Nintendo Switch 2 Sales Forecast: 15 Million Units Targeted in First Fiscal Year, Explains President Shuntaro Furukawa

Nintendo has officially detailed its sales expectations for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, setting an ambitious goal of 15 million units sold during its first fiscal year.

This target, confirmed in the recently released English translation of the company’s end-of-year financial Q&A, is a slight increase over the original Nintendo Switch’s debut performance in 2017, yet is seen as measured given the high pre-launch demand, particularly in key markets like Japan. During the financial Q&A, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa shed light on the rationale behind the Switch 2 sales projection.

Furukawa acknowledged that the Nintendo Switch 2 carries a higher launch price compared to its predecessor, impacting the company's expectations for rapid early adoption.

He explained, “The Nintendo Switch 2 is priced above the original Nintendo Switch, so we have to be mindful of the challenges that come with a higher entry point.” However, he was quick to note the system’s backwards compatibility, stating, “Switch 2 supports existing Nintendo Switch software, providing continuity and a seamless transition for current users.” In order to overcome early adoption barriers and spur initial momentum, Furukawa cited strategic initiatives such as bundling the Mario Kart World game with the launch of Switch 2.

This move is aimed at replicating or even surpassing the strong market entry experienced by the original Switch.

Nevertheless, Furukawa cautioned that while launch enthusiasm is valuable, maintaining strong sales throughout the holiday season and beyond requires continuous effort.

“Momentum following the release is crucial, but our main challenge is to sustain that momentum into the holiday period and after,” he remarked. Addressing inquiries about the feasibility of reaching the 15 million sales forecast, Furukawa clarified that Nintendo’s estimate was not influenced by production bottlenecks or international tariffs.

He emphasized the company’s proactive approach: “To achieve sales of 15 million units, production will have to exceed that number.

We are bolstering our manufacturing capacity to be flexible and responsive to market demand.” Furukawa also reassured that Nintendo is committed to robust and ongoing distribution efforts and aims to surpass internal forecasts as the platform matures. Additionally, the Q&A provided further clarification on the direction of Switch 2’s hardware innovations.

Although some have perceived the new platform as a modest iteration, Furukawa maintained that fresh hardware and unique accessories have been developed from the ground up, emphasizing Nintendo’s dedication to quality and distinctive design.

“This is the new standard for Nintendo Switch,” Furukawa stated, highlighting that the company’s signature blend of creative hardware-software integration remains central to its vision. With the Switch 2, Nintendo continues to leverage the strength of its eShop ecosystem and legacy software catalog, seeking to convert a significant portion of its established userbase while attracting new adopters.

The company’s focused strategy and iterative hardware philosophy signal that the Switch format will remain at the core of Nintendo’s gaming portfolio for the foreseeable future.

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