When Nintendo launched the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, expectations were high, but few could have predicted just how quickly the console would shatter records. In just four months, the Switch 2 sold 10.36 million units, making it the fastest-selling home console in history and outpacing not only its predecessor but also major competitors like Sony’s PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. According to Nintendo’s latest quarterly financial reports, released November 4, 2025, the Switch 2’s performance has forced the company to revise its sales outlook upward, signaling a new era for the Japanese gaming giant.
The story of the Switch 2’s meteoric rise is one of pent-up demand, strategic bundling, and the enduring power of beloved franchises. Nintendo’s Q2 FY2026 results show that the Switch 2 sold 4.54 million units in the most recent quarter alone, bringing its total to 10.36 million as of September 30, 2025. This figure dwarfs the original Switch’s 4.7 million units sold in its first comparable period, as well as the PlayStation 4’s 7.5 million and the PlayStation 5’s 7.8 million. As Bloomberg reported, Toyo Securities analyst Hideki Yasuda called the performance “a major surprise that far exceeded market expectations.” He added, “Since sales in the second half of the year — which includes the Christmas shopping season — almost never fall below those of the first half, there is a strong likelihood that Nintendo will revise upward again.”
Indeed, Nintendo has already raised its full-year forecast for Switch 2 hardware sales from 15 million to 19 million units, and expects software sales to hit 48 million. The company’s profits are also expected to rise by 15%, or roughly $2.4 billion, even after accounting for US tariffs. According to Nintendo, 35% of Switch 2 sales have come from the Americas, while 22.6% are from Japan, highlighting the console’s global appeal.
What’s driving this runaway success? Much of it comes down to the games. Nintendo reported that Switch 2 software sales totaled 20.62 million units by the end of September, with more than 8 million of those bundled with the hardware. The flagship launch title, Mario Kart World, has sold an astonishing 9.57 million units, with 8.1 million coming as part of bundles — a 92% attach rate, according to Variety. Another exclusive, Donkey Kong Bananza, launched in July and has already sold 3.49 million copies.
The momentum didn’t stop there. The October 16 release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A provided another jolt, selling approximately 5.8 million units in its first week. Nintendo confirmed that about half of those copies were played on the Switch 2, suggesting that new hardware owners are eager to dive into major releases. Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, told VGC, “I am a bit surprised that other analysts are surprised. Wasn’t it always very clear that there is incredible pent-up demand for Switch 2? I always said Nintendo will land around 20 million units at the end of their fiscal year and that their initial 15 million forecast is typical lowballing.” Toto believes Pokémon Legends: Z-A will help carry the system through 2026, and with major titles still set for release in the remainder of 2025, there’s little sign of momentum slowing.
The Switch 2’s success has come at a cost to the original Switch, whose sales have slowed considerably. In the same quarter, the older console sold just 1.89 million units, a 60% drop from the 4.72 million sold in the previous year. Lifetime sales for the original Switch now stand at 154.01 million units, agonizingly close to the Nintendo DS’s all-time tally of 154.02 million. While Nintendo has yet to officially declare the Switch its best-selling console, most analysts expect it to surpass the DS in the coming weeks. However, with the PlayStation 2’s 160 million units still looming as the all-time record, the Switch’s window to claim the crown may be closing.
Software sales for the original Switch have also declined, dropping 12% year-over-year to 61.56 million units. Yet, Nintendo remains bullish on software overall, raising its forecast for Switch software sales to 125 million units for the year. The company’s ability to pivot its projections so nimbly is a testament to both strong demand and the flexible nature of its business model.
Industry analysts have been quick to point out that Nintendo’s initial forecasts were conservative, perhaps intentionally so. As GamesIndustry.biz noted, the company is known for “lowballing” its early projections, only to revise them up as results exceed expectations. With the crucial holiday season approaching, many believe that the Switch 2 could see another surge, particularly as more blockbuster titles hit the shelves. Hideki Yasuda, for one, expects Nintendo to revise its forecast upward again after the holidays, citing the historical trend that second-half sales rarely lag behind the first.
Meanwhile, the financial markets have taken notice. As reported by Dow Jones on November 4, 2025, the Switch 2’s performance has had a positive impact on Nintendo’s stock, further buoying investor confidence in the company’s direction. Although no additional numerical sales data was disclosed in that report, the sentiment was clear: Nintendo is riding high on the back of its latest hardware success.
Of course, questions remain about how long the Switch 2 can maintain its blistering pace. The console’s $449.99 price tag hasn’t deterred buyers, but with new competitors always lurking and the gaming market’s fickle tastes, Nintendo will need to keep innovating. For now, though, the Switch 2 stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Nintendo’s approach: accessible hardware, irresistible franchises, and a knack for surprising even the savviest market watchers.
With the next financial report due in early 2026 and the holiday season still ahead, all eyes are on Nintendo to see just how high the Switch 2 can climb. If history is any guide, the company’s best days for this console generation may still be ahead.
