Nintendo has reported record-breaking early sales of its Switch 2 console, with over 3.5 million units sold in just four days after its launch. Major US retailers like Walmart, GameStop, Target, and Best Buy are experiencing stock shortages due to the strong debut. While Nintendo has set a sales target of 15 million units by March 2026, some analysts believe this figure underestimates current demand. CEOs of gaming consultancy Kantan Games and MST Financial predict more sales records to be broken in the coming months.
Nintendo’s Switch 2, its first major hardware release in eight years, offers a larger screen, increased processing power, and a new GameChat2 feature. It is the company’s most expensive console to date, selling in the US for $449. Despite efforts to stock enough inventory, demand has outpaced supply, particularly in Japan. Over 2.2 million people registered for a lottery to buy the console on launch day. Global availability appears to have improved since the original Switch’s launch in 2017. Supply and pricing are further complicated by ongoing US trade tariffs, which have already affected Nintendo’s preorder strategy.