Nintendo Admits Switch 2 Sales Fall Short Outside Japan Expectations
Nintendo faced challenges with its Switch 2 hardware sales outside Japan at the end of 2025. The company’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, admitted that overseas sales fell short of expectations during a recent shareholder meeting. Despite strong domestic performance, shareholders raised concerns about the underwhelming Western sales figures.
Switch 2 Sales Performance
Furukawa noted that the anticipated global hardware and software sales were unchanged, but the regional breakdown revealed different dynamics. He stated, “Domestic hardware sales volume exceeded our expectations, while overseas sales were slightly weaker than our expectations.”
Comparative Sales Figures
Recent data from The Game Business indicated significant disparities in sales between the Switch 2 and its predecessor. Key figures include:
- U.S. sales down by approximately 35% during the holiday period compared to the original Switch in 2017.
- UK sales lagging Switch 1 by 16%.
- Japan sales down by 5.5% over the final nine weeks of the year.
- France noting a decline exceeding 30% compared to 2017’s figures.
Even though these statistics temper the success of Switch 2’s first year, sales in Japan still outpace those of Switch 1 during the same period.
Factors Influencing Japanese Success
Furukawa attributed the strong performance in Japan to two game releases: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and Kirby Air Riders. These titles resonate strongly with Japanese audiences, leading to increased hardware sales. The Pokémon franchise, in particular, holds a unique appeal in Japan, often resulting in robust sales figures.
Challenges with Western Markets
Despite the success in Japan, the sales dynamics in the West are concerning. An unnamed source from Nintendo suggested that the absence of a major first-party title during the holidays contributed to disappointing sales figures. Interestingly, the highly anticipated game Metroid Prime 4—regarded as a significant release for Western players—has not met sales expectations following its December 4 launch.
Upcoming Releases
Nintendo is looking to bolster its Switch 2 lineup in 2026, which includes:
- Mario Tennis Fever – February 12
- Pokémon Pokopia – March 5
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park – March 26
- Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream – April 16
- Yoshi and the Mysterious Book – Spring 2026
- Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave – 2026
- Rhythm Heaven Groove – 2026
- Pokémon Champions – 2026
- Splatoon Raiders – To Be Announced
Nintendo’s future strategy will be critical as it aims to improve sales figures and meet consumer expectations for its popular Switch 2 platform.
