Nintendo Cautiously Forecasts Switch 2 Sales Amid Tariff Uncertainty

Nintendo has unveiled a "conservative" sales forecast for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, amidst ongoing uncertainties related to tariffs. In their latest financial report, Nintendo projected sales of 15 million units of the Switch 2 and 45 million game copies for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. The new console is slated to hit the shelves on June 5.

The forecast hinges on the assumption that U.S. tariff rates implemented on April 10 will remain unchanged throughout the fiscal year. However, Nintendo acknowledges that fluctuations in these rates could impact their projections. "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, labeled the 15 million unit sales target as "conservative." In a tweet, Ahmad suggested that Nintendo's cautious approach might be due to uncertainties around tariffs, pricing, and production, despite strong pre-order momentum. He further noted that Nintendo might revise its forecast upward 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 added.

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

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, maintaining its price point at $449.99. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Additionally, Nintendo has issued a cautionary message to U.S. customers who pre-ordered from the My Nintendo Store, indicating that release date delivery cannot be guaranteed due to the intense demand.

For more detailed information on securing a Nintendo Switch 2, check out IGN's comprehensive Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.