Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 console has experienced high demand ahead of its release on June 5, 2025.

Pre-orders for the US$450 device sold out quickly on major US retail websites, including Walmart, Best Buy, and Target.

Despite technical issues during the pre-order process, most consumers were able to secure their orders.

In Japan, Nintendo received 2.2 million applications for its lottery-based pre-order system, with global sales estimated to hit 5 million units in the first week.

Analysts predict Japanese sales could reach 800,000 to 1 million units during launch week.

Despite being priced US$150 higher than its predecessor, demand for the Switch 2 remains strong, even amid broader economic concerns.

Nintendo has indicated that future price adjustments in the US may occur but provided no further details.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Switch 2’s $450 price point aligns with historical console pricing trends despite initial sticker shock

While the Switch 2’s $450 price tag represents a $150 increase over its predecessor, this follows long-established patterns in console pricing when adjusted for inflation.

The original NES launched at $199.99 in 1985, equivalent to approximately $500 in today’s dollars, while the SNES debuted at $199.99 in 1991, equivalent to about $400 today 1.

Nintendo’s pricing strategy reflects an industry-wide balance between technological advancement and market accessibility.

The unchanged price point for the original Switch ($299.99) for seven years was unusual in the industry, making the new $450 price more of a return to historical norms than a dramatic increase.

Consumer response to the Switch 2 pre-orders suggests that Nintendo’s loyal fan base is willing to accept this pricing strategy, especially for a significant hardware upgrade.

2️⃣ First-week sales predictions highlight Nintendo’s recovery from Wii U troubles

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