Nintendo is already preparing investors for a slower Switch 2 year — but don’t panic, bro. This is less “console is cooked” and more “last year was gila strong.”
In its latest financial results briefing, Nintendo said it expects to sell 16.5 million Switch 2 units over the next financial year. That is lower than the 19.86 million consoles sold since launch, but Nintendo says the drop makes sense because demand was heavily packed into the launch window compared with past hardware generations.
Translation for normal people: the Switch 2 had a massive early rush, and now Nintendo expects sales to settle into a more regular rhythm.
Still faster than the original Switch
The important bit is that Nintendo believes Switch 2 will still be ahead of the original Switch at the same point in its lifecycle after 22 months.
That matters because the first Switch was not just a successful console — it became one of Nintendo’s all-time monsters thanks to years of strong software, family appeal, portability, and evergreen games like Mario Kart, Zelda, Animal Crossing, and Pokémon.
For Malaysia and SEA players, the question is whether Switch 2 can become that same long-term “one console for the whole household” machine. Nintendo has always had a strong casual and family audience here, but price is a real factor. If the hardware becomes more expensive globally, local buyers will feel it through official pricing, bundle deals, and especially grey import markups.
Price hikes are part of the story
Nintendo also confirmed a US price increase for the Switch 2, raising the console by US$50 to US$499.99 from September 1. Europe is getting a similar increase, while Japan’s cheaper region-locked Switch 2 model is also set for a price bump.
IGN also noted a Bloomberg report claiming Nintendo has been selling Switch 2 hardware at a loss, unlike the original Switch era. The same report said Nintendo has faced pressure from a falling stock price, while manufacturing costs are being affected by tariff concerns, component shortages, and conflict in the Middle East.
For Malaysian gamers, this is the part to watch. Even when Nintendo does not directly announce a Malaysia-specific change, global hardware pricing usually leaks into our market one way or another. If you are planning to buy a Switch 2, keep an eye on local retailers, warranty coverage, and whether bundles are actually saving money or just hiding the higher console price.
Software is doing serious numbers
Hardware may slow down, but Nintendo’s software lineup is clearly pulling weight.
Mario Kart World has reached 14.7 million units sold, including copies bundled with Switch 2 hardware. Donkey Kong Bananza is at 4.52 million units, while Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream has already hit 3.8 million in just two weeks.
Pokémon is also doing Pokémon things. Pokémon Legends Z-A sold 3.94 million copies on Switch 2 and another 8.85 million on Switch 1. Pokémon LeafGreen and FireRed have moved more than 4 million combined copies through the eShop, while Pokémon Pokopia also passed 4 million in just over a month.
Nintendo’s annual playing users stayed flat year-on-year at 129 million, which suggests the ecosystem remains huge even as the hardware cycle shifts.
The next wave of games
Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 calendar includes Yoshi and the Mysterious Book on May 21, Star Fox on June 25, and Splatoon Raiders on July 23. Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave is currently listed for 2026.
Rhythm Heaven Groove is also coming on July 2, though that one is listed as a Switch 1 title.
Fans are still waiting for more news on FromSoftware’s The Duskbloods, while rumours around a Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake continue to hang over the holiday season. Looking further ahead, Pokémon Winds and Waves is already scheduled for 2027.
Bottom line: Switch 2 sales may dip compared to its explosive first year, but Nintendo is still in a strong position. The real test for Malaysia and SEA is simple — can the console stay attractive once the launch hype cools and the price conversation gets tougher?
Source: IGN