A close examination of available data indicates the Nintendo Switch 2 has surpassed its predecessor in sales figures within Japan during its initial months of availability. This analysis draws from multiple industry reports and sales tracking sources, offering a detailed comparison of the two consoles' performance in the Japanese market.
Early Sales Performance of Switch 2 in Japan
The Nintendo Switch 2 has shown a strong start in Japan, with early sales data placing it ahead of the original Nintendo Switch during comparable periods. This performance is occurring against a backdrop of evolving market conditions and the legacy of the highly successful Switch 1.
Sales Data and Comparisons
Official figures and industry estimates provide a clear picture of the Switch 2's initial market penetration in Japan:
January 2026 Data: For the eighth month since its launch, the Switch 2 has been compared against the Switch 1's sales trajectory.
Year-Over-Year Growth: The Switch 2 contributed significantly to a nearly 40% growth in the Japanese gaming market in the preceding year.
Headline Title Performance: Games like "Mario Kart World" for the Switch 2 have achieved over 2.6 million units sold in Japan since June. In contrast, "Pokémon Legends ZA" for Switch 1 sold 1.5 million units, while its Switch 2 edition sold an additional 1 million units, indicating strong dual-platform appeal for some titles.
Hardware Unit Sales: Famitsu data reported Switch 2 hardware sales of 65,807 units in a specific February week, ranking it as the number one hardware. The cumulative sales in Japan have reached 4.37 million units to date.
Comparison with Switch 1: During its first Christmas period, Switch 2 sales in Japan were approximately 1.77 million units, a notable increase compared to the Switch 1's 2.3 million units in its corresponding period. This suggests a faster sales pace for the Switch 2 in Japan.
Market Context and External Factors
The Switch 2's launch and early sales are occurring within a dynamic market influenced by various factors:
Stock Shortages: Japan experienced stock shortages for the Switch 2 earlier in the year, which may have affected its immediate sales potential.
Macroeconomic Concerns: Market analysts are observing potential impacts from tariffs and increased memory costs, which could lead to a price adjustment for the Switch 2.
Broader Market Growth: The Switch 2's success is seen as a key driver for the overall growth of the Japanese gaming market.
Switch 1's Legacy: The original Switch, despite nearing the end of its lifecycle, is still considered a viable entry-level option, maintaining a stable but lower level of consumer interest.
Sales Performance in Other Regions
While the focus is on Japan, comparisons with other markets provide additional context:
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Global Sales: In its first Christmas period, the Switch 2 reportedly sold 2.64 million units globally, compared to 2.3 million units for the Switch 1. This indicates a positive trend in other markets as well, although some regions experienced a "softer first Christmas" compared to the Switch 1.
Nintendo's Overall Financial Health
The strong performance of the Switch 2 is reflected in Nintendo's recent financial results:
Q3 Revenue: Nintendo's revenue for the third quarter totaled $5.2 billion, an increase of 86% from the previous year.
Operating Profit: Operating profit reached $955 million, marking a 21.3% increase year-over-year.
Expert and Industry Observations
Industry analysts and publications have commented on the Switch 2's performance:
William D'Angelo, a VGChartz Sales Analyst, is actively tracking and reporting on these monthly hardware sales comparisons.
Videogameschronicle.com (VGC) has noted that Switch 2 sales remain "well ahead of Switch 1" in Japan.
VGChartz itself provides ongoing analysis through discussion threads and detailed articles on sales comparisons.
Conclusion and Future Considerations
The initial sales data from Japan strongly suggests that the Nintendo Switch 2 is outperforming the original Switch in the same timeframe after its launch. This performance is occurring despite potential supply chain issues and broader economic headwinds. The success of the Switch 2, coupled with strong software sales, is contributing to significant growth for Nintendo and the Japanese gaming market.
Further monitoring of sales trends over the coming months will be crucial to assess the long-term trajectory of the Switch 2 in Japan and its ability to sustain its early momentum against its highly successful predecessor.
Sources Used
VGChartz (Bing Search): This report is part of a monthly series by VGChartz Sales Analyst William D'Angelo, comparing hardware sales.🔗 Link: https://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=250205#::text=January%202026%20is%20the%208th%20month%20that%20the,of%20the%20Switch%201%20by%202.39%20million%20units.
Video Games Chronicle (VGC): Published on February 3, 2026, this article analyzes Switch 2 sales in comparison to Switch 1, noting strong performance in Japan despite softer global holiday sales.🔗 Link: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-switch-2-sales-remain-well-ahead-of-switch-1-despite-a-softer-first-christmas-in-some-markets/
Alojapan: This publication provides monthly sales comparisons for the Japanese market, including Switch 2 and Switch 1 data.🔗 Link: https://www.alojapan.com/1349229/switch-2-vs-switch-1-sales-comparison-in-japan/
Punch Jump: Reporting on February 16, 2026, this article highlights the Switch 2's number one ranking in Japan with 4.37 million units sold and details Nintendo's Q3 financial performance.🔗 Link: https://news.punchjump.com/2026/02/16/nintendo-switch-2-no-1-in-japan-feb-8-sales-4-37m-sold/
NintendoWire: Published on January 19, 2026, this article details the impact of the Switch 2 on the Japanese market and lists top-selling games, with a strong Nintendo platform presence.🔗 Link: https://nintendowire.com/news/2026/01/19/the-switch-2-helped-grow-the-japanese-market-by-almost-40-last-year/
Statista: This infographic from June 5, 2025, discusses Nintendo's console cycles and the Switch's success as its most successful home console.🔗 Link: https://www.statista.com/chart/5665/nintendo-video-game-hardware-sales/
