Nintendo Switch 2 surpasses GameCube in Japan with 4 million units sold

Nintendo Switch 2 has reached a major milestone, selling over 4 million units in Japan and eclipsing the lifetime sales of the GameCube in that market. This achievement came swiftly, highlighted by strong weekly sales figures from Famitsu data covering late December 2025 to early January 2026. The Switch 2 dominated hardware sales during the two-week period from December 29, 2025, to January 11, 2026, moving 313,838 additional units to reach a lifetime total of 4,097,905 in Japan. This outperformed competitors significantly, with the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition in second place at 36,856 units sold, bringing its lifetime total to 1,154,384. Traditional Switch models like Lite and OLED continued to sell steadily, but the new console clearly leads Nintendo’s lineup. Mario Kart World topped physical software sales with 92,869 units sold in the period, accumulating 2,761,250 lifetime copies. Other strong performers included Momotaro Dentetsu 2 variants and Pokemon Legends: Z-A editions for both Switch 2 and original Switch, alongside Kirby Air Riders and Donkey Kong Bananza. Evergreen titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Minecraft also posted solid numbers, underscoring enduring demand for Nintendo’s library. This rapid outpacing of the GameCube—whose Japan lifetime sales fell below 4 million—reflects the Switch 2’s hybrid appeal in a matured gaming market. Despite the success, some note stock market skepticism, with comments on potential upcoming deals amid broader fiscal goals like Nintendo’s 19 million global unit forecast. Online discussions highlight excitement over the console’s launch strength, contrasting past generations.

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