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The Game Business - Nintendo Switch 2 sales stumble over Christmas

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jm89

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Nintendo Switch 2 sales stumble over Christmas

Plus, Nex Playground heads to Europe and Phasmaphobia devs launch publishing arm
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Nintendo Switch 2 sales momentum slowed over the key holiday sales period, particularly in Western markets.

It follows a huge launch for the console in June, when Switch 2 became the fastest-selling game console with over 3.5 million units sold in just four days.
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The Game Business understands that Switch 2 sales in the US over the holiday period (November – December) was down by around 35% compared with what the Switch 1 delivered during the same period in 2017, which was when it launched. This follows a report from US data tracker Circana, which revealed that US console sales overall had their worst November since 1995.

There are also mixed results across Europe. In the UK, Switch 2 sales for the last eight weeks of the year were 16% lower than what Switch 1 managed during the last eight weeks of 2017 (NielsenIQ data).
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However, when we add in Switch 1 UK sales, the overall number of Nintendo devices sold during November and December 2025 are up 7% compared with the same period in 2017. Overall for the year, Switch 2 UK sales are 6% higher than what Switch 1 managed in its first year (which was also on sale for 14 extra weeks).

The most disappointing result was in France, which is typically one of Nintendo's key European markets. According to data shared with The Game Business, Switch 2 sales in France last year were 'over 30%' lower than what Switch 1 achieved in its first year. As a result, the UK was bigger than France for Switch 2 sales in 2025.
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France was an outlier in terms of full year results. Nevertheless, all major European markets saw a slowdown in Switch 2 sales momentum over the Christmas sales window.

One senior Nintendo employee told me that a "complicated economic landscape", mixed with higher price points and "the absence of a major Western game" during Christmas could make for tough comparisons with Switch 1, but overall, he's proud of what was accomplished during a tricky year.
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In terms of the Japanese market, Switch 2 finished strongly, but sales were a little lower over November and December compared with the Switch 1 launch year. For the last nine weeks of 2025, 1.32 million Switch 2 consoles were sold in Japan (Famitsu data). This is slightly down (-5.5%) on the 1.39 million units that the Switch 1 sold over the same period in 2017.

However, it was an impressive year in Japan overall, with Switch 2 sales up 11% compared with the launch year of Switch 1 (despite the Switch 1 being on sale for longer). The Switch 2 proposition in Japan is stronger than it is in Western markets, with a cheaper Japan-only version of the console (at roughly $335). Also, the Switch 2 line-up for holiday 2025 was better suited to Japanese player tastes, with Kirby Air Riders one of the key releases. Kirby is a popular IP in Japan, and Air Riders has already sold over 420,000 units since its release (boxed sales only).
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I don't know how much to read into all these reports about the sales of the Switch 2. Strong start for the all the enthusiasts who wanted the console obviously, but I think Nintendo has to try harder if their intention is to get the mainstream to buy a Switch 2. You can't keep supporting older hardware if you want people to buy newer hardware I think. It's sad for those who still appreciate the older hardware, but it's just the way it is I think.

They're not doing themselves any favors with some enthusiasts also with all the bad publicity regarding greedy practices, and of course game key cards. I do think early in a consoles lifecycle, you need the enthusiasts to sing the praises, and that's what gets the masses to start slowing walking in also. When you got so much negative backlash, there's no praise going around for people to say "i heard good things about this Switch 2 machine"
 
How did it do compared to Switch 1's first Nov/Dec?

Also Switch 1 was mainstream price. $449 is a lot more than $299.
 
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So down 35% compared to Switch 1st Christmas but Switch 2 had a much stronger launch period. Do we know the comparison total numbers for the first 6-7 months? I would imagine Switch 2 is ahead by several million units.
 
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Right now is a bad time for everything, not just the Switch 2. Sales in the US aren't looking good as prices rise, people are going to focus more on essentials and entertainment is non-essential.
 
You can play the good games on the Switch 1. No need to get a Switch 2 yet.
Even if you spend the money on a Switch 2 you have to spend even more money to upgrade what you can already play on the Switch 1.

The Switch 2 costs too much for what it offers above the Switch 1.
It's not Rocket Surgery. Nintendo games cost too much.
I say this as someone who has been spending the money. I'm not getting my money worth.
 
So many factors to take into account here.

Switch 1 is still on the market and has titles releasing. Nice and cheap alternative to switch 2. Switch 1 followed the dead wii U. Ps5 has also had a beast of a q4 with consistent heavy discounts. I suppose the PS4 will have been as well....

But....more importantly we are forgetting that beast of a kinect cube! Lots of competition.
 
tkscz said:
Right now is a bad time for everything, not just the Switch 2. Sales in the US aren't looking good as prices rise, people are going to focus more on essentials and entertainment is non-essential.
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Maybe not a non-essential, but i think people are starting to realize "oh shit, there are a lot of great older games I never played" so entertainment is cheaper elsewhere
 
The $450 price is likely too high for the broader gaming audience. I also think that the launch software has been lackluster. I always expected a pullback based on the iterative nature of the console. I'm still enjoying my Switch 2 though.
 
