The upcoming Switch 2 is expected to feature enhancements such as a larger screen and an updated stand while retaining the popular detachable 'joy-con' controllers.
The majority of Switch sales during this period came from the OLED model, which sold 5.07 million units, followed by the regular Switch at 2.74 million and the Switch Lite at 1.73 million.
Initial reactions to the Switch 2 announcements have been mixed, and there are concerns as Nintendo lacks a backup plan should the new console fail to meet expectations.
Nintendo has reported a significant drop in sales for the nine months ending December 31, 2024, with 9.54 million Switch consoles sold, marking a 30.6% decrease year-on-year as the company gears up for the anticipated launch of the Switch 2.
Despite the decline in hardware sales, Nintendo's latest game, Super Mario Jamboree, has achieved impressive success, selling over 5.6 million copies globally within its first eleven weeks.
To further bolster its brand, Nintendo is set to open Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida, in May 2025, which is anticipated to draw more visitors.
Revenue from new game releases has also seen a decline, dropping by 24.4% compared to the previous year, with only a few titles planned for early 2025.
Overall, Nintendo reported total sales of 956.2 billion yen for the period, with international sales making up 76.5% of this total, and an operating profit of 247.5 billion yen.
In light of these trends, Nintendo has revised its forecasts for fiscal year 2025, projecting hardware sales of 11 million units and software sales of 150 million units.
Interestingly, a considerable number of Switch owners are not closely following news about the upcoming Switch 2, despite the growing online buzz.
Fans are eagerly awaiting details on the release date and pricing for the Switch 2, although potential tariffs could increase costs for the new console.
Despite the sales decline, 129 million 'annual playing users' engaged with the Switch in 2024, reflecting sustained interest in the console eight years after its launch.
