Nintendo Switch 2 Becomes Fastest-Selling Console in Japan, Surpassing PS2’s Record

Nintendo Switch 2 box selling better than PlayStation 2 and OG Switch in Japan. (Image Credit: Nintendo/Sony)

The Nintendo Switch 2 has now become the fastest-selling gaming console in Japanese history, surpassing the PlayStation 2’s first-month sales record that stood for over two decades.

According to sales data compiled by Famitsu (as reported by Yomiuri Shimbun), the Switch 2 has sold an estimated 1,538,260 units across Japan within its first five weeks on the market.

This impressive figure edges past the Game Boy Advance’s previous Nintendo record of 1,367,434 units and completely overshadows Sony’s PS2, which sold 1,134,862 units during its launch month back in 2000.

Famitsu’s numbers come from over 3,000 retail outlets nationwide, and industry analyst Dr. Serkan Toto points out that these figures don’t include units sold directly through Nintendo’s own channels—meaning the actual number could be even higher.

For comparison, the original Switch sold just 556,633 units in the same launch period, making the Switch 2’s performance nearly three times faster. Globally, Nintendo has already confirmed 3.5 million units sold in just four days, making it the fastest-selling Nintendo console to date.

While the hardware itself hasn't undergone a dramatic overhaul, Switch 2 does feature a slightly larger display and improved performance. The company’s decision to price the Japan-exclusive model at ¥49,980 (~$347)—over ¥10,000 cheaper than its U.S. counterpart ($449.99 Standard)—appears to have paid off.

Bundled titles like Mario Kart World, which sold over 1.18 million units in the same window, are also contributing to its strong momentum. The release of Donkey Kong Bananza last week and the upcoming launch of Pokémon Legends ZA later this year suggest Nintendo is laying the groundwork for long-term growth.

While Nintendo is targeting 15 million units in its first year, the road ahead depends heavily on how well the company can manage its supply chain, especially in the face of international trade policies and production bottlenecks.