Nintendo was expecting the Switch 2 would be just as successful as the original, and it’s already become the fastest-selling game console of all time after a strong launch.
Nintendo revealed today that it has sold more than 3.5 million Switch 2 units in the console’s first four days, surpassing records for any of Nintendo’s hardware within the same launch period.
Analysts had widely predicted strong Switch 2 launch sales, despite a lack of launch titles for Nintendo’s latest console.
The original Switch launched in March 2017 and sold 17.79 million units in its first 13 months on sale — more than Nintendo’s own estimates at the time.
The Switch has now sold more than 150 million units over its lifetime, pushing it close to overtaking the DS as Nintendo’s best-selling console.
After a great launch, Nintendo anticipated that the Switch 2 would be as successful as the original, and it is currently the fastest-selling game console ever. During the first four days of the Switch 2’s release, Nintendo announced that it had sold over 31.5 million units, breaking previous records for all of its hardware during that time. However, that is not as important as the record.
The Switch 2 is “the fastest selling home video game console of all time,” according to Daniel Ahmad, director of research and insights at Niko Partners, who makes this observation on X. It took Sony sixteen days to sell two million PS4s and six weeks to sell four and a half million. Amidst the pandemic and related shortages in chip supply, the PS5 made its debut, but the Switch 2 has easily outperformed it. Four and a half million PS5s were sold in seven weeks.
With a large amount of inventory in key markets, Nintendo was obviously able to meet the pent-up demand for a successor to the Switch. Prior to launch, Switch 2 preorders sold out at major US retailers; however, on launch day, there was still some limited stock available for those who were prepared to wait in line at midnight or take a chance in the morning. Initial demand was probably boosted by the prospect of tariff-induced price increases as well.
The Switch 2 is still the fourth best-selling console in the UK, according to NielsenIQ data, even though it wasn’t the biggest console launch in UK history and it appeared to be fairly easy for British consumers to purchase one on launch day.
Despite the lack of launch titles for Nintendo’s newest console, analysts had generally forecast strong Switch 2 launch sales. A lot of pent-up demand for this new hardware led to Nintendo breaking sales records with the Switch 2, and the company used that time to build enough units to meet demand.
The true question at hand is whether Nintendo can continue to sell at this rate and whether tariffs and handheld alternatives will cause sales to decline. By the end of March 2026, Nintendo hopes to have sold 15 million Switch 2 consoles, and it’s already off to a strong start with 32.5 million sold in just four days.
The original Switch went on sale in March 2017 and sold 17.79 million units in its first 13 months of availability, which was more than Nintendo had predicted at the time. With more than 150 million units sold in its lifetime, the Switch is almost ready to surpass the DS as Nintendo’s best-selling system.
