"Nintendo Switch 2 Looms as Original Switch Sales Decline"

Nintendo has once again adjusted its hardware predictions downward as both Switch sales and game performance have fallen short of projections. For the initial nine months of the current fiscal year, revenue from the dedicated game console division dropped by 31.7% compared to the previous year, totaling 895.5 billion yen ($5.7 billion). This decrease reflects weaker demand for both the Switch hardware and associated software.

Similarly, mobile and intellectual property-related earnings fell by 33.9% year-over-year to 49.7 billion yen ($320 million), largely due to challenging comparisons with the record-breaking success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023.

Consequently, the company's gross profit decreased by 27.3% year-over-year to 565.5 billion yen ($3.6 billion).

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New duel1ST2ND3RDSee your ResultsFinish playing for your personal results or see the community’s!Continue playingSee resultsNintendo has lowered its financial forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2025, marking the second revision within a row. The company now anticipates selling fewer Switch units than initially projected, reducing its estimates by 1.5 million for hardware and 10 million for software, bringing the total expected sales to 11 million units and 150 million software units respectively.

Despite these declines, which are expected given the Switch's maturity phase, the console remains highly successful with over 150 million units sold. While overtaking Sony’s PlayStation 2’s 160 million units might be unlikely, surpassing the Nintendo DS’ 154 million mark is within reach.

Nintendo characterized the sales of the Switch and its software during the third quarter ending December 31, 2024, as stable, considering the system's age. Overall, Switch family sales dropped by 30.6% year-over-year to 9.54 million units, while software sales decreased by 24.4% to 123.98 million units. However, notable releases such as The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (3.91 million), Super Mario Party Jamboree (6.17 million), Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (5.38 million), and Nintendo Switch Sports (2.63 million) performed well.

Super Mario Party Jamboree, in particular, saw impressive early sales, surpassing the initial pace of its predecessors on the Switch platform during the first 11 weeks post-launch.

Moreover, the number of annual active players reached 129 million in 2024, indicating sustained engagement with the Switch despite its age.

“Although Nintendo Switch unit sales declined year-over-year, the platform continues to engage consumers, with certain holiday weeks seeing higher sales than the corresponding weeks in the prior year,” the company noted.

Are you planning on getting a Switch 2? ---------------------------------------

Yes, on day 1! Nope, I’m fine with my current setup.I'm waiting to find out more – games, specs, etc!

AnswerSee ResultsInvestors are eager for news on the upcoming Switch 2, especially given Nintendo's recent financial updates. Upcoming releases like Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond are set to keep fans engaged until the new hardware arrives.

Nintendo mentioned that the Switch 2 Direct event on April 2 will provide further details, along with hands-on experiences planned globally.