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Switch 2 sales are on fire as Nintendo’s flagship console emerges a bonafide hit

The Switch 2 has surpassed sky-high expectations for what is Nintendo’s most expensive piece of hardware to date.

Nintendo’s decision to stick to a winning formula for the Switch 2 is a testament to the original’s popularity. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

Nintendo raised its Switch 2 sales forecast on Tuesday, boosting confidence that the console will perform strongly during the busy holiday season.

The Kyoto-based company unveiled the Switch 2 , its most expensive gaming hardware yet, priced at $450, in June, alongside flagship titles priced at $80.

Nintendo now expects to sell 19 million Switch 2 consoles by March next year, up from its previous forecast of 15 million. As of September, the device had sold 10.4 million units. The company also raised its full-year operating income forecast by 16 per cent to ¥370 billion ($2.4 billion) and increased its dividend payout ratio to 60 per cent.

Nintendo is riding high on the strong momentum of the Switch 2 among consumers, with its stock up 40 per cent this year.

Nintendo has made significant hardware upgrades to the Switch 2, including a larger screen, improved Joy-Con controllers, and new social features. The Switch 2 is an upgrade to Nintendo’s blockbuster Switch console, which was released in 2017 and sold over 150 million units. Both are hybrid systems that can connect to a TV or be played on the go. Games such as Donkey Kong Bonanza and Mario Kart World have proved popular on the Switch 2.

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A kid tries the Switch 2 at Nintendo’s flagship store in San Francisco, California. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

Investors weren’t optimistic when Nintendo launched the Switch 2, calling it a hard sell at $450. Many also questioned whether the Switch 2 would be different enough from its predecessor to bring new users into the Nintendo ecosystem. However, with the Switch 2, Nintendo has flipped the script , and console sales appear solid. Investors are now eyeing the crucial holiday quarter, when Nintendo typically does its strongest business and video game sales are at their peak. Japan and the US remain Nintendo’s key markets.

The success of the Switch 2 proves that consumers are willing to pay a premium for a game console , especially when it’s launched by Nintendo. For Nintendo, the Switch 2 also represents a shift in strategy; in the past, its new devices have typically come with entirely new names. This time around, many existing Switch games are also compatible with the Switch 2 with beefier graphics, alongside brand new titles.

Anuj Bhatia

Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle. Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include: Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech. Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups. Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech. Authoritativeness & Trust Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape. Find all stories by Anuj Bhatia here. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. ... Read More

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