Nintendo announced on Tuesday its intention to sell 19 million units of the Switch 2 console during the current financial year, a notable increase from its previous target of 15 million. The Switch 2 has quickly gained recognition as the fastest-selling gaming console globally following its launch in June, which was met with considerable enthusiasm from fans of popular games like Super Mario.
The company highlighted the strong sales performance of the Switch 2 since its debut, prompting an upward revision of its annual net profit expectations to 350 billion yen (approximately 2.3 billion USD), up from an earlier forecast of 300 billion yen. Nintendo reported that sales of its games, including Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, have been consistently increasing.
“We will aim to maintain the momentum of our released titles and continue to introduce new games to broaden the platform”s user base,” Nintendo stated. While the company is expanding into successful films and theme parks, its gaming consoles remain central to its business model. The original Switch saw a surge in popularity during the pandemic, with titles like Animal Crossing resonating deeply with audiences during extended lockdowns.
Since its launch in 2017, the original Switch has sold 154 million units, making it the third best-selling gaming console in history, behind Sony”s PlayStation 2 and the Nintendo DS. As of September 2025, Nintendo reported sales of over 10 million Switch 2 consoles in the first half of the fiscal year 2025-26. For the six-month period between April and September, the company recorded a net profit of nearly 200 billion yen, marking an 83 percent increase compared to the same timeframe last year, and is forecasting record annual sales of 2.25 trillion yen.
“The demand for the Switch 2 is expected to remain robust, particularly as sales grow in non-traditional markets such as China,” commented Darang Candra, director of East Asia and Southeast Asia research at Niko Partners. He expressed caution over whether the Switch 2 could replicate the original”s impressive sales figures of 150 million units. Candra emphasized that the long-term success of the Switch 2 will hinge on Nintendo”s ability to keep user engagement high with new titles and to successfully penetrate emerging markets in regions like the Middle East and parts of Asia beyond Japan.
In September, Nintendo celebrated 40 years since the launch of the first Super Mario Bros. game, a vibrant adventure filled with platforms and iconic characters. Analysts from Jefferies noted that Nintendo”s brand is poised for a significant uplift as the beloved Mario character will make its debut as a balloon in this year”s Macy”s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City. Furthermore, a sequel to the blockbuster Super Mario Bros. Movie is set for release in April 2026.
