According to data collected by journalist Christopher Dring, sales of the Nintendo Switch 2 slowed during the Christmas season across most markets, showing a noticeable decline compared to the original Switch’s performance during the same period in 2017.
For example, in the United States between November and December, Nintendo Switch 2 sales were 35% lower than those of the original Switch in 2017, the year the console first launched. However, it’s important to consider that the U.S. hardware market has been facing a difficult period in general.
Mixed Performance Across Europe
In Europe, the situation is mixed. In the United Kingdom, Nintendo Switch 2 sales during the last eight weeks of the year were 16% lower compared to the original Switch in the same timeframe of 2017. Despite this, total sales for the entire year saw a modest 6% increase.
In France — traditionally one of Nintendo’s strongest markets — annual sales of the Switch 2 were down by more than 30% compared to 2017. Other European countries showed similar downward trends, suggesting that the console’s performance across the continent has been uneven.
Japan, however, tells a very different story. As seen in the latest Japanese sales charts, the international slowdown of the Nintendo Switch 2 hasn’t affected its home market. The hybrid console continues to post impressive numbers there.
In Japan, the Switch 2 ended the year with sales only slightly below 2017 levels, selling 1.32 million units in the last nine weeks compared to 1.39 million for the original model — a decline of just 5.5%.
Looking at the full year, sales in Japan were up 11% compared to 2017, thanks in part to a budget-friendly version exclusive to Japanese consumers and a strong holiday lineup that resonated well with local gamers.
In other news, Nintendo Switch 2 has surpassed the total UK sales of three different consoles: Wii U, Dreamcast, and PlayStation Vita.
