Key Facts
• June 5, 2025: Nintendo Switch 2 launched globally.
• 84% of buyers transitioned from the original Nintendo Switch.
• Switch 2 sold 10.36 million units globally by September 2025.
• Achieved highest sales for any Nintendo console in its launch period.
• Original Switch sold 154.01 million units in 8.5 years, nearing Nintendo DS record.
• Nintendo plans to sell both Switch and Switch 2 concurrently for now.
• Hardware improvements retained user experience and ensured software compatibility.
• Over 1 billion estimated global Switch users targeted for next-gen transition.
• Semiconductor price hikes manageable unless unexpected tariff changes occur.
Summary
Nintendo’s latest console, the Switch 2, has achieved record-breaking success since its June 2025 launch, selling 10.36 million units globally by September. Notably, 84% of buyers are existing Switch users, drawn by improved hardware performance and compatibility with previous software. The original Switch, with 154.01 million units sold over 8.5 years, is close to surpassing the Nintendo DS as the company’s best-selling handheld console. Nintendo plans to continue selling both models, focusing on transitioning its vast user base of over 1 billion to the next generation. Despite rising semiconductor costs, Nintendo remains confident in maintaining profitability barring unforeseen tariff changes.
