Nintendo Switch 2 Announcement Doesn’t Affect Sales of Original Console

Nintendo remains confident that the announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 hasn’t hindered the sales of its original hybrid console. This assurance comes after inquiries from shareholders questioning why the company adjusted its full-year financial expectations, scaling back its hardware and software sales forecasts by 1.5 million and 10 million units, respectively.

Addressing these concerns, Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, explained, “Our revised unit sales projections for both hardware and software were influenced by the sales patterns observed in the third quarter (October-December 2024), as well as projections for the fiscal year’s remaining months.”

Furukawa further elaborated, “We’ve altered our exchange rate assumptions, revising it from 140 to 150 yen per U.S. dollar. These changes, among other factors, prompted the modification of our annual forecast. Our decision to decrease the hardware and software projections reflects the holiday season’s sales trends.”

He highlighted the console’s impressive journey, saying, “With cumulative sales surpassing 150 million units, the Nintendo Switch boasts a robust install base. We kicked off the fiscal year with significant goals, fueled by an array of promising new releases and a stable of evergreen titles that engage over 100 million annual players.”

During the holiday bustle, Nintendo saw strong performances from fresh titles like Super Mario Party Jamboree across various regions. In territories outside Japan, bundles featuring Mario Kart 8 Deluxe contributed to stable hardware sales. Nevertheless, the numbers didn’t quite hit the ambitious targets set earlier in the year.

Furukawa acknowledged, “While there’s a possibility some held off on purchases anticipating the Nintendo Switch 2, many new customers worldwide bought the Nintendo Switch during the holiday season. In addition, people sought replacements or additional units.”

When discussing software sales, he mentioned, “Although we’ve seen a year-on-year decline, we don’t believe the anticipation of the new system considerably dampened sales, especially since Nintendo Switch titles will be compatible with the upcoming console. Still, the absence of a major hit, akin to last fiscal year’s The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Super Mario Bros. Wonder, meant we didn’t have a singular title to drive the business as powerfully this time.”

For those eager to learn about Nintendo’s next move, the company plans to unveil more about the Nintendo Switch 2 during a special Nintendo Direct presentation. Mark your calendars for April 2, broadcasting at 6 am PT / 9 am ET / 2 pm BST / 3 pm CEST.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is slated for a 2025 global release, though the exact launch date remains under wraps.