The announcement arrives as Nintendo releases a high-profile remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which has earned strong critical reception on aggregator Metacritic with a score of 96.
In a concise corporate update, Nintendo stated that the newly launched Switch 2 has sold 26.35 million units globally since its June 2025 release.
The company also reiterated the enduring success of the original Nintendo Switch, which the statement places at 157.20 million units sold worldwide since launching in March 2017.
The release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake has been a major event for Nintendo’s platform strategy.
Metacritic’s aggregated score of 96 reflects broad critical acclaim and gives the remake strong visibility ahead of holiday-season sales.
Nintendo has historically used flagship Zelda releases to boost console interest, and the remake’s reception is likely to factor into the Switch 2’s early momentum.
Context and platform history
- Original Nintendo Switch launch: March 2017.
The hybrid console established Nintendo’s post-Wii U console era and became a long-running commercial success.
- Nintendo Switch lifetime sales (as reported by Nintendo): 157.20 million units.
- Nintendo Switch 2 launch: June 2025, with reported sales of 26.35 million units to date.
Industry perspective
The original Nintendo Switch helped reshape Nintendo’s software and eShop strategies, and the company’s move to release remakes and major first-party titles at or near hardware launches is a well-worn tactic.
Nintendo’s digital storefront and Nintendo Direct presentations continue to be primary channels for platform announcements, software reveals, and promotional support.
What this means
Nintendo’s published figures show the Switch 2 starting with a substantial install base.
The strong critical response to the Ocarina of Time remake is a timely boost for the platform, reinforcing Nintendo’s first-party strength.
As Nintendo continues to report official sales milestones, industry watchers will track how the new hardware’s trajectory compares with the original Switch’s long-term performance and historical console benchmarks.