Outside of hardcore fans and JP with their long commutes and tiny flats, Switch 2 is not a good deal at the moment as a package. Outside of Japan it's clearly a complimentary system, not a main one. And for that it lack huge system-sellers like TOTK/BoTW, it's not unique anymore and for the price it's not that good of a portable either (that screen is oof).

I've gifted my son Switch OLED this Christmas and he is very happy with the screen and the fact that I can mod emulators for him on the go. Switch 2 is simply too limited and expensive for now, especially for that price.
 
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Spainnnnn


(US+JP)

Q4 2011 3DS ~4.85 m

Q4 2017 SW1 ~4.12 m

Q4 2025 SW2 ~3.43 m


32.jpg



30.jpg


31.jpg
 
Don't think I can take Christopher Dring as a serious journalist that much anymore. Unfortunate.

tkscz said:
Right now is a bad time for everything, not just the Switch 2. Sales in the US aren't looking good as prices rise, people are going to focus more on essentials and entertainment is non-essential.
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Not only that; they didn't touch on the fact Nintendo purposefully held off on doing sales discount promotions for Switch 2 over the holiday period. Most likely, because the system just launched a few months prior and I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo still have 3DS PTSD (where the hefty discount mere months after that launched might've been internally seen as an admission of weakness).

Sony sold the most hardware in Western markets because they got the most aggressive with low pricing. Combined with PS5 being a generally desirable product, of course it'd sell more units than a system offering few or no discounts over the holidays. Oddly, Dring doesn't touch on revenue generated; only unit sales. But it's not like he and Piscatella have any issue going with revenue when it's convenient.

Maybe he delves into revenue in the video segment but I'm crunched for time to try finding out if that's the case.

Also....does Dring ever speculate that it could've been supply constraints? Nintendo might've prioritized Japan over the holidays rather than Western markets, and that's highly possible. Why am I having to ask these questions instead of journalists? That's what they're supposed to be doing!
 
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I'm not surprised. Times are tough for many and luxury goods like this aren't a priority for them. In addition to that, even though I own a Switch 2 there hasn't been anything I absolutely had to play for it. Mario Kart World is fine, but it's not worth running out to buy a console for. I'll also say the same for DK and MP4 (the latter being a bit disappointing).

If my kids weren't using the Switch 2 regularly then it would be boxed up in a cupboard.
 
One senior Nintendo employee told me that a "complicated economic landscape", mixed with higher price points and "the absence of a major Western game" during Christmas could make for tough comparisons with Switch 1, but overall, he's proud of what was accomplished during a tricky year.
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So Nintendo seems fine with the results. That's what matters the most.
 
Nintendo is almost being nice keeping Switch 2 from being a MUST own thing yet. Many of us can wait a little bit on DK or Mario Tennis Fever.

Now when movie tie in Zelda or OOT remake drops, by that time we will have a price increase
 
I've been spoiled by the Switch 1 OLED. Anything worse in terms of a display and/or battery life is unacceptable for me.
 
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Price and the lack of a killer game. 1 amazing game in DK Bonanza, 1 good game with MKworld, but they need a 3D Mario or Zelda to keep the momentum. Also entertainment and consoles come after groceries, and I can afford the switch but the cost of everything is killing consumers. Insurance cost on cars and houses and health are skyhigh. Groceries are high. Inflation is down meaning pricing aren't continuing to climb, but the prices are what they are and not coming down.
 
It's too expensive and Switch 1 owners don't see the gain, that's why people didn't buy that many in France. The main competition is Switch 1 lol. All the games are released on it, they are less expensive, the console is less expensive, the games are on the cart. Why would you buy a Switch 2 ? That's what happens when you release the exact same product.
 
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It seemed so obvious that Switch 2's massive initial sales were due to actually having enough inventory to satisfy demand, compared to Switch 1 which was difficult to find in stock for over a year.

Some people here apparently thought Switch 2 would keep on outpacing Switch 1 forever but that always seemed delusional to me. It's a more expensive system with more expensive games. I think many gamers are perfectly happy with Switch 1 for now. I also think a lot of Switch owners looking for something new saw PS5 as a more compelling purchase for now.
 
For me it's the lack of "system seller" games that appeal to me. Mostly missing mainline Zelda and Mario games.
 
Its a more expansive sigthly stronger version of Switch that push stupid keycards. Not sure everyone is happy with this approach, specially when the Switch still has physical media.
 
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- Expensive system to the switch 1
- Expensive games ( Nintendo can fuck off, glad they are losing sales. This will show them not to act like they own the industry ( them or sony or MS ) to even think of increasing the price. It's already expensive.
- Game key cards. Publishers insist on using it, and it's firing back on their faces.

Exclusives that are out of touch to allow this to happen and don't see the feedback from the gamers that pay them their salary, needs to be fired. It's really very clear where gamers stand. But they are hell bent on being stupid. Good riddance man. Shove the game up ur ass on the way out when you cry as you getting fired for low performance
 
Power Pro said:
I don't know how much to read into all these reports about the sales of the Switch 2. Strong start for the all the enthusiasts who wanted the console obviously, but I think Nintendo has to try harder if their intention is to get the mainstream to buy a Switch 2. You can't keep supporting older hardware if you want people to buy newer hardware I think. It's sad for those who still appreciate the older hardware, but it's just the way it is I think.

