Nintendo Switch 2 becomes fastest-selling console ever
Careful inventory planning, strong early demand, and meaningful hardware upgrades helped Switch 2 hit the milestone.
When the Switch 2 launched on June 5, expectations were high. But few could’ve predicted how fast those expectations would be blown away. But in just four days, Nintendo’s Switch 2 became the fastest-selling game console in history.
The company sold over 3.5 million units worldwide following its June 5 release, outpacing the launch performance of both its own consoles and competitors. Industry analyst Daniel Ahmad on X noted that the Switch 2 isn’t just Nintendo’s most successful launch, it’s now the fastest-selling home video game console ever.
That puts it ahead of the PlayStation 5, which took seven weeks to reach 4.4 million units, the PlayStation 4, which sold 2.1 million in a little over two weeks and even the original Switch, which managed to move only 2.74 million in its first month. The Switch 2 matched or surpassed them all, and did it with days to spare.
Kelechi Edeh
Nintendo’s numbers reflect a mix of careful planning and strong demand. Anticipation for a Switch successor had been building for years, and despite the US-China tariff threatening to affect sales, Nintendo managed to avoid the supply chain issues that hurt other launches. Preorders sold out quickly in many regions, and limited stock was still available at launch, particularly in the U.S.
That initial availability helped convert interest into immediate sales, even in markets like the UK, where the launch was less intense but still ranked among the top four in local console launch history.
Hardware improvements also played a role in the fast start. The Switch 2 features a larger, HDR-capable display, upgraded Joy-Con controllers, and a custom NVIDIA processor. It also includes 256GB of internal storage, expandable up to 2TB, and retains backwards compatibility with games from the original Switch, giving early adopters a familiar library while they wait for new titles to roll out. Still, its $450 price point and relatively modest launch lineup mean Nintendo will need to sustain interest beyond the opening days.
Whether that happens remains to be seen. Nintendo aims to sell 15 million units by the end of its current fiscal year, a target that looks feasible based on early performance but not guaranteed. Tariff pressures, limited exclusive content, and emerging competition from handheld alternatives like the Steam Deck could all affect momentum. The original Switch, released in 2017, ultimately sold over 150 million units, setting a high bar for its successor to clear.
For now, though, the Switch 2’s rapid start marks a strong early chapter in what could become another long console cycle for Nintendo.
David Adubiina
