Nintendo Cautiously Forecasts Switch 2 Sales Amid Tariff Uncertainty

Nintendo has unveiled a cautious sales forecast for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, setting expectations at 15 million units sold during the financial year ending March 31, 2026. Alongside this, the company anticipates selling 45 million games within the same period. The highly anticipated Switch 2 is set to hit the shelves on June 5.

In its financial report released today, Nintendo acknowledged the impact of the U.S. tariffs implemented on April 10, which are factored into their projections. However, the company also noted that any alterations to these tariff rates could potentially influence their forecast. "We will continue to monitor the situation to respond to changes in market conditions," stated Nintendo.

Daniel Ahmad, Director of Research & Insights at Niko Partners, described the 15 million unit sales target as "conservative." In a tweet, Ahmad suggested that Nintendo's cautious approach might be due to uncertainties surrounding tariffs, pricing, and production, despite the strong pre-order demand. He added that Nintendo could potentially revise its forecast upwards if the tariff situation improves. "However, the main issue right now is the knock-on effects already in motion, creating a challenging environment for a console launch, not to mention the threat of increased tariffs," Ahmad elaborated.

It's worth highlighting that if the Nintendo Switch 2 achieves 15 million sales in its inaugural year, it would rank among the most successful console launches ever, surpassing the original Switch's impressive first-year sales of 14.87 million units.

The demand for the Nintendo Switch 2 appears to be exceptionally high. Following a delay attributed to tariffs, pre-orders for the console commenced on April 24, with the price set at $449.99. The response to the pre-orders was overwhelming. Additionally, Nintendo has issued a caution to U.S. customers who pre-ordered through the My Nintendo Store, indicating that release date delivery cannot be guaranteed due to the intense demand.

For more detailed information on how to secure your pre-order, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.