Nintendo Switch 2 Surpasses 26 Million Sales as Original Switch Keeps Going

Nintendo Switch 2 has crossed another major sales milestone. According to Nintendo’s latest financial results, the hybrid console reached 26.35 million units sold worldwide by September 30, 2026, just under 16 months after its June 5, 2025 launch. That is a remarkable start for a system following one of the most successful consoles ever made.

The numbers were published as part of Nintendo’s earnings report on November 5. They also reveal a broader story: Switch 2 continues to attract buyers, but the original Switch is still selling hardware and an enormous amount of software nearly a decade after its debut.

Switch 2 sales by the numbers

Nintendo reported 6.49 million Switch 2 hardware units sold during the six months from April through September 2026. Of those, 2.67 million were sold during the July-to-September quarter. The lifetime total now stands at 26.35 million systems, compared with 23.68 million at the end of June.

Software is building alongside the installed base. Switch 2 has reached 73.21 million software units sold worldwide, including 24.49 million during the latest six-month reporting period. These are Nintendo’s reported sell-in figures, which include sales to retailers and direct sales to consumers; they should not be interpreted as a count of individually activated consoles.

The original Switch refuses to disappear

Perhaps just as striking is the longevity of Nintendo’s previous console. The first Nintendo Switch has now sold 157.20 million units worldwide, with cumulative software sales reaching 1.59 billion units. During April through September 2026 alone, Nintendo sold another 1.27 million original Switch consoles and 65.73 million software units for the older platform.

That software figure needs context. Switch 2 supports a substantial library of original Switch games, so continued sales of Switch software do not necessarily mean those games are being played exclusively on older hardware. The transition between generations is unusually flexible: a player can upgrade the console without abandoning much of their existing collection.

A strong launch does not guarantee an easy second year

Switch 2 sold 19.86 million units in the fiscal year ending March 2026, an exceptional launch-year performance. Its latest cumulative total shows that momentum has continued, although quarterly sales are naturally worth watching as the launch excitement settles and buyers weigh new games, hardware pricing and competing entertainment options.

Nintendo has maintained a forecast of 16.5 million Switch 2 units for the full fiscal year ending March 2027. With 6.49 million sold in the first half, that target leaves substantial sales to be delivered in the holiday season and the following quarter. Holiday demand is traditionally important for Nintendo, but the forecast is still a projection rather than a guaranteed result.

Games remain the key to the next milestone

The latest reporting period also highlights how important the software lineup is to the hardware business. Nintendo identified new releases such as Star Fox, Splatoon Raiders and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave alongside continued demand for Mario Kart World and Pokémon Pokopia. New releases can bring fresh buyers into the ecosystem, while established games give existing owners reasons to keep playing.

Nintendo’s wider financial results were mixed: revenue for the six months fell year on year, even as operating profit increased. That is a useful reminder that strong lifetime console sales and short-term financial performance are different measures. Hardware volumes, software mix and digital revenue all influence the final picture.

What happens next?

Passing 26 million in less than a year and a half puts Switch 2 in an impressive position. But its long-term legacy will be measured over years, not quarters. The original Switch has set an extraordinarily high bar, and its continued software sales show just how durable Nintendo’s platform can become.

For now, the headline is clear: Switch 2 is selling at a tremendous pace, while the original Switch remains relevant. The next holiday season and Nintendo’s upcoming games will help determine whether that early momentum can turn into another generation-defining success.

Where to find it

• Nintendo official investor relations