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Nintendo Switch 2 Expected to Sell 15 Million Units in First Year

New system debuts with Mario Kart World bundle and a lineup of exclusives as Nintendo eyes a strong next-gen start.


nintendo switch 2

Nintendo has officially set its sales target for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, projecting 15 million units sold by the end of March 2026.


The goal was disclosed in the company’s latest financial report, which also forecasts 45 million game sales for the new system within the same period—excluding bundled titles.


The Nintendo Switch 2 is scheduled to launch on June 5, 2025, with a special Mario Kart World bundle.


The sales projection mirrors the original Switch’s first-year performance, which sold 15.05 million units during its first full fiscal year after launching in March 2017. Despite increased production capacity in some regions, the similar forecast hints at either cautious optimism or potential supply limitations for the new generation after Trump's tariff.


New Hardware, Familiar Ecosystem


A major selling point for the Switch 2 will be its backward compatibility—the console can play nearly all original Nintendo Switch games, offering a seamless transition for existing players.


The upcoming system also launches alongside several exclusive titles, including:

  • Mario Kart World (launch)

  • Nintendo Switch 2 Secret Exhibition (launch)

  • Donkey Kong Bananza (July 17)

  • Drag x Drive (Summer 2025)

  • Kirby’s Air Rider (TBD)


Additionally, fans can expect enhanced "Switch 2 Editions" of some of Nintendo’s biggest hits, such as:

  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (launch)

  • Tears of the Kingdom (launch)

  • Super Mario Party Jamboree (July 24)

  • Kirby Discovery (August 28)

  • Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A (Fall 2025)

  • Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (2025)


Original Switch Still Holding Strong


Despite the new console rollout, Nintendo isn't abandoning the original Switch just yet. The company still expects to sell 4.5 million additional units of the first-gen Switch during the next fiscal year, demonstrating the platform’s enduring appeal as it enters its ninth year on the market.


To date, the original Nintendo Switch has sold 152 million units, making it second best-selling console of all time after PS2.


However, year-over-year sales dropped by 31.2%, totaling 10.8 million units sold over the past year. Game sales also declined by 22.2%, landing at 155.41 million units.


Nintendo Financial Snapshot (FY April 2024–March 2025)


  • Net sales: ¥1,164.9 billion (~$8 billion), down 30.3%

  • Net profit: ¥278.8 billion (~$1.92 billion), down 43.2%


Nintendo attributed part of its cautious financial forecasting to the current U.S. tariff landscape, stating that changes in tariff rates after April 10, 2025, could impact projections. “We will continue to monitor the situation to respond to changes in market conditions,” the company noted in its financial materials.


Notable Game Performances


Even amid declining hardware sales, several Nintendo titles achieved strong numbers over the past year:


  • Super Mario Party Jamboree: 7.48 million copies

  • The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom: 4.09 million copies

  • Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Remake): 2.10 million copies

  • Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Added 6.23 million copies, lifetime total now 68.2 million


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