Nintendo announced that its Switch 2 console sold over 3 million units on its launch day, breaking the company's previous first-day sales record. The launch, priced at $449.99, exceeded analyst expectations of 2 million units.
"The response has been extraordinary, and we are working to ensure availability meets demand through the holiday season," said Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa. "We appreciate the patience of consumers who were unable to find units at launch."
The Switch 2 features a larger 8-inch LCD screen, improved processing power capable of supporting games with graphics comparable to current-generation consoles, and backward compatibility with the original Switch library.
"Nintendo has executed a masterful transition, maintaining its core audience while attracting new players with enhanced capabilities," said gaming analyst David Gibson. "The backward compatibility is particularly significant."
Retailers reported sellouts within hours of launch, with eBay resellers offering consoles at significant premiums above retail price. GameStop CEO Matthew Gorman said the company received twice its allocated inventory and expects sustained shortages through the second quarter.