David Bridges
Nintendo has achieved an impressive milestone by selling 3.5 million units of the Switch 2 in just four days, establishing a remarkable record for the launch of a new console. This phenomenal start positions Nintendo well to reach its ambitious target of 15 million units sold by March 2026, contingent on their ability to maintain production levels. For context, it took the original Switch nearly a month to sell 2.7 million units, despite its lower launch price of 0 compared to the $450 price tag of the Switch 2.
To secure their consoles, enthusiastic fans participated in lotteries, made online purchases directly from Nintendo, or waited in lines outside popular retailers such as GameStop when the Switch 2 was released last week. However, the overwhelming demand exceeded Nintendo’s initial forecasts, prompting President Shuntaro Furukawa to issue an apology to disappointed customers who were unable to purchase a unit, as reported by Bloomberg. In response to this high demand, the company has also reached out to its suppliers to increase production capacity.
With a successful launch now behind them, Nintendo’s focus shifts to sustaining this momentum. The company has undoubtedly gleaned valuable insights from its previous experience, particularly the supply chain challenges that hindered sales during the early months following the original Switch’s debut. Furthermore, potential US tariffs could impact pricing strategies. During a recent investor call, Furukawa highlighted that additional tariffs might force a price increase in the US market, potentially dampening consumer demand.
