Nintendo recently unveiled its financial results for the 2025 fiscal year (April 2024–March 2025), and during the company's online press conference held on May 8, President Shuntaro Furukawa shared insights into Nintendo’s ambitious expectations for the upcoming Switch 2, as well as potential challenges that could affect its success—including concerns tied to U.S. tariffs.
As the June 5 launch date draws closer, global anticipation for the Switch 2 continues to surge. This is particularly evident in Japan, where Nintendo’s official pre-order lotteries have seen overwhelming participation. In response to this high demand, the company has stated it is actively working to enhance production capabilities. Nintendo forecasts hardware sales of 15 million units and software sales of 45 million units globally during the 2026 fiscal year (April 2025–March 2026).
Moreover, Nintendo anticipates that the Switch 2 launch will significantly contribute to its overall financial performance in FY2026. The company projects a 63.1% increase in total sales to reach 1.9 trillion yen (approximately $13.04 billion USD), with final profits expected to rise by 7.6% to 300 billion yen (roughly $2.05 billion USD).
Despite these optimistic projections, Furukawa voiced concerns regarding the U.S. market and the long-term profitability of the Switch 2. As a next-generation console featuring enhanced capabilities and improved technology compared to the original Switch, the Switch 2 comes with a higher manufacturing cost—and consequently, a higher retail price.
Furukawa noted, “The unit sales price is high, and there are corresponding hurdles; however, we are aiming for a launch on par with (the first) Switch,” according to a report by the Yomiuri Shimbun. While the original Switch sold over 15 million units in its first year, Nintendo expects the Switch 2 to meet or exceed that benchmark.
Among the key challenges outlined were uncertainties related to the U.S., which has historically been Nintendo’s largest market. The president specifically highlighted apprehensions about the impact of potential U.S. tariffs—particularly under the Trump administration’s trade policies—on both consumer behavior and Nintendo’s profit margins.
During the virtual press briefing, Furukawa revealed that tariff-related costs could negatively affect Nintendo’s earnings by tens of billions of yen. He further explained: “If prices of daily necessities like food increase due to the tariffs, people may have less disposable income to spend on game consoles. Adjusting the Switch 2’s price point in response could potentially reduce demand.”
Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery
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While analysts have described Nintendo’s sales forecast of 15 million units for the Switch 2 as "conservative," they also acknowledge the unpredictable nature of current economic conditions, especially regarding tariffs. Nonetheless, consumer interest remains exceptionally strong. After a brief delay linked to trade policy concerns, Switch 2 pre-orders officially launched on April 24 at a fixed price of $449.99—and demand was as intense as expected.
Additionally, Nintendo issued a notice to U.S. customers who applied for a Switch 2 pre-order through the My Nintendo Store, stating that delivery by the release date cannot be guaranteed due to the overwhelming number of orders.
For more details, check out IGN's Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order guide.
