After strong Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order sales, analyst projects larger console launch than PS4 or PS5

There has been obvious demand for the Switch 2, highlighted by recent numbers from Japan. The company registered 2.2 million lottery applications to reserve the console from the Japanese Nintendo Store. An updated Bloomberg report projects that the handheld could become the largest console launch of all time based on Switch 2 pre-order sales.

Switch 2 pre-orders began on April 24th in the US, where some buyers remain disappointed despite a rumored ample supply. Still, even without firm numbers from North America, the Switch 2 looks poised to set records. Pelham Smithers Associates assumes that Japan accounts for around a third of worldwide demand. As such, Nintendo could accumulate up to 6.6 million pre-orders before its June 5th release date.

The PS5 sold between 2.1 and 2.5 million systems during its first two weeks. Selling 2.1 million consoles in the same period, the PS4 had similar results. The Switch 2 could easily eclipse both, provided that Nintendo meets the demand. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa suggested that the manufacturer didn't have sufficient supply in Japan.

Fearing scalpers' greed, Nintendo has tried to amass a massive inventory of consoles. It's believed the company shipped more than a million handhelds to the US by the end of February. It continues to ramp up production, but Chinese tariffs have complicated Switch 2 pre-order opportunities. After a delay, the gaming giant decided against raising the Switch 2 price but did increase the cost of accessories.

Bloomberg's Takashi Mochizuki added on social media that the Switch 2 may sell 20 million consoles in its first year. That would surpass the original Switch's mark of 15.1 million units following its 2017 debut and is higher than some previous estimates.