Switch 2 Will Sell Fewer Systems Than Previously Thought Due To Tariffs, Analyst Says

One research company has lowered its sales forecast for the Switch 2, due in part to "pricing" concerns surrounding the impact of tariffs. DFC Intelligence is downgraded its global Switch 2 sales forecast for 2025 from 17 million to 15 million units. Even at 15 million in 2025, the Switch 2 would be the "fastest-selling console system ever," DFC said.

The original Switch, along with the Wii and the PS4, took a year or more to reach 15 million in sales. DFC is predicting the Switch 2 will reach that mark from the June 5 launch to the end of 2025, or about 7 months.

DFC said its downgraded forecast is tied to "supply and pricing."

"With tariffs and uncertain pricing Nintendo may choose to scale back its manufacturing. If prices increase substantially due to tariffs, a significant portion of prospective buyers are likely to hold back on a purchase until prices come down," DFC said.

For what it's worth, Nintendo has not announced any official sales projections for the Switch 2. More insight is expected to come in May when Nintendo releases its next earnings briefing and talks to analysts and investors about the console and the company's overall outlook.

DFC said it was "relieved" to see Nintendo announce a $450 price point for the Switch 2 due to fears that "economic conditions" would result in Nintendo pricing the console at $500 or more. At $450, the Switch represents a "solid value," DFC said. However, after Nintendo delayed Switch 2 preorders due to the impact of tariffs, there are fears that Nintendo might announce a higher price point.

Some experts believe the Switch 2 will sell extremely well out of the gate due to pent-up demand and because people who buy shiny new products right away are not historically known to be price-sensitive.

DFC said on a longer-term outlook, the upper limit for Switch 2 sales is "enormous."

"The Switch 2 continues an established system and the ability to act as a portable device taps into Nintendo's rich history of offering portable/console experiences," DFC said.

Nintendo peaked in terms of hardware sales in 2007-2009 with the Wii and DS combining to sell 40 million-50 million units annually. But DFC said the Switch 2 is capable of reaching an "even larger share" than the original Switch on a longer-term timeline.

The Switch 2 launches on June 5. Keep checking back with GameSpot for more.