Nintendo consoles usually dominate the holiday shopping season, but the Switch 2 appears to have hit a softer stretch at the end of 2025. New reporting indicates that U.S. Switch 2 sales during November and December came in about 35% lower than what the original Switch achieved during the same period of its launch year. A similar pattern was seen across several European markets, while Japan held up better by comparison.
So what’s behind the slowdown? One likely factor is that Switch 2 demand was extremely front-loaded. The system launched on June 5 and quickly surged, setting sales records right out of the gate. When a console sells that aggressively at release, it can pull forward a large portion of interested buyers—meaning fewer people are left to purchase during the holidays, even if overall interest remains strong.
There are also broader pressures at play. According to a Nintendo employee cited in the report, the current economic environment is “complicated,” and price sensitivity is playing a bigger role in purchasing decisions. Even though the Switch 2 hasn’t seen the kind of price increases that hit other systems, its starting price is still about $150 higher than the original Switch was at launch. With everyday costs rising for many households, that higher MSRP can be enough to delay a purchase—especially for families shopping for multiple gifts.
Another challenge may be the holiday game lineup, particularly in Western markets. The same source pointed to the “absence of a major Western game” as a key issue. While Metroid Prime 4: Beyond arrived in early December and had the kind of name recognition that should help sell hardware, some critics argue its marketing push didn’t maximize the moment. Meanwhile, other seasonal releases—such as Kirby Air Riders—were reportedly more compelling in Japan than in North America or Europe, which could help explain the regional gaps.
The comparison to the original Switch is hard to ignore. Back in 2017, Super Mario Odyssey launched in October and helped keep Switch momentum strong through the holidays. With Switch 2, there’s still no official confirmation of the next big 3D Mario entry. Fans also don’t have a clear timeline for a new Zelda game built specifically for Switch 2, despite ongoing rumors. For many buyers, especially late adopters, a must-have exclusive is often the final push to purchase new hardware.
Looking at international performance, the trends vary but still show a holiday dip in several key markets. In the UK, Switch 2 reportedly posted a 7% decline compared to the original Switch’s November and December performance in its launch year. France also stands out, with the original Switch reportedly outperforming its successor during the comparable period. Japan saw a decline as well, though not as pronounced as in other regions.
Even with this late-year slowdown, Switch 2 is still expected to finish 2025 at historically strong sales levels. It’s also worth noting that the wider console market has been under pressure, too. In the U.S., November was described as an especially bleak month for hardware overall, with the fewest gaming systems sold since 1995—an important context that suggests this isn’t purely a Switch 2 problem.
Heading into 2026, Nintendo faces a tricky landscape. Costs tied to components like storage and memory remain a concern across the industry, and that raises the possibility of a future Switch 2 price hike. Whether Nintendo can maintain momentum may come down to two things: keeping the console’s value proposition compelling as budgets tighten, and delivering a can’t-miss lineup of games that gives hesitant buyers a reason to jump in.
