Nintendo has done it again, and then some. In what can only be described as a launch for the record books, the company has officially sold 3.5 million units of the Switch 2 in just under a week. Let that sink in for a second. With the report coming out four days into the launch, the math works out to 875K consoles a day, or nearly 10 consoles sold every single second since launch. It’s not just impressive, it’s downright insane.
While early interest in the Switch 2 was always expected to be high, this level of demand has exceeded even the most optimistic projections. Part sequel, part evolution, the Switch 2 builds on the hybrid console concept that made the original a global sensation, while finally catching up with modern hardware expectations. Improved performance, a more mature and larger frame, and backwards compatibility with Switch 1 games created the perfect storm for hype, and clearly, it paid off.
Switch 2: 2 Big 2 Fail
What’s even more impressive is that this happened without any holiday bump or price cuts. No bundle blowouts. No Black Friday to ride on. Just pure demand. And let’s not forget, this is Nintendo, a company that thrives on scarcity and often struggles with initial stock. Yet here we are: 3.5 million consoles out the door in less than seven days.
Handheld mode made the console, well, handheld. / Image: Nintendo
The original Nintendo Switch was a commodity and somewhat difficult to obtain past its initial launch. A short three years into its lifespan, the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to purchase nearly all electronics, but the Switch was one of the stand-out devices that became rarer as the days passed. Its portability, ease of use, and the then-recent release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons made the device a highly desired item for those stuck at home.
Nintendo Sells
If this momentum keeps up, the Switch 2 might outperform the original’s first-year numbers in a matter of months. And that’s saying something as the first Switch sold over 14 million units in its debut year, easily eclipsing the Wii U’s lifetime sales of around 13.6 million units.
Various upgrade packs for Switch 1 titles
It’s a testament to Nintendo’s ability to understand and shape the way we play games. Whether you’re in it for the upgraded tech, the massive library, or the inevitable avalanche of first-party hits, the message is clear: the Switch 2 is here, and people want it. Badly.
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