Today, June 5, is the first anniversary of the Switch 2, Nintendo’s successor to its best-selling console ever. The hybrid handheld has seen its share of highs and lows since launch, and it still feels like it hasn’t fully found its groove. Many people believe that the best is yet to come, and the next year will be key if Nintendo wants the Switch 2 to match the success of the original Switch.
With that in mind, let’s look back at the Switch 2’s first year, its biggest successes, and where Nintendo could do better in year two.
A strong start to sales
Switch 2 sales got off to a great start. In its first month, it sold 2.4 million units worldwide, beating Nintendo’s expectations and becoming the fastest-selling home console ever. By the end of its first summer in the US, it had set new sales records. As of March 31, 19.86 million Switch 2 consoles have been sold, putting it well ahead of the original Switch (15 million), PS4 (14.8 million), and PS5 (13.5 million) in their first years.
Momentum is slowing down
Even though the Switch 2 started strong, Nintendo expects sales to slow down. The company predicts it will sell 16.5 million more Switch 2 consoles in the next year, and if it reaches that figure, total sales after 22 months will still be higher than the original Switch at the same point.
Here come some new challengers
Since the original Switch came out, handheld gaming has changed a lot. PC gaming handhelds aren’t selling as many units as the original Switch, but they are still taking away some sales by offering powerful hardware and flexible ways to get games. Devices like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and others are impressive, but they’re expensive and could get pricier with ongoing hardware shortages.
Even with a price increase on the way, the Switch 2 is still one of the best entry-level consoles out there
Tech prices have gone up across the board lately, largely because of the AI boom. After holding off for a while and facing pressure from investors, Nintendo is raising the Switch 2’s price by $50 in September. Soon, the console will cost $500, but that’s still a good deal. Xbox and PS5 consoles are now more expensive than when they launched in late 2020, so the Switch 2 still offers plenty of bang for your buck.
Nintendo’s best games aren’t its first-party exclusives
Nintendo is famous for its top-notch first-party games, but so far, the Switch 2 lineup hasn’t fully lived up to that reputation. Launch titles like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond are good, but they don’t quite reach the heights of classics like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, or Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
Right now, third-party publishers and developers are carrying much of the load for Nintendo. Capcom, CD Projekt Red, and Square Enix have managed to get demanding games like Resident Evil Requiem, Cyberpunk 2077, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth running well on the Switch 2, while indie hits like Hades 2, Mina the Hollower, and Blue Prince are also must-plays. The downside is that these games are also available on other platforms, including PC handhelds, so players might choose to play them elsewhere.
Exclusives have always been the main reason to buy Nintendo consoles, but in the Switch 2’s second year, Nintendo needs to do more to stand out. There are some exciting games coming soon, like The Duskbloods, Splatoon Raiders, and the next mainline Pokemon game. Still, depending too much on third-party ports won’t be enough.
Nintendo still has a bad penny-pinching habit
Another concern is Nintendo’s habit of adding extra charges wherever possible. Many Switch 2 owners are frustrated that Nintendo charges for graphical upgrades to games they already own. By contrast, Sony and Microsoft often provide free updates, except for a few cases like The Last of Us remasters. Third-party developers also tend to offer free upgrades, but Nintendo continues to charge for even basic “Switch 2 Edition” games.
One of the worst examples of Nintendo’s nickel-and-diming is the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, an interactive demo that really should have been free with the console. Instead, Nintendo charged $10 for it, which upset many owners. Other choices, like putting online chat behind a subscription, experimenting with $80 game launches, and strict game-sharing rules have also frustrated Switch 2 users.
One positive change is Nintendo’s push to sell more games digitally. To cut down on the costs of physical games, the company now offers some exclusives for $50 if you buy them digitally. This could make the gap between physical and digital sales even bigger. With physical game sales slowly dropping and Game Key-Cards stirring debate, the future looks more digital than ever.
What’s next for the Switch 2?
The Switch 2’s first year has had ups and downs, but most people still feel positive about it. If Nintendo starts releasing exclusives more often, the Switch 2 could become the go-to place for top games, just like the original. To get there, Nintendo needs to keep up the momentum and deliver high-quality releases. The Switch 2 is already popular, but adding more games, keeping prices reasonable, and highlighting what makes it special should be Nintendo’s focus in year two.
- Read more: Nintendo Switch 2: One Year Later
