Early sales data shows that the Nintendo Switch 2 has become the company's biggest UK console launch in history, surpassing the previous record held by the Nintendo 3DS.
However, according to NielsenIQ sales figures reported by The Game Business, the Switch 2's launch sales in the UK still fell short of those for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in the region.
While the full sales total for the Switch 2 has not yet been publicly disclosed, it is expected to exceed the 113,000 units sold by the Nintendo 3DS in the UK back in 2011. Reports also indicate that launch sales were more than double those of the supply-limited Switch 1, which sold over 80,000 units in 2017.
Nintendo has largely managed to avoid the kind of hardware shortages seen during the UK launches of both the Switch 1 and the Wii, where some customers had to wait for weeks to get their hands on a new console.
So why didn't the Switch 2 outperform the PS4, Xbox Series X/S, or even the PS5—despite the latter facing severe stock constraints for months after its release? As The Game Business explains, the UK has historically been a challenging market for Nintendo, where Sony and Microsoft consoles have long been dominant.
High ownership rates across all three major platforms mean market share is more divided than in countries where Nintendo has a clear advantage over either Sony or Microsoft—such as Japan—or in regions where PlayStation significantly outsells Xbox.
Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery
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Another factor is the Switch 2's price in the UK, which starts at a relatively steep £395.99 without Mario Kart World, and £429.99 with the game included.
Earlier reports from Wccftech cited unverified French market data shared by a noted sales insider, claiming the Switch 2 sold 200,000 units at launch in France—doubling the record set by the previous fastest-selling console, the PS5. Additionally, the attach rate for Mario Kart World—the percentage of Switch 2 owners who purchased the game—reportedly exceeded 95%.
Nintendo is projecting global sales of 15 million Switch 2 units and 45 million game sales for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. Some analysts have described these targets as "conservative." The company has stated its goal is to match the successful launch of the original Switch.
If you're just starting out with Mario Kart World, you might find it helpful to learn how to unlock the game's secret Mirror Mode—including the ability to explore it in Free Roam using a clever Super Mario 64-inspired trick.
