There have been a ton of rumors on Switch 2 ahead of the official April 2 Direct presentation, some far more reliable and interesting than others. While we had some firm new details coming by way of an FCC report as well as some hints at new features via patent filings and the like, not to mention trusted industry insiders with solid track records dishing up the goods, but a new report from Bloomberg and “analysts who regularly communicate with [Nintendo] and its software and hardware partners” might be one of the most compelling yet.
Pricing leaks and availability details on the new Switch 2 have been many, and several reliable sources have weighed in on the likely MSRP of the next-generation Nintendo console. But this recent Bloomberg report is more than likely the most reliable source we have seen yet.
Tokyo-traded shares are at an all time high in anticipation for what it is being called “gaming’s biggest ever launch.” Despite fledgling sales in recent quarters on the current lineup of Switch hardware, expectations across the industry are starting to skyrocket in anticipation of a massive Switch 2 launch as financial experts and industry insiders are predicting Switch 2 to be the biggest launch in gaming history.
Considering how long Switch gamers have been clamoring for a Switch Pro, and anticipation for the next-generation of Nintendo gaming peaking at an all-time high over the last year in the lead up to January’s official reveal, none of this is coming as much of a surprise to us.
That said, “gaming’s biggest ever launch” is a bold claim. Especially considering most analysts suggest Switch 2 will be the brand’s most expensive console ever, bringing it much closer in price to PlayStation and Xbox hardware. As we have heard previously, most folks with insider information and even some former Nintendo employees are expecting the same $399 launch price as the sources that “regularly communicate with [Nintendo]” Bloomberg is citing in its recent report.
The two most recent PlayStation hardware launches garnered 4.5 million units in sales apiece within the first quarter. Analysts expect Nintendo to eclipse these numbers with Switch 2.
Serkan Toto – a well-respected industry analysis firm out of Tokyo – said “they will sell boatloads of Switch 2 in the first months in particular, almost regardless of the price.” Continuing by saying that we can “expect a great software lineup in year one, from new Mario Kart and 3D Mario after eight years to Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Metroid Prime 4.There will also be third-party support from day one, most probably including blockbusters like Call of Duty.”
Toto is another trusted firm that believes we will be seeing a $100 price hike on Switch 2, jumping from the $299 on the current model up to $399 on the next-gen.
Adding further credence to these claims, Bloomberg says Yijia Zhai of UBS and Robin Zhu of Sanford C. Bernstein. Zhu both claim that the console will release in June with inventory numbers between 6 million and 8 million units – there was no word on region allocation for these units.
If sales go as excepted, it looks like Switch might indeed be the biggest launch in gaming ever, just as these trusted firms expect.
What does this all mean for gamers? Well, it’s hard to say for certain, but it does look like Nintendo is very much ramping up production and regional deliveries to support the financial industries expectations, which could very well mean the console will be available outside of re-seller scalper listings – at least to some degree.
These details also suggest the previous rumors from, let’s call them, less professional sources on the $399 list price will indeed ring true – a price I think most Switch gamers are at least prepared for. There are still some credible analysts that are citing somewhere between $399 and $449, and with Trump tariffs abound we aren’t going to dismiss a potential $150 price hike just yet. But either way the Switch 2 hype train is building at a fever pace and we are now under 3 weeks out from the official Switch 2 Direct.
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