Nintendo said it will concentrate its development and business efforts on the Switch 2, signaling a gradual retirement of the original Switch while continuing to support existing demand and ongoing game development for the older system.
Company formally designates Switch 2 as priority
In its recent financial presentation, Nintendo announced that the Switch 2 will be the company’s primary focus going forward. That shift means the original Switch will enter a phased retirement, although it will remain on sale “taking into account consumer demand and the business environment,” the company explained.
New software for the original console is still in development, the company said, ensuring short-term releases for the remaining user base even as resources move toward the new platform.
Early sales show strong migration to new hardware
Since its June launch, the Switch 2 has sold more than 10.36 million units. Nintendo reported that 84% of those buyers upgraded from the original Switch, indicating high migration within its existing audience.
The company attributes the smooth generational shift in part to a robust library and successful titles that help keep players inside Nintendo’s ecosystem as they move to the new hardware.
Revised sales and software targets
Performance of the Switch 2 surpassed Nintendo’s initial expectations. In its latest report the company raised its hardware sales forecast to 19 million units through March 2026—an increase of more than 25% from the previous projection.
Software sales for the new console have also been strong: 20.62 million games have already been sold for the Switch 2, prompting Nintendo to boost its annual software target from 45 million to 48 million copies.
Impact on Nintendo’s finances
The Switch 2’s success is reflected in Nintendo’s financial results. Revenue grew 110%, reaching about US$7.1 billion (approximately R$38 billion) for the April–September period. The company now projects full-year revenue near US$14.6 billion (R$78 billion).
What players can expect during the transition
Although the original Switch will be phased out, Nintendo intends a smooth transition so both longtime fans and new users can continue enjoying core titles while exploring the new console’s features. Expected benefits with the Switch 2 include improved performance and graphics, deeper integration with online services, exclusives built for the new hardware and ongoing ecosystem updates.
Across its lifetime, the original Switch has sold more than 154 million units—still short of the PlayStation 2’s 160 million record. Nintendo hopes the Switch 2’s momentum will help the company approach or surpass that milestone.
