Switch 2 Struggles This Christmas Despite Strong Launch Line-Up
New sales data reveals that while the launch of the Switch 2 was impressive earlier this year, its momentum has since waned, particularly during the holiday season, which didn’t quite match the original Switch’s stellar debut in its first year. A senior Nintendo employee attributed this slowdown to a “complicated economic landscape.”
Reports indicate that Switch 2 sales in the U.S. during the November and December holiday shopping period were down approximately 35 percent compared to the original Switch’s first Christmas in 2017. This decline aligns with recent findings from a retail tracker, which noted that U.S. console sales experienced their worst November since 1995. Despite initial expectations, it appears the Switch 2 is facing challenges similar to those affecting the broader market.
In Europe, the situation is also less than ideal for the Switch 2. In the UK, sales during the last eight weeks of the year were 16 percent lower than those of the original console in the same timeframe in 2017. However, it’s worth mentioning that overall, the Switch 2 has sold about 6 percent more in 2025 than the original Switch did in 2017 in the UK, providing a glimmer of hope. In France, though, the news is grim, with the Switch 2 selling 30 percent fewer units than its predecessor in its first year. Reports indicate that all major European markets experienced a slowdown in Switch 2 sales during the holiday season.
The senior Nintendo employee pointed to the challenging economic environment, including higher price points and the lack of a major Western game release during the Christmas season, as factors contributing to the lower sales figures. Nonetheless, they expressed pride in what Nintendo has achieved in a difficult year for the gaming industry. With ongoing tariffs, rising prices, and critical components being consumed by AI hyperscalers, it seems that 2026, much like 2025, may pose significant challenges for console manufacturers, including Nintendo.
