January 9th 2025.
There's been a lot of buzz about the potential launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 in April. With predictions that it will sell millions of units in the US alone, it's clear that fans are eagerly waiting for its release. However, some experts suggest that the first year of the Switch 2 may not be as strong as the original's.
But don't worry, the hype surrounding the Switch 2 is so intense that it's unlikely to have any trouble selling at launch. In fact, Nintendo is reportedly taking steps to ensure that there is enough stock to prevent it from selling out and to combat scalping issues. Of course, it's natural for Nintendo to want the Switch 2 to outperform its older sibling. However, it's important to keep in mind that this won't happen overnight.
Matt Piscatella, an executive director and industry analyst, has made some predictions about the Switch 2's sales performance in the US. He estimates that by the end of 2025, the console will have sold 4.3 million units assuming it is released in the first half of this year. These predictions are based on recent speculation and rumors that suggest Nintendo may unveil the console before the end of January and launch it in the spring.
Just this week, accessories manufacturer Genki showcased a replica of the Switch 2 at CES 2025 and announced that their accessories for the console will be released in April, further supporting the idea that this is Nintendo's target release window. If Piscatella's predictions are correct, the Switch 2 would account for about a third of all video game console hardware units sold in the US this year (excluding portable PC devices).
However, it's worth noting that it has taken this long for Nintendo to release new hardware because people kept buying the original Switch. While these sales numbers are impressive, they also suggest that the Switch 2 may not perform as well as its predecessor, at least in the beginning. The original Switch launched in March 2017 and by January 2018, it had already sold 4.8 million units, making it the fastest-selling console in the US.
Piscatella also believes that there will be hardware constraints for the first few months due to high demand and manufacturing capabilities. He predicts that the PlayStation 5 will outperform the Switch 2 and take the top spot for overall hardware units sold in the US this year. This isn't surprising, as the PS5 will have the whole year to rack up its sales without any stock constraints.
The success of the Switch 2 will also depend on its games. While nothing has been officially announced, there is speculation that confirmed Switch games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A may also be released for the new console. It's important to keep in mind that Nintendo has stated they will continue to support the current Switch for the foreseeable future, so both consoles are expected to coexist for a while.
As for specific release dates, Metroid Prime 4 only has a vague 2025 window and Pokémon Legends: Z-A's release date was leaked via Amazon. If you're interested in keeping up with all the latest news and updates on the Nintendo Switch 2, be sure to check out our website, follow us on Twitter, and sign up for our newsletter. And if you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to email us, leave a comment, or use our Submit Stuff page to easily submit letters and features.
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