Early sales data shows that the Nintendo Switch 2 has become the company's most successful console launch in UK history, surpassing the previous record held by the Nintendo 3DS.
However, according to NielsenIQ data reported by The Game Business, the Switch 2's UK launch sales were still below those of the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in the region.
While an official sales total for the Switch 2 is pending, it has certainly exceeded the 113,000 units the Nintendo 3DS sold in the UK back in 2011. Reports indicate its launch sales more than doubled those of the supply-limited original Switch, which sold over 80,000 units during its 2017 debut.
Nintendo has largely avoided the significant hardware shortages for the Switch 2 that plagued the UK launches of both the original Switch and the Wii, where customers sometimes faced weeks of waiting to secure a new console.
So, why hasn't the Switch 2 outperformed the PS4, Xbox Series X/S, or even the PS5—which itself suffered from severe stock shortages for months after launch—in the UK? As The Game Business notes, the UK has historically been a challenging market for Nintendo, largely due to the strong popularity of Sony and Microsoft consoles.
High ownership rates across all three major platforms mean the market share is more evenly divided compared to other countries. In markets like Japan, Nintendo holds a clear advantage over its rivals, while in others, PlayStation enjoys a more dominant lead over Xbox.
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The Switch 2's UK price point is another factor to consider. It is relatively steep, priced at £395.99 without Mario Kart World and £429.99 with the game included.
Recently, unverified French market data for the Switch 2 was shared online by a noted sales insider, as reported by Wccftech. The data claims the console sold 200,000 units at launch in France, doubling the previous record set by the PlayStation 5. Furthermore, the reported attach rate for Mario Kart World—the percentage of console owners who purchased the game—was over 95%.
Nintendo has forecast global sales of 15 million Switch 2 units and 45 million game sales for its current fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. Some analysts have described this projection as "conservative." The company has stated its goal is to achieve a launch on par with the success of the first Switch.
If you're just starting your adventure in Mario Kart World, you might appreciate some tips on unlocking the game's secret Mirror Mode, including how to explore it within Free Roam using a clever Super Mario 64-inspired secret.
