Nintendo Switch 2: expected sales decline and price increase
Intelligence Summary
- Nintendo expects Switch 2 sales to dip in its second year, even after a huge launch. Read more on forecasts and price hikes.
Nintendo Switch 2: expected sales decline and price increase
Nintendo has recently announced that it expects Switch 2 sales to decline in the console’s second year on the market. That comes after an unprecedented start, with the hybrid console selling nearly 20 million units in its first ten months.
Sales forecast and reasons for the decline
Nintendo’s forecast for fiscal year 2027 (running from April 1 through March 31) estimates that just 16.5 million Switch 2 units will be sold, down from first-year sales. Nintendo said it is not unusual for successful consoles to see sales fall in their second year, especially after such a strong launch.
Timeline
2026 - May 8: Nintendo expects Switch 2 sales to decline the following year, despite an active year.
2026 - May 8: Switch 2 sales reach nearly 20 million units almost a year after launch.
2026 - May 8: Nintendo lowers its 2027 sales forecast to 16.5 million units.
Changes to the sales strategy
With lower sales expected, Nintendo has already announced that the Switch 2 price will increase by $50 on September 1, 2026. That will bring the price to $499.99 in the US, with similar adjustments in other regions, including Europe and Japan. The price hike is intended to offset the falling share price and rising production and material costs caused by global economic challenges.
Sales and competition
During the fiscal year ending in March 2026, Switch 2 sold a total of 19.86 million units. Of those sales, 2.49 million units were sold between December 31, 2025 and March 2026. Nintendo said sales were more concentrated in the launch year compared with previous hardware systems. Despite the expected decline, Nintendo remains optimistic about the future growth of the Switch 2 install base.
Popular titles and upcoming releases
Software tied to the system is also playing an important role in Switch 2 sales. Mario Kart World has now sold 14.7 million units. Other popular titles include Donkey Kong Bananza with 4.52 million units sold, and Pokémon Pokopia, which sold more than 4 million copies within a month of release.
The upcoming lineup includes Yoshi and the Mysterious Book (May 21), Star Fox (June 25), and Splatoon Raiders (July 23). The release of these titles could also affect competition in the Switch 2’s second sales cycle.
Conclusion
The Nintendo Switch 2 has delivered impressive initial sales, but the announced price increases and expected second-year sales decline point to the challenges ahead for Nintendo. Even so, adjusting the price and rolling out future titles will be crucial to keeping the Switch 2 in a leading position in the hybrid console market.
