Nintendo is tempering expectations surrounding the much-anticipated Switch 2, despite the overwhelming launch demand sweeping across the gaming community. In their recent earnings report, the company revealed it expects to sell 15 million units of the Switch 2 by March 2026—falling short of analysts' predictions of 16.8 million.

While Nintendo hasn’t disclosed the reasoning behind this conservative estimate, market uncertainties, particularly regarding US tariffs, may be influencing their caution. Historically, Nintendo has been careful with its sales forecasts.

The Switch 2's launch, however, is sizzling hot, with resellers quickly selling out their stock, and Nintendo announcing that their own pre-orders might not even arrive until after the much-anticipated launch date of June 5th. The remarkable demand highlights the eagerness of fans for the successor to the beloved Switch, which has dominated the gaming scene for the past eight years.

Adding fuel to the fire, Nintendo faced delays in pre-order launches due to apprehensions over potential tariffs introduced during Donald Trump's administration, alongside grumblings from buyers regarding the console's hefty price tag of $450. Nevertheless, the hype is undeniable—Nintendo received a staggering 2.2 million pre-order applications in Japan alone, an avalanche that far surpassed their expectations.

Since the inception of the Switch series, Nintendo has sold over 150 million consoles worldwide, setting a remarkable precedent. The original Switch saw sales of roughly 17.79 million units within its first 13 months. If the Switch 2 continues on a similar trajectory, even with Nintendo's cautious estimates, it should usher in a successful launch year.

As the gaming world anxiously awaits the Switch 2 launch, all eyes will be on how well Nintendo navigates these challenges, especially considering the significant 30.3% dip in sales year-over-year as anticipation for the new console mounts. Will the Switch 2 live up to the hype and defy the odds?