Seasonal Switch 2 sales show significant slowing as annual cycle sunsets

"Lingering sales of the original Switch might also be contributing to the relatively weak holiday performance for the Switch 2. In the UK, at least, the older console is still selling well enough to buoy Nintendo's overall holiday hardware sales in the country to 7 percent higher than what the company achieved in 2017. That said, the transition from record-setting launch sales to relatively underwhelming holiday sales is a worrying sign for the Switch 2's market momentum."

"In 2017, the October launch of Super Mario Odyssey built holiday excitement for the Switch on top of earlier hits like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. For the Switch 2, holiday releases like Pokémon Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4 don't seem to have had as much impact as early system sellers like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza."

"Thus far, Nintendo's planned 2026 schedule doesn't seem primed to offer many big-name exclusive software to turn things around. The year's first-party lineup is currently anchored by standard sequels for second-tier franchises like Yoshi, Mario Tennis, and Fire Emblem, alongside slightly upgraded "Switch 2 Edition" re-releases of popular Switch games. Aside from Nintendo's own titles, the planned 2026 release of FromSoft's Bloodborne-esque Duskbloods as a Switch 2 exclusive could make some fans of the company's Souls-like games take a second look at the hardware."

Lingering sales of the original Switch helped buoy Nintendo's UK holiday hardware sales to 7 percent above 2017. Switch 2 transitioned from record-setting launch sales to relatively underwhelming holiday sales, signaling weakened market momentum. A lack of system-selling Switch 2 exclusives likely contributed to the underperformance, unlike 2017 when Super Mario Odyssey and earlier hits drove holiday excitement. Holiday releases such as Pokémon Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4 produced less impact than early system sellers like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. The 2026 schedule centers on sequels and Switch 2 Edition re-releases, with Duskbloods as a potential draw; more blockbusters are needed to revive sales.

Read at Ars Technica