By Key Points
- Switch 2 becomes the fastest-selling game console ever
- 3.5 million units sold in just four days
- Beats launches records of PS4 and PS5
- Nintendo targets 15 million sales by March 2026
Nintendo has done it again. The newly launched Nintendo Switch 2 is now officially the fastest-selling home video game console of all time.
The company announced that it sold 3.5 million units of the Switch 2 within just four days of launch. This surpasses all previous Nintendo hardware records — and even beats Sony’s milestones for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Industry expert Daniel Ahmad from Niko Partners highlighted on X (formerly Twitter) that no other home console has ever reached these numbers this quickly. For comparison, it took Sony 16 days to sell 2.1 million PS4s, and the PS5 needed seven weeks to cross 4.4 million units — despite strong demand during a pandemic-driven chip shortage.
So what’s behind this explosive start?
This makes it not just the best selling Nintendo console in the first 4 days, but the fastest selling home video game console of all time. https://t.co/p0ZEUEHvKt
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) June 11, 2025
How Nintendo nailed the Switch 2 launch
Nintendo was ready.
The original Switch, launched in March 2017, built an enormous fan base, selling over 150 million units to date. Fans have been waiting for a proper successor — and Nintendo met that demand head-on.
Key factors behind this record-breaking launch:
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Inventory readiness: Nintendo had ample stock in major markets, avoiding shortages seen with other consoles.
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Smart preorders: The Switch 2 sold out at key US retailers even before launch day.
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Tariff pressure: Concerns over possible tariff-driven price hikes added urgency to early purchases.
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Midnight buzz: In the US, fans lined up at midnight or grabbed the limited remaining stock on launch day.
Nintendo Switch 2
Interestingly, while the Switch 2 didn’t clinch the biggest UK launch ever, it still secured the fourth spot, according to NielsenIQ. In the UK, units were relatively easier to find compared to the US.
Nintendo also seems to have benefitted from growing interest in handheld gaming, a space seeing innovation from companies like Microsoft’s handheld gaming PC and Steam Deck competitors.
Breaking now: Yo we wrote a new article comparing Micro SD Express cards for the Nintendo Switch 2. Wow apparently old Micro SD XC cards are not fast enough anymore! Micro SD XC Express is specific and fast 900 MB/s the future is wild but confusing! visit: https://t.co/lzZlq83wvK
— Truth Blast (@TruthBlast) June 12, 2025
Can Nintendo maintain this momentum?
The big question now: Can Nintendo sustain this breakneck pace?
The company aims to sell 15 million Switch 2 units by the end of March 2026. With 3.5 million units sold in four days, it’s off to a stellar start.
But some factors could slow sales:
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Tariffs may still impact future pricing and demand.
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Handheld competition — devices like the Steam Deck and Microsoft’s handheld gaming PC — could eat into Nintendo’s market share.
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Launch lineup: Analysts had expected strong initial sales even with a relatively thin list of launch titles. Whether Nintendo can keep the momentum depends on its upcoming game releases.
At the same time, advances in hardware and design are shaping expectations for new devices. Innovations like Liquid Glass design seen in smartphones could influence future gaming devices, including the Switch line.
Fast Fusion is one of the most technically impressive Switch 2 launch title
And it’s only a launch title.
Nintendo Fans are going to be eating good this gen https://t.co/Mhmsbnctjy
— An Average Gamer – N (@AnAverageGamerX) June 11, 2025
Additionally, as operating systems evolve — with Android 16 and Windows 11 Start Menu updates offering new features — cross-platform gaming experiences may also impact the console market.
Historically, the original Switch sold 17.79 million units in its first 13 months — beating Nintendo’s own expectations. The Switch eventually became one of the best-selling consoles of all time, with only the DS ahead in Nintendo’s lineup.
If Nintendo can keep this pace — or even come close — the Switch 2 may well rewrite console sales history once again.
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