.png)
TOKYO: Nintendo revealed on Wednesday that the Switch 2 had smashed records as the fastest-selling system in history, selling 3.5 million copies in its first four days.
The upgraded device, which features a bigger screen and more processing power, builds on the success of the original Switch, which was already the third best-selling console of all time.
The Switch 2 was released last Thursday amid overwhelming acclaim, with pre-orders selling out and gamers queuing at midnight openings worldwide.
According to the Japanese gaming company, the Switch 2 had "the highest global sales level for any Nintendo hardware within the first four days".
Analysts claimed it also surpassed industry records, outselling the original Switch and Sony's PlayStation 5, which sold 2.7 million and 3.4 million units, respectively, in their first month.
The important issue now is whether Nintendo can build on the original's early success.
The original Switch, which gained popularity during the epidemic with successful titles like "Animal Crossing," has sold 152 million units since its release in 2017.
"Sales momentum will be difficult to sustain in the long run," said Darang Candra of Niko Partners, a gaming industry research organization.
"It could be that consumers want to buy before potential price increases due to potential tariffs by the United States," he told the news agency AFP.
"Its long-term success will depend on Nintendo's ability to sustain engagement with new titles" and attract casual gamers in expanding regions such as the Middle East and Asian nations other than Japan, Candra added.
High Price
Nintendo expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 systems in the current fiscal year, almost similar to the original in the same period after its debut.
.png)
However, it will also need to persuade enough customers to pay the exorbitant price for its new product.
In the United States, the Switch 2 costs $449.99, whereas the first Switch cost $299.99 when it first launched.
Both are hybrid consoles that may be connected to a television or used on the move.
New games like "Donkey Kong Bananza" and "Mario Kart World"—which allow players to explore off-grid—are likewise more pricey than older Switch titles.
According to Candra, the Switch 2's price for American consumers is "a calculated move on Nintendo's part to avoid potential impacts from US tariffs".
A Japan-only edition costs 49,980 yen ($350).
Nintendo claims that the majority of its hardware for North America is manufactured in Vietnam, where US President Donald Trump has threatened with 46% tariff increases.
The Switch 2 has eight times the memory of the original Switch, and its magnetically attached controllers may be used as a desktop computer mouse.
New features that allow players to speak while playing online and temporarily share games with pals may also be appealing to youthful audiences who are accustomed to watching game streams.
And success is critical: while the "Super Mario" company is expanding into theme parks and popular movies, the Switch business accounts for almost 90% of its income.
