that Nintendo Switch 2 The 2025 holiday season didn't perform as well as expected, and now the report reveals why. Although many Switch 2 owners are enjoying their new console, the device was unable to beat the sales of the original Nintendo Switch during the holiday season of 2017, its launch year.
Although the holidays haven't brought in the numbers Nintendo was hoping for, the Switch 2 hasn't lacked for success so far. The console outperformed the original Switch at launch, and despite early speculation that the system would struggle to move the device around, the Switch 2 sold over 1 million units in the US within its first week on store shelves.
Nintendo is reportedly ramping up Switch 2 production.
Just a few months after launch, Switch 2 sales are soaring past key milestones and Nintendo is reportedly ramping up production of the console.
The Nintendo Switch 2 will experience some sales difficulties during the 2025 holiday season.
Now, a report from The Game Business says that Switch 2 failed to meet sales expectations during the previous year's holiday shopping season. According to anonymous Nintendo internal sources, that was partly due to economic issues and a lack of “major Western games” releasing in late 2025. The report compared holiday shopping season sales for the Switch and Switch 2 in 2025 and 2017, respectively, the years in which they were released, and found that Switch 2 saw a 35% decline in holiday sales in the U.S. compared to its predecessor. Other regions were no exception. In the UK, sales fell 16%, and in Japan, where Switch 2s are cheaper to buy than elsewhere, sales fell 5.5% in the last two months of the year.
The Switch 2 has been a huge success, especially from developers outside of Nintendo, but its initial game lineup and overall sales projections have some potential weaknesses. For example, the original Switch released as a mega hit. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildIt acquired numerous Nintendo titles in its first year, including: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, super mario odyssey, splatoon 2, Xenoblade Chronicles 2And more. Switch 2, on the other hand, looks like this: Donkey Kong Bananza, mario kart world, Pokemon Legends: ZAand Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Despite the long wait metroid And the build-up of excitement, that and others, may not have been enough in the way of original Nintendo games to boost sales during the holidays.
Additionally, the Nintendo Switch 2 is in the unique position of sharing sales numbers with the original Switch. The OG Switch is still on sale, and games continue to be made for it, including the aforementioned games. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokemon Legends: ZA. Some players who own a Nintendo Switch may not feel like there's a good reason to upgrade right now, while others who don't may choose to buy the original Switch for a bargain price instead of splurging on a newer console. The Switch 2 also launched at a higher price than its predecessor. The base console cost $449.99 in the US at launch, while the original Switch was only $299.99.
The future of Nintendo Switch 2 is still bright
While the holidays didn't exactly explode sales of Nintendo's Switch 2, the console is likely to see plenty of success in the future. Key entries from hit franchises such as: zelda, marioand splatoon It will eventually be released on Switch 2, and over time, fewer titles will be released on both consoles taking advantage of Switch 2's superior features. pokemon It will also benefit the system in 2026. Pokemon Pokopia This year, not only will more games from Nintendo be released exclusively for Switch 2, but third-party games will also be released simultaneously, including: Resident Evil Requiem On the way.
- brand
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nintendo
- original release date
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June 5, 2025
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$449.99
- operating system
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ownership
- solve
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1080p (portable) / 4K (docked)
- HDR support
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yes
