Nintendo Switch 2 is already outpacing the original Switch in success

The original Nintendo Switch enjoyed an excellent first year, largely fueled by major exclusives like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 appears to be off to an even stronger start, with sales reportedly up by around 45% compared to its predecessor over the same timeframe.

Industry analyst Mat Piscatella shared these figures in a recent Bluesky post, noting that the Switch 2 is significantly outpacing the original console during its launch year. Several factors may be contributing to this faster adoption.

For one, the first Switch launched shortly after the underwhelming performance of the Wii U, which likely affected early consumer confidence. That hesitation faded over time as strong first-party titles drove momentum, but it may have slowed initial sales.

In contrast, Nintendo seems to have taken a different approach with the Switch 2 by ramping up production ahead of launch. The company reportedly prioritized having ample retail stock available - even if it meant limiting development kit distribution. As a result, the console has been easier to find during its early months, despite briefly selling out in its first week. The original Switch, by comparison, faced more consistent shortages throughout its first year.

Even with this strong performance, the Switch 2 did not top console sales charts for February 2026. That position went to the PlayStation 5, which is expected to maintain strong demand throughout the year, partly due to high-profile releases like Grand Theft Auto VI. Nintendo, however, won’t benefit from that particular boost, as the game isn’t planned for Switch 2. Additionally, the next Pokémon titles, Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, isn’t expected to arrive on the platform until 2027.

With the Switch 2 now holding the title of Nintendo’s best-selling console ever, its hybrid concept has clearly left a lasting mark. As always, for the latest news on hardware launches and industry developments, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.