Nintendo’s new console, the Switch 2, has become the fastest-selling game console of all time, selling over 3.5 million units within its first four days of release, surpassing previous records for the company’s hardware launches.
According to Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research and Insights at Niko Partners, the Switch 2 is “the fastest selling home video game console of all time.” Ahmad compared its sales pace to that of other notable consoles, noting that the PlayStation 4 took 16 days to sell 2.1 million units and six weeks to reach 4.2 million. In contrast, the Switch 2 significantly outperformed the PlayStation 5’s launch sales, which achieved 4.4 million units sold-through in seven weeks, a period complicated by pandemic-related supply constraints.
Industry observers attribute Nintendo’s success in meeting the accumulated demand for a Switch successor to its ability to ensure substantial inventory in key markets. Although Switch 2 preorders sold out at major US retailers prior to the launch, limited stock was still available on launch day. Analysts speculate that the anticipation of potential price increases due to tariffs may have also driven the initial demand rush.
In the UK, while the Switch 2 did not achieve the biggest console launch ever, it ranked as the fourth best-selling console based on NielsenIQ data. Reports from the UK indicated that it was relatively easy for consumers to purchase a unit on launch day, suggesting a more stable supply chain compared to the US experience.
Despite having a limited lineup of launch titles, analysts had predicted strong initial sales for the Switch 2, driven by significant pent-up consumer demand and Nintendo’s ability to produce sufficient units to meet this demand. The company now faces the challenge of maintaining this sales momentum, potentially navigating the impact of future tariffs and competition from alternative handheld devices.
Nintendo has set an ambitious sales target of 15 million Switch 2 consoles by the end of March 2026, a goal it appears well-positioned to achieve given its strong start. For context, the original Switch, launched in March 2017, sold 17.79 million units in its first 13 months and has since surpassed 150 million units sold globally, nearing the status of the company’s best-selling console, the Nintendo DS.
