Switch 2 Rumored, Original Switch Sales Decline

Nintendo's hardware sales forecast has been revised downward again, following lower-than-anticipated sales of the Switch console and its games.

For the first nine months of the fiscal year, Nintendo's dedicated video game console business saw a 31.7% year-on-year drop in sales, reaching 895.5 billion yen (approximately $5.7 billion). This decline is attributed to decreased sales of both the Nintendo Switch and its software titles.

Mobile and IP-related revenue also experienced a significant downturn, falling by 33.9% year-on-year to 49.7 billion yen (approximately $320 million). This is largely due to the challenging comparison with the exceptionally successful 2023 release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Consequently, gross profit decreased by 27.3% year-on-year to 565.5 billion yen (approximately $3.6 billion).

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New duel1ST2ND3RDSee your ResultsFinish playing for your personal results or see the community’s!Continue playingSee resultsNintendo has further reduced its financial forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2025, marking the second consecutive downward revision. The projected sales of Nintendo Switch hardware have been lowered by 1.5 million units to 11 million, while software sales are now anticipated at 150 million units, a reduction of 10 million.

While sales declines were expected for the eight-year-old Switch, the magnitude surpasses Nintendo's initial projections. Nevertheless, the Switch has achieved remarkable success, surpassing 150 million units sold. While overtaking the PlayStation 2's 160 million sales to become the best-selling console of all time might be unlikely, surpassing the Nintendo DS's 154 million sales remains a possibility.

Nintendo characterized Switch and software sales in the third quarter (ending December 31, 2024) as "stable, considering the platform's age."

Overall sales for the Nintendo Switch family of systems decreased by 30.6% year-on-year to 9.54 million units. Software sales also declined, dropping 24.4% year-on-year to 123.98 million units. However, Nintendo highlighted strong sales of several new titles during this period: The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (3.91 million), Super Mario Party Jamboree (6.17 million), Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (5.38 million), and Nintendo Switch Sports (2.63 million). Mario & Luigi: Brothership sold 1.4 million units.

Super Mario Party Jamboree stands out as a particular success. Within its first 11 weeks (following its October 17, 2024 release), it outperformed previous Mario Party titles on the Switch.

Significantly, active Switch users reached a record high of 129 million annual players in 2024, indicating continued engagement despite the console's age. This bodes well for the upcoming Switch 2 launch.

Nintendo acknowledged the year-on-year decline in Switch unit sales but emphasized continued consumer interest, with some holiday weeks even exceeding sales from the previous year.

Are you planning on getting a Switch 2?

Yes, on day 1! Nope, I’m fine with my current setup.I'm waiting to find out more – games, specs, etc!AnswerSee ResultsIn light of the recent financial report, investors will eagerly await the Switch 2's release. Nintendo confirmed upcoming releases for the original Switch: Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition (March 20th), and Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (both in 2025).

The Switch 2 was also mentioned, with Nintendo reiterating its planned 2025 release and referencing the January 16th hardware reveal video. A dedicated Switch 2 Direct is scheduled for April 2nd, along with hands-on events globally.