They're not doing themselves any favors with some enthusiasts also with all the bad publicity regarding greedy practices, and of course game key cards. I do think early in a consoles lifecycle, you need the enthusiasts to sing the praises, and that's what gets the masses to start slowing walking in also. When you got so much negative backlash, there's no praise going around for people to say "i heard good things about this Switch 2 machine"
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You have current games for your new platform also on your old platform, and both platforms looks almost identical... And your primary audience are kids.. who get their shit from their parents...

Good luck convincing parents they have to buy something for their kid that looks exactly like the thing they already have.

Oh. And key cards.
 
thicc_girls_are_teh_best said:
Don't think I can take Christopher Dring as a serious journalist that much anymore. Unfortunate.



Not only that; they didn't touch on the fact Nintendo purposefully held off on doing sales discount promotions for Switch 2 over the holiday period. Most likely, because the system just launched a few months prior and I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo still have 3DS PTSD (where the hefty discount mere months after that launched might've been internally seen as an admission of weakness).

Sony sold the most hardware in Western markets because they got the most aggressive with low pricing. Combined with PS5 being a generally desirable product, of course it'd sell more units than a system offering few or no discounts over the holidays. Oddly, Dring doesn't touch on revenue generated; only unit sales. But it's not like he and Piscatella have any issue going with revenue when it's convenient.

Maybe he delves into revenue in the video segment but I'm crunched for time to try finding out if that's the case.

Also....does Dring ever speculate that it could've been supply constraints? Nintendo might've prioritized Japan over the holidays rather than Western markets, and that's highly possible. Why am I having to ask these questions instead of journalists? That's what they're supposed to be doing!
Click to expand...
Football Defending GIF by Fugz Official
 
"complicated economic landscape", mixed with higher price points and "the absence of a major Western game"

One might speculate that this is a backlash to any of the things Nintendo did "wrong" with the Switch 2.

I disagree. I think Nintendo employee nailed it here. Especially this: "the absence of a major Western game"

Where the fuck were Mario or Zelda(not the dynasty warriors one)? I mean I know where they were, but Nintendo has always been super particular about having killer apps ready soon. I think maybe they put too much faith in two products. The Mario Kart game which while huge isn't as loved as the last entry(I guess) and Metroid which kinda flopped for a big Nintendo holiday release, at least in the zeitgeist. Hades 2 and DK saved year 1 of Switch 2 but that's about it. Nintendo has to bring the games and the sales will come. Also the screen latency for those who play on handheld may be a dealbreaker. I only play docked, personally.

Even Reggie said it, right, didn't he say the launch lineup was a bit of a headscratcher? I don't feel like looking it up.
 
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It was already expected that Switch 2 sales had slowed considerably in some Western countries in recent months (USA, UK, France, Spain, etc...), I am surprised that in France, a country that is quite pro-Nintendo, Switch 2 has sold 30% less than Switch in its launch year.
 
The Switch 2 is, unfortunately, too expensive for what it is. And Nintendo has not convincingly shown why it's an upgrade over Switch 1.
 
AmuroChan said:
Holiday sales set another record in 2025. So it's not a matter of people not spending. They're just not spending on the Switch 2 for other reasons, namely lack of killer software.

U.S. Online Holiday Sales Top $257 Billion
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Well if you were just looking at dollar figures Switch 2 sold more than Switch 1, probably by a lot.
Sales numbers are up in big part because everything is expensive, not necessarily because everyone is buying more.
 
Who the hell is "thegamebusiness"? Aren't people jumping to conclusions too soon?

whitney-houston-receipts.gif


Till somene realiable like idk, NPD or Nintendo themselves say otherwise, people should wait...
 
Sakura said:
Sales numbers are up in big part because everything is expensive, not necessarily because everyone is buying more.
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I know. That's why I said people are still spending. Not that they're buying more things. I can afford a Switch 2 no problem. I'm just waiting for the killer software to hit before I pull the trigger.
 
They're comparing Christmas sales instead of comparing launch periods

S1 launched over holidays, s2 didn't

S2 had a stronger launch, so I'm not quite sure where the doom is coming from

S1 had stronger Christmas sales because it was holidays + launch
 
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Id say it's a good mix between keycards and the absurd prices Nintendo ask their users to pay.
 
tkscz said:
Right now is a bad time for everything, not just the Switch 2. Sales in the US aren't looking good as prices rise, people are going to focus more on essentials and entertainment is non-essential.
Click to expand...

Is OnlyFans consider "essential" and not entertainment, coz they made record profits in 2025.
 
AmuroChan said:
I know. That's why I said people are still spending. Not that they're buying more things. I can afford a Switch 2 no problem. I'm just waiting for the killer software to hit before I pull the trigger.
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Yeah but it isn't really a useful metric because you could just as easily say Switch 2 did 500m and Switch 1 did 400m, so it's the best holiday season for Nintendo ever.
 
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