Nintendo has revealed new insights into the performance and adoption of its current-generation console, the Nintendo Switch 2, as part of its fiscal results presentation for the first half of fiscal year 2026. The company reported that approximately 84 percent of Switch 2 owners previously owned the original Nintendo Switch, highlighting a remarkably smooth transition between console generations. Alongside this, Nintendo confirmed a major strategic shift, with development efforts now centered primarily on the Switch 2 platform going forward.
Since its global debut in June 2025, the Nintendo Switch 2 has sold over 10.36 million units worldwide as of September 30. This figure marks the strongest launch performance for any Nintendo hardware within the company’s history. The console’s success has driven significant financial growth, with net sales rising by 110.1 percent year-over-year to 1,099.5 billion yen. Operating profit climbed 19.5 percent to 145.1 billion yen, while net profit surged by 83.1 percent to 198.9 billion yen. Nintendo described the early momentum as “positive,” particularly heading into the console’s first holiday season, although it acknowledged ongoing shortages in certain regions due to unexpectedly high demand.
The company emphasized that the Nintendo Switch 2 maintains the hybrid design philosophy of its predecessor—allowing players to “play anytime, anywhere, with anyone”—while introducing major hardware and software innovations. Among these are the new GameChat feature, which enables players to communicate via voice and video, and entirely re-engineered system architecture that allows for larger, more interactive game worlds. Titles such as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza were cited as early examples of how the console’s capabilities expand the boundaries of traditional gameplay.
Nintendo also detailed its upcoming software roadmap, including Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Kirby Air Riders, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition for the 2025 holiday season. Looking ahead to 2026, players can expect several high-profile releases such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Switch 2 Edition, Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Switch 2 Edition + Meetup in Bellabel Park, and Pokémon Pokopia. The company said it plans to maintain post-launch momentum through consistent first-party support and partnerships with third-party publishers.
In addition to its strong start, Nintendo highlighted that Mario Kart World, released alongside the console, has achieved near-universal engagement among early adopters, with roughly 90 percent of Switch 2 owners playing the title. Donkey Kong Bananza has also performed well, selling 2.6 million units in its first 12 weeks. Nintendo intends for both games to serve as evergreen titles, echoing the long-term popularity of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the original Switch.
Despite the clear shift toward the new hardware, Nintendo confirmed that it will continue to sell and support the original Nintendo Switch, citing sustained demand. The company noted that legacy software remains popular and that many titles originally developed for the first Switch are also being enjoyed on the Switch 2.
With the largest third-party software lineup of any Nintendo console at launch and an exceptionally high rate of returning customers, the Nintendo Switch 2 is well-positioned to carry the company’s momentum into the next stage of its business. Nintendo’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a stable hardware supply and ongoing engagement with both long-time fans and new players worldwide.
