Nintendo Switch 2 sales, after an impressive launch that established the platform as the fastest-selling console ever, witnessed a noticeable deceleration across Europe during the crucial holiday season.
According to verified data from industry tracker Games Business, major markets—including France—reported significant drops in sales momentum over the Christmas period, raising questions about the platform’s long-term growth in some of Nintendo’s most vital territories. France—known as one of Nintendo's strongest European markets—registered a particularly sharp dip.
Sales for the Nintendo Switch 2 in France were more than 30% lower in its first year compared to the original Nintendo Switch’s inaugural year, according to Games Business analysis.
This trend stands in contrast to the system's explosive start earlier in the year, when Switch 2 set new records for console launches both globally and in key European countries. Speaking with Games Business, a senior Nintendo representative attributed the seasonal slowdown to a set of interrelated factors.
"The current economic environment remains complex," the representative explained.
They cited higher retail price points for the Switch 2 as well as the "absence of a major Western game" release during the Christmas period as key elements that hampered demand.
These economic and market dynamics contributed to an environment where, despite early enthusiasm, consumer momentum waned during the holiday shopping window—a vital time for hardware and software sales. This pattern was echoed in several other major European markets, all of which experienced a tapering of Switch 2’s sales trajectory over the holiday season.
While Nintendo Switch 2 had previously outpaced its predecessor in units shipped during the launch window, the late-year figures fell short of matching the original Switch’s long-term benchmarks for regional growth, particularly in high-value regions like France and Germany. Despite this deceleration, the Nintendo Switch 2 remains competitive in the current console landscape, continuing to benefit from Nintendo’s robust first-party software lineup and a strong ecosystem via the Nintendo eShop.
The legacy of the platform’s predecessor, with its record-setting sales and global install base, positions Nintendo in a favorable strategic place, but the recent holiday results highlight the challenges of sustaining momentum amid fluctuating economic conditions and shifting consumer demand. As the Nintendo Switch 2 continues its rollout, analysts and industry observers will be closely watching how Nintendo adapts its strategies for European markets, especially as the company prepares for upcoming Nintendo Direct presentations and potential new game releases.
Historic sales milestones, global install base figures, and continued software support will be crucial indicators of whether the Switch 2 can regain its early momentum and solidify its position in the competitive console market.
According to verified data from industry tracker Games Business, major markets—including France—reported significant drops in sales momentum over the Christmas period, raising questions about the platform’s long-term growth in some of Nintendo’s most vital territories. France—known as one of Nintendo's strongest European markets—registered a particularly sharp dip.
Sales for the Nintendo Switch 2 in France were more than 30% lower in its first year compared to the original Nintendo Switch’s inaugural year, according to Games Business analysis.
This trend stands in contrast to the system's explosive start earlier in the year, when Switch 2 set new records for console launches both globally and in key European countries. Speaking with Games Business, a senior Nintendo representative attributed the seasonal slowdown to a set of interrelated factors.
"The current economic environment remains complex," the representative explained.
They cited higher retail price points for the Switch 2 as well as the "absence of a major Western game" release during the Christmas period as key elements that hampered demand.
These economic and market dynamics contributed to an environment where, despite early enthusiasm, consumer momentum waned during the holiday shopping window—a vital time for hardware and software sales. This pattern was echoed in several other major European markets, all of which experienced a tapering of Switch 2’s sales trajectory over the holiday season.
While Nintendo Switch 2 had previously outpaced its predecessor in units shipped during the launch window, the late-year figures fell short of matching the original Switch’s long-term benchmarks for regional growth, particularly in high-value regions like France and Germany. Despite this deceleration, the Nintendo Switch 2 remains competitive in the current console landscape, continuing to benefit from Nintendo’s robust first-party software lineup and a strong ecosystem via the Nintendo eShop.
The legacy of the platform’s predecessor, with its record-setting sales and global install base, positions Nintendo in a favorable strategic place, but the recent holiday results highlight the challenges of sustaining momentum amid fluctuating economic conditions and shifting consumer demand. As the Nintendo Switch 2 continues its rollout, analysts and industry observers will be closely watching how Nintendo adapts its strategies for European markets, especially as the company prepares for upcoming Nintendo Direct presentations and potential new game releases.
Historic sales milestones, global install base figures, and continued software support will be crucial indicators of whether the Switch 2 can regain its early momentum and solidify its position in the competitive console market.
