Nintendo’s latest console, the Switch 2, has made a thunderous entrance into the gaming market, selling more than six million units worldwide in its first seven weeks on shelves. The figure, confirmed in Nintendo’s most recent quarterly earnings report, places the system among the fastest-selling pieces of gaming hardware in history.

Launched on June 5, 2025, the Switch 2 arrived with a blend of upgraded performance, improved battery life, and a launch line-up that mixed major exclusives with high-profile third-party titles. The timing was deliberate Nintendo’s financial year was just beginning, and the company was aiming to start strong. By the end of July, it had already surpassed expectations.

What’s especially striking is how this launch compares with the original Switch. Back in 2017, the first hybrid console sold just under three million units in its first month. The Switch 2 has more than doubled that pace, despite dealing with the same global supply chain hurdles that have tripped up other electronics makers over the past few years.

Industry analysts attribute the rapid sales to several factors. Long-standing demand from the Nintendo fan base was one, but so was the careful positioning of the console as both a successor and a familiar continuation. The new system’s backward compatibility meant early adopters could immediately bring over their existing libraries, while improved hardware performance gave developers more room to create ambitious games without worrying about the older Switch’s limitations.

Nintendo has kept its sales forecast for the full fiscal year steady at 15 million units, but some market watchers believe the number could climb higher if supply remains steady. Already, titles like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and the long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong right around the corner have given the platform a strong start.

If momentum continues, the Switch 2 could set a record not just for Nintendo, but for the entire industry. For now, the company has a clear win on its hands and millions of players settling in for a new era of portable and home gaming.