Nintendo’s Record Sales Driven by Switch 2 Momentum

• Nintendo reported a sharp rise in revenue and profit for the first nine months of its 2025/26 financial year, driven largely by strong Nintendo Switch 2 hardware sales.
• The console has already surpassed the early performance of its predecessor and delivered its best quarter yet.
• Software sales remain robust across both platforms, with several Switch 2 titles posting notable results.

Switch 2 Pushes Nintendo to Major Revenue Growth

Nintendo has released its latest financial results, revealing substantial growth across key metrics for the nine months ending December 31, 2025. Net sales reached ¥1.9 trillion ($12.3 billion), representing a 99.3 percent increase compared to the previous year. Operating profit rose 21.3 percent to ¥300.4 billion ($1.9 billion), while ordinary profit climbed 39.4 percent to ¥445.8 billion ($2.9 billion). Net profit also increased significantly, up 51.3 percent to ¥358.8 billion ($2.3 billion).

The company attributes much of this momentum to the success of the Nintendo Switch 2. The console has sold 17.37 million units since launch, including 7.01 million in the most recent quarter alone. This marks the strongest quarter for the system so far, surpassing its launch period performance. Nintendo notes that the Switch 2 is tracking ahead of the original Switch at the same point in its lifecycle.

The original Nintendo Switch continues to sell, though at a reduced pace. It moved 3.25 million units during the same nine‑month period, a 66 percent year‑on‑year decline. Despite the slowdown, lifetime sales have reached 155.37 million units, and 129 million people played on the system in 2025. This represents only a slight decrease from the previous year’s 130 million players.

Switch 2 Outpaces Its Predecessor

The Switch 2 launched in June 2025 and has already exceeded the original Switch’s early sales trajectory. During the first nine months of the 2018 financial year, the original console sold 14.86 million units following its March 2017 debut. Switch 2 has surpassed that figure despite launching later in the calendar year. Nintendo highlights this as evidence of strong demand for the new hardware.

Software sales for the Switch 2 reached 37.93 million units during the reporting period. While this is lower than the 108.93 million games sold for the original Switch, the older platform’s software sales declined 12.1 percent year‑on‑year. In the most recent quarter, Switch 2 titles accounted for 17.31 million units sold. Physical games still represent a majority of Nintendo’s sales, making up 58.7 percent of all titles sold in Q3.

Nintendo has also updated individual game performance figures. Mario Kart World leads the Switch 2 library with 14 million copies sold. Donkey Kong Bananza follows with 4.25 million units, while Pokémon Legends Z‑A has reached 3.89 million. Kirby Air Riders has sold 1.76 million copies, rounding out the list of notable performers.

A Strong Software Ecosystem Across Two Platforms

Nintendo’s dual‑platform strategy continues to support high levels of software engagement. The original Switch remains a major contributor to overall game sales despite declining hardware numbers. Its extensive library and large active user base help sustain demand. Meanwhile, Switch 2 titles are gaining momentum as more players adopt the new system.

The company notes that physical game sales remain a significant part of its business. This trend contrasts with broader industry shifts toward digital distribution. Nintendo’s audience continues to show strong interest in boxed titles, particularly during major release periods. The balance between physical and digital sales may influence future distribution strategies.

Switch 2’s early software lineup appears to be performing well. Mario Kart World’s strong sales echo the long‑term success of the franchise on previous platforms. Other titles, such as Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokémon Legends Z‑A, show healthy adoption across different genres. These results suggest that the platform is building a diverse and commercially successful catalog.

Nintendo’s lifetime Switch sales of 155.37 million units place the console among the best‑selling systems in gaming history. Only a handful of platforms have surpassed the 150‑million mark, highlighting the enduring appeal of the Switch ecosystem. The strong early performance of the Switch 2 indicates that Nintendo may be positioned for another long hardware cycle.