The Switch 2 has not been released yet, so there are no official sales figures

Nintendo has not announced a release date for the Switch 2 as of early 2025. The console exists as a confirmed product — Nintendo's president acknowledged it publicly in 2024 — but it has not shipped to stores or customers. Without a release, there are no sales numbers to report, and any figures you see online are speculation or rumor.

Nintendo typically keeps sales data private until after a console launches and reaches certain milestones. When the original Switch launched in March 2017, Nintendo did not publish sales figures for several months. You can expect the same pattern with the Switch 2: an announcement of the release date, a launch window, and then periodic updates on how many units have sold once the console is in the market.

Key Takeaways

  • The Switch 2 has not been released, so no sales data exists yet.
  • Nintendo has confirmed the console is in development but has not announced when it will launch.
  • Nintendo typically waits several months after a console launches before publishing official sales figures.
  • The original Switch sold over 139 million units across its lifetime, which gives context for what a successful Nintendo console looks like.

What Nintendo has officially said about the Switch 2

In September 2024, Nintendo's president Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that a new console is coming, but the company has released almost no technical details or timing. Nintendo has not shown the hardware, announced a price, or set a launch window. The company typically reveals new consoles with a formal announcement event, followed by a pre-order period, and then a release date several months later.

This pattern means the Switch 2 likely will not launch until 2025 at the earliest, and possibly later. Until Nintendo holds that announcement event and sets a specific date, any sales numbers are impossible because the product is not yet available to buy.

How the original Switch performed in its first year

The original Nintendo Switch launched on March 3, 2017. By the end of that first year, Nintendo had sold approximately 14 million units worldwide. The console went on to become one of the best-selling gaming devices ever made, eventually reaching over 139 million units sold across its full lifespan.

The Switch's success came from its hybrid design — it works as a home console connected to a TV and as a portable handheld device. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey launched alongside the console and drove early adoption. If the Switch 2 launches with similarly strong games and maintains the hybrid form factor, it could follow a comparable sales trajectory, but that remains speculation until the console actually releases.

Why Nintendo keeps sales figures private until launch

Game console makers do not announce sales numbers before a product ships because there is nothing to measure. Pre-orders give some indication of demand, but Nintendo rarely discloses pre-order figures. Once a console launches, sales data becomes a way to show investors and the public that the product is succeeding in the market.

Nintendo reports sales quarterly to shareholders, so you can expect the first official Switch 2 sales numbers to appear in a quarterly earnings report sometime after the console launches. These reports typically break down hardware sales by region and compare performance to previous consoles.

Where to find official Switch 2 information when it launches

Nintendo's official website and press releases will be the first source for confirmed details about the Switch 2. When the company announces the console, it will publish specifications, pricing, and a release date on Nintendo.com. You can also sign up for Nintendo's email newsletter to receive announcements directly.

After launch, Nintendo's quarterly earnings reports (published on their investor relations website) will contain the most accurate sales data. These reports are public and free to read. Gaming news outlets will also cover the sales announcements, but the official Nintendo sources are the most reliable.

What factors will affect Switch 2 sales

The Switch 2's success will depend on several things: the price Nintendo sets, the games available at launch, whether it maintains backward compatibility with original Switch games, and how much more powerful it is than the current model. A console that plays existing Switch games and offers new features at a reasonable price will likely sell well. A console that breaks compatibility or costs significantly more could face slower adoption.

The timing of the launch also matters. If the Switch 2 arrives during a strong holiday season with major game releases, it will sell faster than if it launches in a slower period. Nintendo has learned from decades of console releases that launch timing and game availability drive early sales more than any other factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Switch 2 be released?

Nintendo has not announced a release date. The company confirmed the console is in development in 2024, but typically waits to announce a specific launch date closer to when the product will ship. Based on Nintendo's historical patterns, an announcement could come in early 2025, with a launch later that year.

Will the Switch 2 play original Switch games?

Nintendo has not confirmed whether the Switch 2 will be backward compatible with existing Switch cartridges and digital games. This is a major question for potential buyers, and Nintendo will likely address it during the official announcement. Backward compatibility could significantly boost early sales because existing Switch owners would not lose their game libraries.

How much will the Switch 2 cost?

Nintendo has not announced a price. The original Switch launched at $299 in 2017. The Switch 2 will likely cost at least that much, possibly more if it includes significant hardware upgrades. Nintendo typically reveals pricing at the same time it announces the release date.

Where can I pre-order the Switch 2?

Pre-orders are not yet available. Once Nintendo announces the console officially, major retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Walmart will open pre-orders. Nintendo's official store will also take pre-orders. You can check these retailers' websites after the announcement for availability.

Will the Switch 2 have better graphics than the original Switch?

Nintendo has not released technical specifications. A new console typically includes a more powerful processor and graphics chip, so improved visuals are likely. However, Nintendo's focus has historically been on gameplay and innovation rather than raw graphics power, so the upgrade may be modest compared to other gaming devices.