The Nintendo Switch 2 had a difficult Christmas period, with sales falling short of what the original Switch achieved during its launch year. The latest data from Circana and NielsenIQ (via The Game Business) shows that while the console is not failing, its holiday momentum was clearly weaker, especially in Western markets.

Nintendo Switch 2 sales over the holiday period

In the United States, Switch 2 sales during November and December were about 35% lower than what the original Switch achieved during the same period in 2017, its launch year. This decline came at a particularly difficult time for the hardware market. Data from Circana shows that the US console market recorded its worst November since 1995, making it harder for any console to perform well over the holidays.

Nintendo’s latest console didn’t exactly have many big discounts over the festive period, though there were a few ways to grab a bargain, specifically during Black Friday, through wholesale retailers like Sam’s Club in the US. Although Nintendo hasn’t yet resorted to altering the price of the Switch 2, reports of RAM prices jumping 41% for the console’s memory may disuade Nintendo from going any lower than the current $449.99 MSRP.

Europe delivered mixed results. In the UK, Switch 2 sales during the final eight weeks of 2025 were 16% lower than what the original Switch managed during the same period in 2017. However, when Switch 1 sales are added, Nintendo’s total hardware sales in the UK during November and December 2025 were actually up 7% compared to the same period in 2017. Looking at the full year, Switch 2 sales in the UK ended 6% higher than Switch 1’s first year, despite the original console being on sale for 14 additional weeks.

The most disappointing performance came from France, which is usually one of Nintendo’s strongest European markets. The Game Business claims that Switch 2 sales in France were more than 30% lower than what Switch 1 achieved in its first year. While France stood out as the weakest market over the full year, the report notes that all major European regions saw slower sales momentum during the Christmas period. In Japan, performance was more stable. Holiday sales were slightly lower than the Switch 1 launch period, but full-year sales were stronger overall. 

A senior Nintendo employee told The Game Business that a difficult economic climate, higher hardware prices, and the lack of a major Western game release during Christmas made it hard to match the original Switch’s performance, but added that the company is still proud of what it achieved during a challenging year.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.