Switch 2 sales over holidays down 35% compared to Switch, with price and game selection factors

Nintendo hardware typically thrives during the holiday period, but 2025 may not have met expectations. The Game Business reports that U.S. Switch 2 sales in the final two months of the year trailed the first handheld by approximately 35%. Several European countries saw a similar trend, while the system fared better in Japan.

Why have Switch 2 sales slowed?

The handheld experienced incredible demand on its June 5th release date, breaking console sales records. With the pace slowing since, it’s possible the strong debut cannibalized potential buyers later in the year.

The Game Business suggests other explanations for the dwindling adoption. A Nintendo employee who spoke to the site described a “complicated economic landscape.” The Switch 2 price hasn’t yet risen like with the original Switch, PS5, or Xbox Series X. Still, the base version costs gamers $150 more than its predecessor did at launch.

Dealing with other rising expenses, the higher MSRP has likely become a greater deterrent. The same Nintendo source also noted the “absence of a major Western game.” Critics claim that the publisher fumbled the marketing campaign of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, a major early December release. Other holiday titles, such as Kirby Air Riders, had more appeal in Japan than in the Americas or Europe.

In 2017, the October arrival of Super Mario Odyssey helped maintain the Switch's momentum. With the follow-up console, there is still no official confirmation of the next 3D Mario. Despite rumors, gamers also lack a definite timetable for a new Zelda Switch 2 game.

Switch 2 holiday sales across the globe

Looking globally, the handheld recorded a 7% decline in sales in the UK relative to the November and December Switch performance. In France, unlike most countries, the Switch was more successful in its inaugural year than in its sequel. Finally, in Japan, sales also waned, but not to the extent observed in other regions.

Even with a holiday slowdown, Switch 2 sales for 2025 should still finish at historic levels. It’s also important to consider that all consoles are struggling to find buyers. November was a particularly grim month in the U.S., with the fewest gaming systems sold since 1995.

Nintendo will have to navigate a tricky marketplace in 2026. As manufacturers deal with higher storage and memory costs, the possibility of a Switch 2 price hike looms.