NOTE: This is not a "Nintendo is DOOMED!" post. I am someone who enjoys analysing box office numbers & video game sales data. I am not trying to claim the Switch 2 is a total flop or anything like that.
We know the Switch 2 had a record-breaking launch in the US and Japan, even beating the PS5. However, the Switch 2 does not seem to be experiencing that same level of success in Europe. I'm not just saying that based on anecdotal evidence; I'm using actual data.
Now, I know what you are probably thinking: "Europe only love Playstation, they don't give a shit about Nintendo!" That is a widely believed myth, but it is simply NOT true.
Nintendo's most successful systems of the last 25 years (Wii, DS, Switch) did excellent numbers in Europe:
– Wii sold 33 million in Europe
– Switch sold 39 million in Europe
– DS sold 51 million (!!!) in Europe
So, Nintendo definitely CAN succeed in Europe. However, the Switch 2's early numbers seem a bit disappointing there.
First of all, the Switch 2 did not break any records in Europe. In fact, the Switch 2 launched below the Xbox Series X/S, which are now selling terrible numbers across all of Europe:
https://www.thegamebusiness.com/p/switch-2-is-nintendos-biggest-uk
The Switch 2 did beat the Switch 1's launch, but the obvious reason for that is the Switch 1 had major stock issues in the first year. The Switch 2 had the most stock a console has EVER had at launch, and yet it couldn't even beat the Xbox Series consoles in Europe. The Switch 2 is widely available in Europe.
We also have evidence that the Switch 2 has declined faster in Europe than in the US and Japan:
https://twistedvoxel.com/ps5-sales-surge-in-spain-third-party-titles-underperform-on-switch-2/
https://www.cbr.com/ps5-outsold-nintendo-switch-2-september-2025/
It was first reported that the Switch 2 was being outsold by PS5 in Spain, only two months after launch. But now, sales estimates show that PS5 is already beating Switch 2 across Europe overall. This trend might reverse during the Christmas shopping season, but I don't think it is a great sign.
Nintendo's software sales also seem weaker in Europe. Pokemon Legends Z-A had the smallest launch for a Pokemon game in Europe since 2018:
https://www.thegamebusiness.com/p/pokemon-legends-z-a-captures-no1
Now, the last bit of evidence I have that the Switch 2 is underperforming in Europe is that the Switch 2 is already receiving several discounts in Europe:
So, based on the evidence I have provided, do you think it is reasonable to say that the Switch 2 is actually underperforming in Europe?
by MewWeebTwo
10 Comments
>- Switch sold 39 million in Europe
Over an 8 (and counting) year period.
Relax it’s just 4 months in.
It’s probably true. Europe has been difficult for Nintendo. It’s PlayStation territory. The Switch was something new. Switch 2 is more of the same, just better. The rise of handheld PCs probably make that less enticing.
Oh, and the PlayStation Portal makes sense in Europe. Their internet speeds are not awful like in the US, so it’s a great device to have there.
Yeah, I wouldn’t doubt Nintendo is underperforming anywhere that’s not US or Japan.
Metroid Prime 4 will turn things around
dun care how much money the billion dollar company makes
* UK = all of Europe for reasons
* Spain = all of Europe for reasons
*digital data not available
*There is a drop in physical game revenue everywhere but I guess it’s only bad when it’s happening to Nintendo because reasons
*ps5 had steep discount (100 euro off) in September . Someone else doing well must mean Nintendo is doing bad! because reasons again
*Physical Retailers doing discounts to compete with online retailers and 30 euro off = BIG FIRE SALE NINTENDO NOT SELLING because reasons.
Not a doomer post.
There’s one key factor you failed to mention:
The original Switch systems are still the third bestselling consoles in Europe, making Nintendo have the biggest market share among the three brands. The Switch is still selling extremely well and that’s expected because a lot of games are still coming out on both platforms. When the Switch numbers start going down drastically, Switch 2 sales will start rising exponentially.
Oh there’s nothing better than an American talking about “Europe” on Reddit like it’s one big homogenous blob of people.
Its not rocket science. Switch 2 cost nearly as much as PS5 in Europe, and given that PS is more popular than Nintendo in Europe it makes sense why people there would rather buy a PS5 compared to Switch 2. The Nintendo systems that have done well in Europe like Wii, DS, Gameboy has done so at a low price point. In Japan on the other hand Switch 2 is both more popular than PS and much cheaper which means its easy for Switch 2 to dominate fully there.
If so then Nintendo has deserved it.
“The Switch 2 is doing TERRIBLY!!! LOOK AT MY CAPS”
*very quickly shrugs off it’s out pacing it’s predecessor as not counting*
Redditors always gotta do their best to look smart because of they doomposted while actively trying to ignore evidence to the contrary.