Nintendo Switch 2 Leads US Hardware Sales as March Gaming Spend Jumps
Nintendo Switch 2 is still moving serious numbers in the US, even with talk that demand there may not be as explosive as Nintendo hoped.
According to Circana senior director Mat Piscatella, total US video game spending hit $5.3 billion in March 2026, which is 12% higher than March 2025. For the first quarter overall, spending reached $14.6 billion, up 5% year-on-year.
The big winner was hardware. US console and hardware spending climbed to $500 million for March, a massive 69% jump compared to the same month last year. The main driver? Nintendo Switch 2, which finished March as the top-selling hardware platform in both units sold and dollar sales.
PlayStation 5 came in second across both measurements, for March and for 2026 year-to-date. PS5 spending was also up 3% compared to March 2025, with Circana noting a spending increase around the week ending April 4 after Sony’s latest price increase announcement.
For Malaysian and SEA players, the US chart matters more than it might seem. Big markets like the US often influence how much stock publishers and platform holders push globally. If Switch 2 keeps performing strongly there, Southeast Asian buyers may need to watch for tighter allocation, slower restocks, or more aggressive bundle pricing from import sellers. Basically, if you are waiting for a better deal on Shopee, Lazada, or local game shops, global demand still affects your wallet.
The Switch 2 is also comparing well against Nintendo’s original hybrid console. Circana says that across each console’s first 10 months on the market, Switch 2 unit sales are 12% higher than the original Nintendo Switch was at the same stage. It is currently described as the second-fastest-selling hardware platform in US tracked history, based on data from 1995 onward.
That is a strong position, although not everything sounds completely smooth behind the scenes. Reports have claimed Nintendo may be cutting Switch 2 production in the US region by around 30% after results came in below expectations. If true, that would suggest Nintendo is still trying to balance strong sales momentum with realistic regional demand.
Software will be the next big push. Nintendo has already announced release dates for Splatoon Raiders and Rhythm Heaven Groove, while reports also point to a possible new Star Fox game arriving this summer. There is also chatter about a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, potentially timed near the holiday season. None of those rumoured titles should be treated as confirmed until Nintendo says so officially, but the line-up hints at how aggressive the company could be for the rest of 2026.
For SEA fans, the takeaway is simple: Switch 2 is not slowing down yet. If Nintendo keeps pairing strong hardware demand with heavy hitters from its first-party catalogue, this console could become the default second machine for a lot of Malaysian gamers — especially players who already have a PC or PS5 but still want Nintendo exclusives, portable play, and party games.
Now the real question is whether stock, pricing, and official regional support can keep up. Because hype is one thing, bro — but in Malaysia, the final boss is always the actual checkout price.
Source: GamingBolt
