Latest 'Switch 2' Rumour Suggests Nintendo Is Preparing For An Enormous Launch

Initial shipments could dwarf previous systems

by · Nintendo Life
Image: Damien McFerran / Nintendo Life

A new rumour suggests Nintendo is aiming to produce around 7 million units for the launch of 'Switch 2'.

Coming fresh from Famiboards (via the GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit), the same user who took to drawing a sketch last month of what they claimed to be the upcoming console left a coded message suggesting Nintendo has finalised its launch quantity target for the Switch successor.

While the decoded message doesn't give precise numbers, the user indicates that Nintendo is targeting "roughly 2.5 times the volume from March 2017."

Now, Nintendo reported sales of 2.74 million Switches by the end of March 2017 (it released on 3rd March 2017) and the console was scarce at launch. Using that figure as a guide suggests Nintendo's goal is to ship in the region of 6.85 million units globally in time for launch - whenever that may be.

For comparison's sake, PS4 sold 2.1 million units in its first two weeks on sale, and Sony called PS5 its fastest-selling console after it sold 10 million systems in 249 days (the original Switch took 282 days to reach the same milestone). It's worth remembering that finding a PS5 was a challenge for a very long time - in many markets it was more than a year until you could walk into a store and buy one off the shelf.

For big consoles, demand typically outstrips supply during the launch period and Nintendo is seeking to remedy that and avoid customers having to resort to scalpers with this enormous (and as yet unconfirmed) figure of ∼7 million. Whether the firm will be able to actually sell all those systems at launch is another question. If there's substance to this rumour, however, it's clear that Nintendo intends to be prepared for what could be the biggest console launch ever.

A launch date for the "Switch successor" is currently unknown, although Nintendo plans to reveal the new system before the end of March 2025. The firm announced last month that the system will be backwards compatible with current Switch software.

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[source famiboards.com, via reddit.com]

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About Gavin Lane

Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found squashed beneath a Switch backlog the size of Normandy.

Comments 78

My body is ready

It would be good to have enough supply for the (likely) high demand. This would be a pretty big launch, and hopefully they won't all sell out right away!

For some reason i'm not that hyped, probably because I don't plan on buying it right away, I usually wait for the better version like this gen with the Switch V2 and then the OLED. I am excited to see the new 3D Mario tho.

I‘d love to order directly from Nintendo with my eShop account. Give scalpers no chance!

Looking forward to finally seeing what this system has to offer. We'll know more in at least 4 months.

one of those 7 million will be all MINE!!!

Yeah I'm fine waiting as long as necessary if it means a solid launch lineup and no serious problems ordering/finding the system at launch.

Here's hoping it helps with a smooth launch. I'm hoping to buy one at launch but I need to see the damn thing first, and that's probably not going to happen until after Christmas.

Day one!!!

If Mario & Luigi brothership get optimized for the new device, i will start again from scratch. This game is almost perfect

I don’t care what it costs or what is released with it, now that they confirmed BC they’ve got my money. I’m just waiting for the reveal and confirmation on how old games run on it to decide what I work on between now and then. Lol

For me it will really depend on the Zelda game that gets released on it. If it's a remake of ocarina of time, I will buy it in a heartbeat. If it's the rumoured breath of the wild remaster then I'll probably won't get it.

But the scarcity on launch day is part of the fun 🙃

I am starting to get annoyed with Nintendo for not even giving us a tiny teaser so far! Starting to think they won’t announce it until end of March!

Good luck for those who plan to buy it at launch, you're gonna have a difficult time getting them online and at retailers since scalpers will hog all the good deals. The only way you would be able to secured one with the MSRP is if you go camp outside retailers day one before the line appeared. Don't even pre-order cause you know those are gonna sold out the moment you placed your order not to mention server crash and all that. I say if you had a buddy working retailer, better let them secured one for you when the time comes. I on the other hand will be getting mine on year 2 of the system's life so the game library will be a bit massive and any issues with the console at launch will at least be resolve by then.

@Johnny44 March 2025 should had been the only month people should had expected for any Switch 2 announcement, Nintendo never promised anything with any other month before that. We know they're not gonna show anything about the successor at any point during the holiday or 2024 so to not take away sales from the current Switch.

@1UP-HUSKY a "remaster" of a Gen 9 (if technically crossgen) game? We aren't talking Sony here.🤔

I'm really excited for the launch. Looking forward to seeing what the launch lineup looks like.

Well, they've been sitting on them and stockpiling them for long enough now.. no surprise they have so many.

Since I need four for my lab party room I’m going to hold off for a revision.

