Switch 2 launch could be “significantly bigger” than the OG Switch’s, but only if Nintendo can keep up: “When in history […] did a launch for a popular new console go smoothly?”

We’re nearing the release of the Switch 2, and despite calls to “reduce the price,” pre-orders are rapidly depleting globally. Some experts predict a “markedly larger” launch compared to the original Switch, but this depends on one crucial element: supply.

Dr. Serkan Toto, head of the Japanese gaming consultancy Kantan Games, is among those anticipating a “substantially” larger rollout for the console than the initial Switch. In his discussion with GamesRadar+, he notes that “the early momentum for Switch 2 versus 1 is incomparable,” emphasizing that in 2017, Nintendo had “just experienced a massive setback with the Wii U,” causing “many to dismiss the Switch initially.”

Regarding the Switch 2, he forecasts that the console “will not only sell out at launch (a given) but will also be difficult to find for weeks or possibly months afterward.” He elaborates: “Regrettably, we have witnessed numerous console launches: When has there ever been a smooth launch for a sought-after new console in gaming history?”

He adds: “I hope to be mistaken, and while I know Nintendo will exert their utmost effort, I would be astonished if you could just stroll into a shop and purchase a Switch 2 before late summer at the earliest.”

This view is shared by David Cole, CEO of the research and consulting company DFC Intelligence. He mentions that “the primary concern lies in whether Nintendo can fulfill initial demand, and subsequently maintain adequate supply throughout this fall and into the holiday period,” underlining that “supply deficiencies could cause significant challenges in the upcoming months.”

Games industry scholar Joost van Dreunen, author of the SuperJoost Playlist and instructor at NYU Stern School of Business, also believes that “obtaining a Switch 2 at launch may prove to be difficult.” He continues: “I expect inventory crises to persist through the holiday period and potentially into Q1 2026. The current global trade climate and tariff uncertainties have likely led Nintendo to adopt a more cautious approach to manufacturing and distribution.”

Mat Piscatella, analyst at Circana, emphasizes that “the success of the launch will hinge on the number of units available,” asserting: “While demand will likely exist worldwide, it doesn’t guarantee that units will be present.”

If Nintendo manages to provide an adequate number of consoles, “I don’t see why the launch of Switch 2 shouldn’t surpass that of the original Switch,” he mentions.

The console’s pricing and the announced Nintendo Switch 2 launch titles may not hold substantial significance in the immediate future, as he notes: “Pricing and available titles become far more crucial post-launch when we shift from price-insensitive enthusiastic day-one buyers to broader gaming fans.”

Nintendo anticipates selling 15 million Switch 2 consoles in its inaugural year, along with 45 million games, but has already signaled that the interest in the device has exceeded expectations. Let’s hope that those eager for one won’t face prolonged delays at the console’s launch.

Want to stay updated with all the Nintendo Switch 2 updates? Don’t forget to check out our summary of upcoming Switch 2 titles, too.

I’m the Deputy News Editor at GamesRadar+, collaborating with the news team to share exciting gaming stories we cherish. After dedicating countless hours to The University of Sheffield’s student newspaper with Pokémon and indie game coverage, and earning a degree in Journalism Studies, I began my career at GAMINGbible, where I served as a journalist for over eighteen months. I then transitioned to TechRadar Gaming as a news writer, sourcing articles on various captivating subjects. In my free time, you’ll often find me engaged on my Nintendo Switch or PS5, exploring narrative-driven RPGs like Xenoblade Chronicles and Persona 5 Royal, nuzlocking classic Pokémon games, or striving for a Victory Royale in Fortnite.