Nintendo is “proceeding with production to meet as large a demand as possible” for the Switch 2. Industry analysts predict the initial production run could exceed 10 million units, surpassing the original Switch’s launch numbers.
After revealing the upcoming console last month, the Japanese gaming juggernaut will be giving fans a “closer look” at the Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025, and the business’ president Shuntaro Furukawa has said the initial demand for the Switch 2 would be based on the response of the event. The original Switch’s reveal event in 2017 garnered over 100 million views across various platforms.
“As of now, we are taking the risk and proceeding with production to meet as large a demand as possible,” Furukawa told investors in a recent earnings call Q+A. The company’s proactive approach follows lessons learned from the semiconductor shortages that affected the gaming industry in recent years.
“As was true with the Switch, we believe it will not be easy to rapidly increase production capacity, so based on our prior experience, we are making preparations to respond as quickly as possible.” The original Switch has sold over 130 million units worldwide since its launch, making it Nintendo’s most successful console to date.
When asked whether fans could expect new titles on the original Switch after its successor launches, the Nintendo boss said the company “would like to continue” releasing new games for the device – such as ‘Pokémon Legends: Z-A’ and ‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’ – but noted exclusive titles were “crucial” for the success of next-gen consoles. This dual-support strategy mirrors Nintendo’s approach during the transition from the 3DS to the Switch.
“Since many people are playing Switch, if we are able to develop appealing software, we would like to continue releasing new titles. On the other hand, exclusive games are crucial when launching new hardware,” he explained. The gaming industry has shown that strong launch titles can significantly impact a console’s early adoption rates.
“With this in mind, we will consider various ways for Switch and Switch 2 to encourage as many consumers as possible to enjoy our games.” Market research suggests that over 70% of current Switch owners express interest in upgrading to the Switch 2.
The announcement comes as the global gaming console market continues to grow, with projections indicating it will reach $65 billion by 2027. Nintendo’s strategy of maintaining support for the original Switch while launching its successor demonstrates the company’s commitment to its extensive user base.
Industry experts note that Nintendo’s supply chain preparations for the Switch 2 launch are more robust than previous console releases. The company has secured multiple manufacturing partners and component suppliers to prevent potential bottlenecks in production.
The gaming community’s response to the upcoming Nintendo Direct event will likely influence the company’s production targets. Historical data shows that pre-order numbers typically correlate strongly with reveal event reception, particularly for Nintendo hardware.
Early reports suggest that the Switch 2 will feature significant technological improvements over its predecessor, including enhanced processing power and display capabilities. These upgrades are expected to attract both new users and existing Switch owners looking to upgrade.
Nintendo‘s decision to continue supporting the original Switch mirrors successful strategies from previous console generations. This approach has historically helped maintain steady revenue streams while new hardware establishes its market presence.
The anticipation for exclusive Switch 2 titles has already generated substantial buzz within the gaming community. Developer surveys indicate that many studios have been working on games specifically designed to take advantage of the new console’s capabilities.