The waiting game continues, I'm actually wondering if they'll do a big reveal during The Game Awards show next month.
I'm doubtful, though, it could sabotage holiday sales. I'm kinda feeling a late January or February reveal now, but I just want the news and actual release much sooner.

I'll take 3. Thank Youuu

I'm really excited to see the Switch 2 reveal and launch, but if the launch system doesn't have an OLED display, I'll probably wait for a mid gen refresh before I pick one up.

With my current Switch backlog, Steam Deck OLED, and PS Portal, I'm set at the moment as far as handheld gaming goes.

Either way I'm looking forward to the launch lineup, new Joy Con, Pro controller, ect.

I don't care about any handheld aspect. I only play on my TV. What I do care about is the games. I don't need the new console right away if there is no game of interest around for me to play it with.

This has probably been said a million times, but if it means my Switch library can run at better framerates, then by all means I'm gonna be there during launch season.

@nhSnork looking at the switch library I wouldn't be surprised if they would do it, it would probably still sell.

If it has a cartridge slot for Switch games I will get it at some point.
If it is just backwards compatible, no thanks, thats what happened in the PS3 era, where the new consoles cant read the old game disks but you can download them (ie have to buy them again) sorry but that was just greed.

This is good news and it makes sense. It’s a given that Switch 2 will sell like crazy. But even with that stockpile, I think it’ll be hard to find. I plan to try my best to get it asap, but definitely avoid scalping.

rumor. nothing more

Please don't be a pain in the ass to buy...
PS5 wasn't in stock locally or easy to get online for TWO years here.

@1UP-HUSKY Switch library examples sell as ports of tangibly older stuff (often with solid adjustments and changes like Skyward Sword's control schemes or Xenoblade's style and UI) or the Wii U games that first launched to a userbase of some 14 mln at most and naturally saw no backward compatibility from the medium/architecture shift. BotW will be playable on "Switch 2" day one.

September 2025 - my guess.

Given that that sketch looks like a school kid drew a standard Switch, Im not confident in this one.....

Okay that's a little insane.

Unless... With this kind of confidence I'd say it pretty confirms MK9 at launch.

yeah, good news

It will sell out at stores as is usual with new consoles, that’s just part of the inventory allocation. But initial orders at least in major centers, should hopefully be quickly fulfilled by Nintendo’s reps. I’m sure the Nintendo faithful will all get their precious launch hardware

It doesn't matter how much they prepare; this won't be easy to find for a while. I'm perfectly OK waiting a few months after launch if necessary. I'll guess the launch will have Mario Kart and maybe 3D Mario.

Also need to do like Valve did, allow current active members that have verified purchases on their accounts a chance to place an order for one system.

Aka those with active NSO/NSO+ memberships and say $50 or more in digital purchases the ability to order directly from Nintendo for the first 6-12 months. Avoiding fighting for them online at retail outlets, or in person, and avoiding scalpers.

Twas truly a genius move on Valves part on the initial Steam Deck ordering.

Edit - to be clear I’m not saying I deserve to be a priority over others, but all active subscribers and Switch players deserve a clear option to purchase without stress and hassle. Even if it means we wait a month or so for them to build our system. A guaranteed order for MSRP is all I ask.

Sony did the same for Ps5, but didn’t do it until after the retail fiasco.

With the delays and long lead-up to this release, it's no surprise they'll have more supply of hardware. This is good news, F- the scalpers!

7 million might last longer for a March launch but if it doesn’t release until the holiday next year it will be a scalpers paradise regardless.

Game news would be nice. And price. And, you know, console news. This is getting ridiculous now.🤷🏻‍♂️

Anybody think tariffs is why they’re doing this?

All rumors are fake until proven fake.

I'll be doing my best to get one at launch. I've never missed the launch window of a Nintendo system. I just hope they give me a chance to buy the console directly from Nintendo's online store. All current NSO subscribers should get a chance to get one without having to deal with scalpers.

Yes barring an economic pandemic next year I imagine that first 7 million units will sell out in a flash. Even without any major new releases, there's 140 million of us curious to play our Switch libraries on new hardware (hopefully with better performance!).

I was lucky to preorder a launch Switch - hopefully my luck will hold for Switch Deux!

I’m done listening to any rumors. I’ve given up hope that anybody’s credible

I'm saving for switch 2 pro! 😉

Regardless of the accuracy of this rumor, let's hope Nintendo is planning for a big launch so that all those interested in getting Switch's successor when it comes out or not long after will be able to do so!

@1UP-HUSKY My guess is a "Sequel" to OoT based on some stuff Aonuma said. I doubt they would re-remake it, but they could! I just see them doing a A link to the past/A link between worlds kinda thing, which I would happily spend my money on.

