The Nintendo Switch 2 has become the fastest-selling console in history, surpassing Sony’s PlayStation 5 record with 10.36 million units sold in the four months from its June launch to September 30, 2025.

The Switch 2 sold twice as fast as the original Switch, while Sony’s PS5 took eight months to reach 10 million units.

Nintendo has raised its sales forecast for the financial year ending March 2026 from 15 million to 19 million units.

The original Switch continues selling, sitting just 10,000 units shy of the Nintendo DS, Nintendo’s most successful console with 154.02 million total sales.

Launching at $699, the Switch 2 is Nintendo’s most expensive console ever.

Exclusive games like Donkey Kong Bonanza retail for $104.

Despite industry concerns about pricing amid inflated living costs, sales numbers demonstrate that price hasn’t deterred consumers.

Launch title Mario Kart World, often bundled with the console, has performed strongly.

The sales figures predate the Christmas holiday period, a high point for the games industry, and don’t measure the effect of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which launched on October 16.

With Take-Two Interactive delaying GTA VI to November 19, 2026, Nintendo has the opportunity to dominate most of next year.

This marks the first console generation where prices have risen as systems age.

Previously, console prices decreased as manufacturers enjoyed shrinking silicon and component costs from rapid chip development.

Sony Interactive Entertainment’s VP of global marketing, Isabelle Tomatis, cited a “challenging economic environment” when Sony announced a $70 increase to all PS5 versions in the US market in August.

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series approach end-of-life, with discussion of inevitable “PS6” and next-gen Xbox beginning.

The Switch 2 likely won’t receive GTA VI due to technical limitations.

Nintendo is expanding its “internal game development organisation” and acquiring studios as subsidiaries, securing more IP and variety amid industry consolidation.

This could help Nintendo avoid irregular blockbuster “triple-A” game releases that have stymied PlayStation and Xbox momentum.

Unlike the underpowered original Switch, the Switch 2 offers a more capable platform for third-party developers without the resource-intensive demands of rival consoles that have caused ballooning costs and lengthy development times.

Nintendo’s 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie generated US$1.36 billion (approximately A$2 billion) globally.

Movies and TV shows adapted from video games typically boost respective game sales.

Nintendo is releasing a Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel and developing a Legend of Zelda motion picture.

As consoles become more expensive, the Switch 2’s $699 price appears more compelling.

Portability, convenience, and accessibility may be taking precedence over the hardware arms race.

Valve’s Steam Deck, a similarly priced portable console, underlines the trend.

Nintendo has carved a distinctive space in the console sector with icons like Mario and Pikachu, appearing to compete primarily with itself in its niche.