Nintendo Elevates Switch 2 Sales Forecast To 19 Million

Kyoto-based gaming giant Nintendo has raised its sales projection for the Switch 2 console to 19 million units for the fiscal year ending March 2026, up from a previous estimate of 15 million. The upward revision reflects stronger-than-expectations demand since the hardware's launch in June. The company reported that as of the end of September, 10.3 million Switch 2 units had been sold globally.

Sales momentum has been powered by key launch titles such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, the latter achieving over 3.49 million copies sold by September. Software sales for the Switch 2 have surpassed 20.62 million units, prompting Nintendo to raise its game sales forecast from 45 million to 48 million units.

Despite the strong performance, Nintendo acknowledged margin pressures. Its operating profit ratio for the first half of the fiscal year slipped to 13.2 %, down from 23.2 % in the same period the previous year. Nonetheless, the company expects full-year operating profit of ¥370 billion - a 16 % increase over its earlier outlook.

The elevated forecast comes as Nintendo braces for the crucial year-end holiday shopping window, which it describes as a“key proving ground” for sustaining momentum. To that end, it has scheduled several high-profile game releases, including Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Kirby Air Riders, to further drive console and software uptake.

Analysts note the Switch 2's performance stands out when compared with competing platforms. Within just the first four months after its launch, the console surpassed the early sales pace of both the original Switch and Sony's PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 models. The original Switch has recorded lifetime sales of 154.01 million units, edging toward the previous Nintendo record held by the DS.

On the production front, reports indicate that Nintendo is asking manufacturing partners to step up output in order to meet demand, with a target of producing as many as 25 million Switch 2 units by March 2026. Some analysts caution that sustaining momentum will depend on maintaining component supply amid geopolitical headwinds. Nintendo's launch of the Switch 2 coincided with trade-tension challenges, which tested its global supply chain resilience.

Market reaction to the news has been muted: while Nintendo's shares had climbed approximately 40 % year-to-date, they dipped just under 1 % ahead of the earnings release. Observers point out the short-term drop may reflect markets factoring in margin pressures and execution risk, rather than demand concerns.

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