Nintendo Switch 2 Sells Nearly 20 Million Units, But Concerns About the Future Remain

The Nintendo Switch 2 is officially the fastest-selling console Nintendo has ever made, but the company has mixed feelings about the future. The latest financial figures show that the hybrid console has sold nearly 20 million units worldwide in the first nine months after launch. Yet Nintendo itself expects hardware sales to decline in the coming fiscal year.

Nearly 20 Million Consoles, But the Outlook Is Less Rosy

According to Nintendo's figures, a total of 19.86 million Switch 2 consoles were sold in the period through March 2026. In addition, nearly 50 million games were sold alongside them. That is a stellar performance, especially for a console that has only been on the market since June 2025. However, Nintendo tempers expectations for the fiscal year 2027, which runs from April 2026 to March 2027. The company forecasts a drop to 16.5 million units.

Why a decline when successful consoles typically still grow in their second year? Nintendo says initial demand was exceptionally high, partly due to a strong lineup and word-of-mouth. The expectation is that this peak demand will decrease after the first year, leading to lower sales. Additionally, a price increase plays a role: from September 2026, the suggested retail price of the Switch 2 in the United States will rise from $449.99 to $499.99.

That price increase is striking, because Nintendo has often made consoles cheaper over time in the past. The company justifies the move with rising production costs and inflation. Whether that price increase will also come to other regions has not been confirmed, but it is likely that European players will also face it.

An Unusual Prediction for a Successful Console

It is remarkable that Nintendo predicts a decline so early in the life cycle. The original Switch actually sold more in its second year than in the first, and for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, second-year sales were often higher or stable. The Switch 2 seems to be following a different pattern. I think the high demand partly comes from many loyal fans buying in immediately, but the masses need a bit more time to switch over. The price increase could strengthen that effect.

Yet it is not all doom and gloom. Nintendo emphasizes that software sales remain strong, with titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom 2 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder - Switch 2 Edition performing well. The upcoming lineup, including a new Metroid Prime and Pokémon titles, should also fuel demand. Whether that will be enough to offset the decline remains to be seen.

For now, the glass is half full for Nintendo: nearly 20 million consoles sold is a dream start, but the challenge is to keep that momentum going. The price increase and cautious forecast show that Nintendo is not blind to market dynamics. Gamers still on the fence about purchasing would do well to buy before September - after that, the wallet will be extra burdened.