Nintendo launches Switch 2 worldwide with record first-days sales

Nintendo released the Switch 2, the successor to its hugely successful Switch console, on 5 June 2025. The console went on sale across Japan, North America, Europe and other major markets on the same day, after a long run of anticipation following its formal reveal earlier that year.

The new hardware offered a larger screen, more powerful performance and backward compatibility with many original Switch games. It launched at a higher price than its predecessor, which drew debate about affordability and the effect of tariffs on console pricing. Nintendo launched the machine alongside new titles, including Mario Kart World.

The launch mattered because the original Switch was approaching the end of its life cycle, and Nintendo needed a strong successor to sustain its revenue. The company reported record sales for a Nintendo console in its first days on the market, and later said the Switch 2 had passed several million units within weeks. The launch set the baseline against which later sales and earnings have been measured.