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Nintendo Switch 2 Sets Record as Fastest-Selling Console in Company History

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Nintendo announced on Wednesday that its recently launched Switch 2 console sold over 3.5 million units within the first four days, marking the fastest sales start for any Nintendo gaming device to date. The launch took place on June 5.

The Kyoto-based gaming giant projects that Switch 2 sales will reach 15 million units by the end of the current financial year in March 2026, reflecting strong global demand.

Doug Bowser, President and COO of Nintendo of America, highlighted the enthusiasm from fans worldwide, praising the Switch 2 as an enhanced gaming experience that works seamlessly both at home and on the go.

Since its debut in 2017, the original Nintendo Switch has sold 152 million units, supported by blockbuster games like “The Legend of Zelda” series and the viral success “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Switch 2 offers a more powerful performance, featuring a larger screen and upgraded graphics while maintaining many design elements familiar to Switch users. It launched alongside popular titles such as “Mario Kart World,” fueling the early sales surge.

Take-Two Projects Weak Q4 Bookings, Confirms Fall Launch for “GTA VI”

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Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO.O) projected lower-than-expected fourth-quarter bookings on Thursday, attributing the decline to reduced in-game spending on mobile titles amid ongoing economic uncertainties and high inflation. The company expects bookings to fall between $1.48 billion and $1.58 billion, slightly under analysts’ average estimate of $1.54 billion, according to LSEG data.

The broader videogame industry has faced headwinds over the past two years, including layoffs, studio closures, and canceled projects, fueled by weak sales and higher borrowing costs. Take-Two’s mobile games like “Empires & Puzzles” performed below company expectations, reflecting a trend of consumers cutting back on mobile game spending.

Despite the short-term challenges, Take-Two’s stock rose over 6% in extended trading after the company confirmed that the highly anticipated “Grand Theft Auto VI” remains on track for a fall 2025 launch. The long-running action-adventure franchise is known for its immersive sandbox gameplay and dynamic characters, with each new installment being a major event in the gaming industry.

Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter noted that confirmation of the launch date eased investor concerns about potential delays. Take-Two also reaffirmed expectations for higher net bookings in fiscal 2026 and 2027, driven by “GTA VI” and other major releases.

Beyond “GTA VI,” Take-Two is set to release several high-profile titles this year, including “Borderlands 4” and “Mafia: The Old Country.”

While the company’s third-quarter bookings of $1.37 billion fell short of the $1.39 billion consensus, Take-Two posted adjusted earnings of 72 cents per share, beating analysts’ expectations of 57 cents. The company also noted that Zynga, which it acquired in 2022, has nearly completed its integration into the Take-Two ecosystem and should contribute more significantly to profitability moving forward.

Nintendo Lowers Switch Sales Forecast Ahead of New Console Launch

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Nintendo (7974.T) has reduced its full-year sales forecast for the Switch console by 12%, now projecting only 11 million units sold as the device faces waning momentum ahead of the release of its successor later this year. Despite the decline, Nintendo remains focused on its console business, alongside its ventures into physical stores and expanding its brand with theme parks and films.

Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa acknowledged that while hardware and software sales remained solid for the eighth consecutive year, the company failed to meet its initial sales goals. For the period from April to December, Nintendo sold 9.54 million Switch units, bringing total sales to 150.86 million units.

The company previously announced plans to launch a successor to the popular Switch in 2025, with the unveiling scheduled for an upcoming Nintendo Direct event on April 2. The new device is expected to retain the hybrid design of its predecessor, which significantly revived Nintendo’s fortunes after the underperformance of the Wii U console.

As a result of the forecasted slowdown, Nintendo has lowered its operating profit estimate by 22.2%, bringing the expected figure to 280 billion yen ($1.8 billion) for the financial year ending in March. For the April-December period, the company saw a sharp 46.7% drop in profit, totaling 247.6 billion yen.