Nintendo Switch 2 Set to Break Console Sales Records with 5 Million Global Launch Week Units

Nintendo Switch 2 Set to Break Console Sales Records with 5 Million Global Launch Week Units Nintendo is gearing up for yet another record-shattering hardware launch as the Nintendo Switch 2 readies for its global release.

According to a comprehensive report from Bloomberg, the highly anticipated follow-up to the Nintendo Switch is projected to move approximately five million units worldwide in its first week, a feat that would make it the fastest-selling console launch in history. The overwhelming demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 was made abundantly clear in North America, where eager fans rushed to secure pre-orders as soon as they became available.

In the United States and Canada, pre-orders for the Switch 2 opened yesterday, only to sell out immediately on major retailers, including Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and GameStop.

The $450 price tag did little to dissuade consumers, with inventory vanishing within hours. Industry analysis underscores the remarkable momentum behind the Switch 2’s launch.

Hideki Yasuda, an analyst at Toyo Securities, remarked in an interview with Bloomberg that launch week sales in Japan are expected to land between 800,000 and one million units.

"That translates to about five million units sold globally in the first week," Yasuda explained, emphasizing that such speed is without precedent for any gaming hardware release. The surge of interest in Japan has also been striking, with Nintendo of Japan reporting over 2.2 million applications for its lottery-based pre-order system.

The process was designed to favor long-term Nintendo fans, taking into consideration Nintendo Online account activity and at least a year’s subscription to the Switch Online service. Shedding more light on global demand, Pelham Smithers of Pelham Smithers Associates noted that Japan comprises approximately a third of the total Nintendo Switch user base.

Based on this ratio and initial pre-order data, he estimates total pre-orders could reach 6.6 million units before launch.

While this does not guarantee that all units will be delivered in the first week, it indicates that the Nintendo Switch 2 is on track for an exceptionally strong retail debut and first-year performance. Nintendo’s successful management of inventory and sustained demand signals another milestone for the company, consolidating its leading position in the gaming hardware market.

As fans worldwide continue to seek out new ways to secure a Nintendo Switch 2 console, industry analysts are unanimous: Nintendo’s latest platform is on pace to transform the gaming landscape in 2024. With launch hype at an all-time high, associated products such as officially licensed accessories, exclusive physical edition games, and promotional tie-ins are fast becoming sought-after, reflecting a robust start for Nintendo Switch 2 across all eShop and retail channels.

Keep an eye on official Nintendo Direct presentations and the eShop for the latest updates and availability on the Switch 2 and its growing launch library.

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