Nintendo’s recent financial briefing provided a detailed explanation behind its modest forecast for the Nintendo Switch 2, despite strong pre-orders and global anticipation. President Shuntaro Furukawa emphasized that the console’s higher price—compared to the original Nintendo Switch—is the primary reason for the 15 million unit launch projection. Keep reading for a recap of this week’s Nintendo Switch News. 

This number still places the Switch 2 in a strong historical position but falls short of some analysts’ higher estimates. Furukawa clarified that production is not a limiting factor. Nintendo has scaled manufacturing significantly and remains confident in supply stability throughout the fiscal year ending March 2026.

Nintendo Switch 2 Price: High Cost and Slim Margins (Nintendo Switch News) 

According to Go Nintendo and export data from Vietnam, the estimated manufacturing cost of the Switch 2 is $338. The retail price, however, is set at $450. While this margin might seem large, additional costs such as packaging, marketing, labor, and shipping significantly raise total expenditure. Nintendo has a long-standing philosophy of launching hardware with profit margins—even small ones.

Furukawa also noted that bundling software with the console is part of the plan to encourage early adoption. Despite the price difference from the 2017 launch of the original model, Nintendo remains focused on providing added value through compatibility with existing software and flexible production.

Will the Nintendo Switch 2 Be Hard to Find?

Unlike the scarcity issues faced during the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, Nintendo’s distribution plan for the Switch 2 appears more robust. With inventory reports from retailers like Best Buy, GameStop, and Target indicating decent day-one allocations—some stores receiving up to 60 units—it’s likely that shortages will not last as long.

Nintendo’s proactive production strategy, combined with positive pre-order numbers, shows confidence. Although the system is expected to sell out at launch, regular restocks should ease availability concerns through the 2025 holiday season.

Power Leap: Developers Praise Switch 2 Capabilities (Nintendo Switch News) 

Developers working on Borderlands 4 shared positive remarks about the hardware. Gearbox stated that they designed the game specifically with the Switch 2 in mind and highlighted how its form factor and performance allowed for a smooth development experience. They described the system as “very powerful” and said it “enables” them rather than holding back game design.

This shift marks a significant improvement from past Nintendo hardware, which often lagged behind in processing power. The inclusion of DLSS support and the T239 chipset—featuring a modern architecture with some elements related to Nvidia’s 40-series GPUs—suggests that the Switch 2 may hold its own with current-gen titles, especially when compared to the Xbox Series S.

Real-World Comparisons and Upgrades

Visuals from a recent Hogwarts Legacy trailer show dramatic improvement between the original Switch and the Switch 2. Load screens, textures, and frame pacing have all seen substantial upgrades. Moreover, Nintendo is offering a digital upgrade path for just $10 for those who already own the Switch version, making it a solid option for budget-conscious buyers.

Even physical edition owners reportedly qualify for this upgrade discount via the eShop, according to community posts. This model could signal a broader move among developers toward offering affordable next-gen upgrades for legacy Switch titles.

More Games Coming to Switch 2

Lastly, interest is growing from third-party developers. The team behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 acknowledged that due to the game’s success, discussions are underway about a potential Switch 2 version. While nothing is confirmed yet, the developer cited strong opportunities on the horizon, showing that support for the system is growing rapidly even before its full public release.