@Max_the_German Its something I always mention in any Survey since "Switch 2" was formally announced to be real and a Letter to the President I've written. Kind of like Sony did recently with a new batch of PS5s they released.

I've suggested at least a year of being on MyNintendo, 6 Months with a NSO Subscription or 3 Months with a NSO +Expasion Subscription. I suggested ~1000 Platinum Points or ~100 Gold Points for MyNintendo and just like the Controllers must have an active Subscription which I've ofc mentioned have a certain time frame too so someone can't just do a Free Trial on multiple emails. Thing is didn't know how to account for those on Family Memberships unless they can somehow allow 1 per profile per membership or something like that.

Also, Nintendo may want to launch sooner than expected if Tariffs really will be increased.

@Bunkerneath was this changed later? PS3s can read PS1 (and some can read PS2 as well), in addition to being able to buy them digitally for super cheape

7 million is a lot, but it also does not feel enough! Haha.
My intention is to order and pick up from Argos (I hope) and I will pay for most, if not all, in Nectar points! That is what I have been stockpiling them for!

My key hopes are that they are backwards compatible with physical games (nothing said on this even though they said that there is backwards compatible) and improved conformance.

Not expecting for all games to go full 60fps but would like games that had an inconsistent frame rate to become a solid frame rate (regardless if it is 30 or 60).

Those are the most important things for me. Anything else is a bonus.

All these rumours are killing me, just hurry up and announce it. The Switch made me get invested heavily into Nintendo in terms of playtime and money spent, even trying new Nintendo series I never bothered with before, so I'm really anticipating the Switch 2 even more so than I have any other console so hurry your ass up Nintendo!

Also hoping the launch line up is "Enormous".

Just tell me when I can preorder! Let's go!

@MeanBeanEgg I am right with you. I tend to come in right at the end of a generation, when the device has been refined and is relatively cheap and/or being promoted, and then I hoover up the top 100 games (more or less). I have plenty to get on with - at my current play rate I have about 10 years worth of games in my backlog (spanning from Gameboy to 3DS). I am following the news of course. I look forward to seeing what they do with their properties.

I call BS on this story.

1. Nintendo are default cautious even at the best of times.

2. All signals are pointing towards "Switch 2" being more of the same.

Sorry, but a "more of the same" console ain't shifting even 4 million units at launch, let alone 7.

Cost of living crisis will mean people aren't going to buy anywhere near the same number of consoles as original switch

it needs 10 million minimum unites day one, 7 million will not be enough to meet demand

I will get one but based on the leaks I don't see how it's that different from the switch. I'm hoping Nintendo will surprise me like they always do, unless this will be an upgrade like the Gameboy to the Gameboy Color

They should just hardcore Mario Kart 9 in the new Switch

@KBuckley27 some places will run out for sure.. its a global release and not the quirky nerdy thing the original one was viewed as

The only way I’d buy this system at launch is if a new animal crossing game launches with it. Otherwise why bother?

I’ll wait for the 2nd iteration

Make it a timed NSO+expansion pack exclusive and set the Internet aflame, Nintendo. The system will sell like hotcakes regardless, might as well have some fun the first week.

Can we stop posting articles on baseless rumors!!?!

7 million units for a world wide launch is not a lot..

@nocdaes The PS5 was more of the same, it's just a PS4 Pro+ with a different number and look how it sell.

Crossing my everything for a new Starfox at launch.

I didn't have any issue securing a Switch at launch so hopefully things will go just as smoothly this time around.

The launch is looking great for Nintendo Switch 2. İ think the launch will be great again. Because Nintendo Switch did a good launch.
İ did not had any problem with the launch from the Nintendo Switch. İt was so fun and excited.

And, they'll sell them all in a few days.

No Artificial Scarcity is good!

Screw scalpers, let those with a legitimate Nintendo Account be a priority for the first few months.

Is it a Switch 2 everyone talking about or a switch successor.
Finding it annoying & weird that people calling nothing more that a variation of the switch then describe it like a full on new console.
It's like calling the 3DS DS2, we already had the DS lite & the DSi, in fact 4 whole DS models before we had the 3DS.

I mean yeah, we just need a faster Switch with DLSS and some QoL stuff and they have a stratospheric hit.

I got 3DS, Wii U and Switch all on day one, next console ain’t gonna be different…

Day one, two or three for my household.

@RupeeClock I would say it’s obvious that buyers who are gonna wait seven years to buy the original switch are not concerned with buying a switch 2 at launch.

And another rumour! Seriously, guys...

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