Nintendo's Switch 2 sales have plummeted, revealing a worrisome trend in the company's efforts to maintain momentum for its latest console. The system's holiday season sales were down significantly compared to last year's original Switch, with some markets experiencing declines of up to 35%.
The decline is attributed to the frenzied initial sales pace which has slowed down in many regions, particularly in the US and UK, where the older Switch model continues to sell well. This lingering presence of the original console may have a knock-on effect on the new system's sales, contributing to its relatively weak holiday performance.
The lack of exclusive titles that can propel the Switch 2 forward is another significant concern. Games like Pokรฉmon Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4 failed to generate the same level of excitement as early titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. This suggests that Nintendo needs a new system seller, much like its Switch predecessor did with Super Mario Odyssey.
The upcoming 2026 release schedule for the Switch 2 does not appear to offer many big-name exclusives, leaving fans wondering if the console will be able to recover from this slump. However, Nintendo may still announce some notable titles in the coming months, including a Switch 2 exclusive based on FromSoft's Souls-like game, Duskbloods.
For the Switch 2 to regain its footing in the market, it requires more system-selling exclusives and possibly some ports of popular games. The console's sales now that pent-up launch demand has been met suggest that Nintendo needs a new hit to drive momentum forward.
The decline is attributed to the frenzied initial sales pace which has slowed down in many regions, particularly in the US and UK, where the older Switch model continues to sell well. This lingering presence of the original console may have a knock-on effect on the new system's sales, contributing to its relatively weak holiday performance.
The lack of exclusive titles that can propel the Switch 2 forward is another significant concern. Games like Pokรฉmon Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4 failed to generate the same level of excitement as early titles like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. This suggests that Nintendo needs a new system seller, much like its Switch predecessor did with Super Mario Odyssey.
The upcoming 2026 release schedule for the Switch 2 does not appear to offer many big-name exclusives, leaving fans wondering if the console will be able to recover from this slump. However, Nintendo may still announce some notable titles in the coming months, including a Switch 2 exclusive based on FromSoft's Souls-like game, Duskbloods.
For the Switch 2 to regain its footing in the market, it requires more system-selling exclusives and possibly some ports of popular games. The console's sales now that pent-up launch demand has been met suggest that Nintendo needs a new hit to drive momentum forward.