal, DFC Intelligence forecasted a blockbuster run for the Switch 2, predicting it would move 15 million units by the end of 2025. They’ve since doubled down, calling it the most significant console launch ever and estimating a possible 100 million units sold by 2029.
Industry analyst Rhys Elliott struck a more cautious tone in a recent LinkedIn post. While he expected a strong start, he pointed out the OG Switch launched during a pandemic-induced demand spike and benefitted from serious FOMO. This time around, Nintendo was far better prepared with inventory and logistics — but sustaining momentum beyond the diehard fans is the real challenge. As Elliott notes, it’s the Q4 holiday season that will be the Switch 2’s first big stress test.
And he’s not wrong. A healthy launch is great, but the long-term legs of any Nintendo console rely on a steady stream of hit games and casual player appeal. Animal Crossing: New Horizons was a pandemic-era juggernaut, and while a new entry could boost sales, it’s unlikely to replicate those numbers. The expectation now is that a Nintendo Direct is imminent to reveal what’s next for the console’s game lineup heading into the holidays.
Bottom line — the Switch 2’s launch couldn’t have gone better, but the next six months will decide if it’s just a strong start or the beginning of another generation-defining Nintendo run.
