Switch 2 Becomes UK's Fastest-Selling Nintendo Console

Nintendo Switch 2 has become the company's most successful UK console launch to date, according to early sales figures, surpassing the previous record holder, the Nintendo 3DS.

However, Switch 2's UK launch sales still fell short of PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S performance in the region, as reported by The Game Business using NielsenIQ sales data.

While official sales numbers haven't been fully disclosed, UK Switch 2 sales have already exceeded the 113,000 units Nintendo 3DS sold in 2011. Reports suggest it more than doubled the supply-constrained Switch 1's 80,000-unit launch in 2017.

Nintendo has largely avoided the hardware shortages that plagued UK launches of both the original Switch and Wii, where customers previously faced weeks-long waiting periods.

Why hasn't Switch 2 outperformed PS4, Xbox Series X/S, or even the supply-constrained PS5 in the UK market? The Game Business notes the UK has historically been challenging for Nintendo due to strong Sony and Microsoft console adoption.

The market's high multi-console ownership creates more evenly divided market share compared to regions where Nintendo clearly leads (Japan) or where PlayStation dominates Xbox.

Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery

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The Switch 2's UK pricing also merits attention, launching at £395.99 without Mario Kart World or £429.99 bundled with the game.

Wccftech recently shared unverified French launch data from industry insider sources, claiming Switch 2 sold 200,000 units at launch - double PS5's previous record. Reportedly, over 95% of Switch 2 owners purchased Mario Kart World as their first game.

Nintendo projects selling 15 million Switch 2 consoles and 45 million games through March 2026. Analysts consider these forecasts conservative, while Nintendo aims to match the original Switch's successful launch trajectory.

For players just starting with Mario Kart World, tips are available for unlocking Mirror Mode and accessing special Free Roam features inspired by Super Mario 64 secrets.