Nintendo Switch 2 Shatters Sales Records with 3.5 Million Units in Four Days
By Andrew Votta | Jun 11, 2025
Nintendo Switch 2 sold over 3.5 million units worldwide in the four days following its release on June 5, 2025, making it the fastest-selling Nintendo console in the company's history. The achievement marks a stunning debut for Nintendo's first new console in eight years and puts the company well ahead of its modest sales projections.
The original Switch sold 2.74 million units in its first month, meaning the Switch 2 has dramatically outpaced its predecessor's performance. The numbers become even more impressive when compared to Nintendo's troubled Wii U era, which sold a total of 3.5 million units over its first six months, the same amount the Switch 2 achieved in less than a week.
Industry analysts suggest this could be the biggest console launch of all time. The PS4 managed to sell 1 million units in 24 hours, while the PS5's launch was previously described as the "biggest console launch in history." Given the Switch 2 massively beat that figure in less than a week, the mantle appears to have been passed on.
The remarkable sales figures have come at a cost: widespread shortages across major retailers. Walmart, GameStop, Target and Best Buy were out of stock as of Wednesday. To get a hold of one, fans entered lotteries to buy consoles directly from Nintendo or lined up outside retailers when the Switch 2 went on sale.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has acknowledged the supply challenges, apologizing to customers and asking suppliers to boost production. The demand exceeded even Nintendo's internal expectations, with 2.2 million people in Japan entering the lottery to purchase the Switch 2 on launch day.
Despite the explosive start, Nintendo has modestly set its predicted sales for the year at 15 million units through March 2026. Industry analysts believe this target is conservative. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games maintains that the Switch 2 will sell over 20 million units in its first 12 months, while MST Financial's David Gibson expects 20 million sales for the fiscal year.
The Switch 2's $449.99 price point ($499.99 for the Mario Kart World Bundle) initially drew criticism, representing a significant increase from the original Switch's $299.99 launch price. However, the record sales suggest consumers are willing to pay premium prices for meaningful hardware upgrades. The company has successfully positioned the Switch 2 as a true next-generation upgrade rather than an incremental refresh.
The Switch 2's phenomenal debut establishes it as a serious contender for one of the most successful console launches in gaming history, setting high expectations for Nintendo's ability to maintain momentum throughout 2025.
