by Jon Scarr
Nintendo is ending the year on a high note. The company just raised its sales forecast for the Nintendo Switch 2 to 19 million units by March 2026, up from its earlier estimate of 15 million. It’s not hard to see why. The system’s launch has been nothing short of historic, outpacing every major console debut on record.
As of September 30, 2025, Nintendo shipped 10.36 million Nintendo Switch 2 units, making it the fastest-selling console of all time in its first four months. That puts it ahead of the original Nintendo Switch (4.74 million), PlayStation 5 (7.8 million), PlayStation 4 (7.6 million), Nintendo Wii (5.8 million), and even the Nintendo DS (5.3 million). For a system launching into a crowded market, that’s a staggering milestone.
Helping drive those numbers are big-name exclusives like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, both of which have been carrying the system since day one. The success is so strong that Nintendo also raised its profit forecast by 16%, now expecting to hit ¥370 billion in operating income this fiscal year.
It’s clear the hybrid formula still works, and with a massive holiday season ahead, Nintendo looks ready to prove that lightning can strike twice.
Nintendo Switch 2 Record-Breaking Launch
The Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t just selling well, it’s rewriting launch history. With 10.36 million units shipped by the end of September, it’s officially the fastest-selling console ever in its first four months on the market. To put that in perspective, the original Nintendo Switch sold 4.74 million in the same timeframe, while the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 both landed below 8 million. Even the Wii and Nintendo DS, two of the biggest successes in gaming history, didn’t come close.
A huge part of that success comes down to bundles. Mario Kart World shipped alongside 8.1 million units, which means nearly eight out of every ten Nintendo Switch 2 buyers got it as part of their console purchase. Another 1.47 million copies were sold separately, showing that even those who skipped the bundle couldn’t resist picking it up later. That kind of attachment rate is almost unheard of, and it shows just how much power Nintendo’s first-party lineup still has.
For comparison, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was the top-selling game on the original Nintendo Switch, but it never hit those kinds of percentages this early. Combine that with a solid second title in Donkey Kong Bananza, and you’ve got a launch window that completely dominated software charts.
Nintendo didn’t just move hardware, it built momentum. You can feel the energy behind this console in a way that mirrors the original Nintendo Switch launch back in 2017, only on a much larger scale.
Software Power and First-Party Dominance
If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed about Nintendo, it’s how much its first-party games drive everything. Out of 20.62 million dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 software units sold, two titles alone made up most of that success. Mario Kart World sold 9.57 million copies (counting bundle and standalone sales), while Donkey Kong Bananza reached 3.49 million. Together, they accounted for over 60% of all Nintendo Switch 2 games sold so far.
It’s another reminder that Nintendo’s biggest franchises remain unmatched when it comes to selling hardware. Other companies rely on third-party partnerships or technical showpieces. Nintendo just drops a new Mario Kart or Donkey Kong, and suddenly the charts belong to them. Even now, you’ll find Mario Kart World leading digital and retail rankings almost everywhere.
The fact that these two games alone could anchor the launch lineup speaks volumes. There are no massive third-party exclusives, no major bundles from outside publishers, just pure Nintendo magic doing what it does best. And the results speak for themselves.
When you look at how quickly the Nintendo Switch 2 hit record numbers, it’s easy to see the pattern. Strong launch titles pull in early adopters, and that momentum carries through to the rest of the library. With Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Kirby Air Riders, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond all landing within the first year, it’s hard to imagine this pace slowing down anytime soon.
Financial Results and Global Momentum
Nintendo’s latest financial report shows just how much the Nintendo Switch 2 launch has lifted the entire company. For the six months ending September 30, 2025, Nintendo reported net sales of ¥1.1 trillion, up an incredible 110% year-over-year. Operating profit rose 19.5% to ¥145.1 billion, while ordinary profit jumped 60.5% to ¥236 billion. Net profit nearly doubled, reaching ¥164.1 billion, which is an 84.8% increase from the previous year.
Regionally, sales outside Japan made up nearly 80% of total revenue, led by strong performance in North and South America. Digital sales dipped slightly, down 2.8% year-over-year, largely due to currency fluctuations and fewer download-only titles. That dip didn’t slow momentum, though, thanks to the Nintendo Switch 2’s higher hardware price point, which pushed overall revenue up.
Even with all that success, Nintendo still sees more room to grow. The company raised its full-year sales forecast from 15 million to 19 million units for the Nintendo Switch 2 and boosted its operating profit forecast to ¥370 billion. With upcoming titles like Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Kirby Air Riders arriving before the fiscal year ends, that confidence seems well placed.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Nintendo’s momentum with the Nintendo Switch 2 doesn’t look like it’s slowing down anytime soon. With record-breaking sales, massive demand, and some of the company’s biggest franchises still on the way, 2026 could be another landmark year. Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Kirby Air Riders, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will all hit within months of each other, giving Nintendo one of its strongest lineups in years.
And that’s just the start. Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition arrives on January 15, 2026, followed by Mario Tennis Fever on February 12, 2026. Spring brings even more major releases, including Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book. Later in the year, Pokémon Pokopia and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave will continue to round out what’s shaping up to be one of Nintendo’s busiest release calendars yet.
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said the upcoming holiday season will be a “key proving ground,” but it’s hard not to feel confident given how things are trending. The hybrid design still appeals to everyone, from long-time Nintendo fans to new gamers picking up a console for the first time.
Are you planning to pick up a Nintendo Switch 2 this holiday season? Let me know what game you’ll be starting with in the comments.
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