The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 has been officially unveiled following a series of leaks last month. Scheduled for release in 2025, the hybrid console is expected to generate significant demand as it follows the immense success of its predecessor, the Nintendo Switch. In preparation for the launch, Nintendo is taking steps to ensure that the supply of the new console meets this anticipated demand and to mitigate the impact of resellers on the initial stock.
Nintendo Plans to Meet Demand for Switch 2
Nintendo’s president, Shuntaro Furukawa, stated in an interview with Nikkei on Tuesday that the company intends to “prepare enough products to meet demand” for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 (translated from Japanese). Measures will be implemented to ensure that there is sufficient inventory at launch, curbing opportunities for resellers who often create supply shortages by purchasing products in bulk.
A report from Nikkei in February 2024 indicated that the decision to push the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 to early 2025 was influenced by the intention to obstruct scalpers—those who capitalize on high-demand products for resale at increased prices—from disrupting supply chains. Additionally, Nintendo is aiming to have a robust selection of launch titles available to accompany the console’s release.
This week, Nintendo revised its full-year sales projection for the original Switch, reducing estimates by 12 percent to 11 million units as consumer interest begins to shift toward the new model. Despite this adjustment, the Nintendo Switch has achieved lifetime sales of 150 million units, having shipped 9.54 million consoles during the April-December period.
The Nintendo Switch 2 was officially announced on January 16, following multiple hints about its design and features. The new console is reported to be larger than its predecessor, includes a revamped Joy-Con mechanism, and boasts an all-black color scheme. While specific hardware details remain under wraps, Nintendo plans to conduct a Nintendo Direct livestream focused on the Switch 2 on April 2.
