Nintendo’s Switch 2 has officially shattered records, becoming the fastest-selling home video game console of all time. The gaming giant announced that it sold more than 3.5 million units globally within the first four days of its June 5 launch.
The new console has outpaced even the launch of Sony’s PlayStation 5, which sold 3.4 million units in its first month. Daniel Ahmad, director of research and insights at Niko Partners, pointed out that the Switch 2 is “the fastest selling home video game console of all time.”
Despite its $449.99 price tag in the U.S.—Nintendo’s most expensive console to date—demand has overwhelmed retailers across major markets like the U.S. and Japan. Shoppers queued outside stores at midnight, and preorders that began in late April sold out quickly. In Japan, more than 2.2 million people registered for a lottery just to get a chance to buy one on launch day.
“This is the highest global sales level for any Nintendo hardware within the first four days,” the company confirmed.
The success of Switch 2 has been attributed to multiple factors. Nintendo was well-prepared with inventory in key regions, and concerns over possible U.S. tariffs may have encouraged early purchases. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, told CNBC, “All indicators pointed to high interest before launch,” and he expects “additional sales records to be broken in the coming months.”
Nintendo has set a goal of selling 15 million Switch 2 units by the end of March 2026. David Gibson of MST Financial believes the target may be too modest, projecting 20 million units sold within the first year.
The Switch 2 introduces major upgrades over its predecessor, including a larger screen, improved performance, and a GameChat2 feature for voice and video communication. New game releases like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza are also helping to fuel interest.
Darang Candra from Niko Partners offered a note of caution, stating that “sales momentum will be difficult to sustain in the long run.” He added that the console’s long-term success will depend on Nintendo’s ability to deliver compelling new games and appeal to casual players, especially in emerging markets.
The original Switch, which launched in 2017, has sold over 150 million units globally. With the Switch 2 off to such a strong start, Nintendo is once again in a prime position to lead the gaming market—if it can maintain the momentum.