Switch 2 Hits 26.35M Sold, but Quarterly Sales Fall 41%

Nintendo's latest earnings show a console that is still selling, but more slowly. Switch 2 shipped 2.67 million units in the three months to September 30, down 41% year on year, according to CNBC. Lifetime sales now stand at 26.35 million, and Nintendo kept its full-year forecast at 16.5 million consoles.

Quick summary

• Switch 2 lifetime hardware: 26.35 million; original Switch: 157.20 million.
• Q2 (July to September): 2.67 million Switch 2 units, down 41% and below the 3.82 million of the prior quarter.
• First half (April to September): 6.49 million, down 37.4% from 10.36 million.
• Splatoon Raiders: 2.42 million; Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave: 1.34 million; Star Fox: 1.17 million.
• Full-year Switch 2 forecast unchanged at 16.5 million units to March 2027.

Why did Switch 2 sales drop 41%?

Two reasons come up in the coverage. First, last year's comparison quarter included the launch rush. Second, Nintendo raised Switch 2 prices in the US, Canada and Japan during the quarter because memory chips have become much more expensive. CNBC reports revenue of ¥448.2 billion and net profit of ¥73.5 billion for the quarter, both under analyst estimates (¥481.37 billion and ¥82.16 billion). Net profit for the quarter fell 29%.

Is Nintendo still making money?

Yes. For the half-year, net sales were ¥966 billion (down 12.1%) but operating profit rose 49.1% to ¥216.5 billion and net profit rose 11% to ¥220.9 billion, as listed by Nintendo Everything. Software mix and other income helped offset weaker hardware. Nintendo left its ¥2.05 trillion revenue forecast untouched.

Which games are selling?

Some outlets printed Splatoon Raiders as 2.24 million, but Nintendo's own results text says 2.42 million, which is the figure we use. Switch 2 software overall reached 24.49 million units in the half-year, up 18.8%.

What could lift sales next?

Investors are watching the Ocarina of Time remake. Kantan Games CEO Serkan Toto told CNBC it is Nintendo's only real blockbuster this fiscal year and that the console is now expensive. See our review roundup for how it scored. There is also chip supply news: Macronix leaving ROM production. New Pokémon games are planned for 2027.

Should you buy a Switch 2 now?

Prices are unlikely to fall while memory costs stay high. If you want the Zelda remake, buying now is reasonable; otherwise watch the deals page over Black Friday.

Related articles

Sony Earnings: PS5 at 97.9M, Wolverine 2.4M Sold, Profit UpBorderlands Hits 100 Million Sales: Borderlands 4 Plans for 2027AMD Gaming Revenue Falls 40% as Q3 Record Hits Data CentersMacronix Quits ROM: Are Switch 2 Cartridges Affected?