Switch 2 vs Switch 1 Sales Comparison in Europe - December 2025 - Sales
by William D'Angelo , posted on 29 January 2026 / 5,437 Views
The VGChartz sales comparison series of articles are updated monthly and each one focuses on a different sales comparison using our estimated video game hardware figures. The charts include comparisons between the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, as well as with older platforms. There are articles based on our worldwide estimates, as well as the US, Europe, and Japan.
This monthly series compares the aligned Europe sales of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch 1.
The Nintendo Switch 2 launched in June 2025 in Europe and the Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017. This does mean the holiday periods for the two consoles do not lineup.
Switch 2 Vs. Switch 1 Europe:
Gap change in latest month: 601,818 - Switch 2
Total Lead: 1,660,038 - Switch 2
Switch 2 Total Sales: 3,374,249
Switch 1 Total Sales: 1,714,211
December 2025 is the 7th month that the Nintendo Switch 2 has been available for in Europe. During the latest month, the Switch 2 has outsold the Switch 1 by 0.60 million units when you align the launches. The Switch 2 is now ahead of the Switch 1 by 1.66 million units.
The 7th month for the Switch 2 is December 2025, while for the Switch 1 it is September 2017. The Switch 2 has sold 3.37 million units, while the Switch 1 sold 1.71 million units during the same timeframe.
The Nintendo Switch 1 sold 39.61 million units to date. The Switch 2 is currently 36.24 million units behind the lifetime sales of the Switch 1.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can follow the author on Bluesky.
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I don't get why people are saying Switch 2 isn't doing well in Europe when its sales are almost double Switch 1's so far
its a great start for sure.
Totally. Sales have slowed down a lot but the launch was huge so they were never going to be sustained.
I’m going to repeat myself again, but I work in console sales in France. On paper, the Switch 2 far outperforms the Switch 1 in terms of sales. However, the Switch 2 benefited from a record launch that the Switch 1 didn’t have due to insufficient stock at the time. The Switch 1 suffered from major stock shortages in Europe, which wasn’t the case for the Switch 2. If we set aside this exceptional launch, the sales aren’t that impressive, because initially, most of them came mainly from big Nintendo fans. Today, Switch 2 sales have dropped sharply in Europe, to the point of being lower than those of the Switch 1 at the same stage in its life cycle. I see it in my store: Switch 2 sales have fallen dramatically in France, in a country where Nintendo usually sells a huge number of consoles. Customers are very divided and often hesitant because of the price, which is considered too high. Sales are not a sprint; they’re a marathon.
Yes, it sold much better, but especially thanks to an exceptional launch. As I mentioned, most of the sales during the launch and the following four months, which were huge, were made by big Nintendo fans. The problem is that buyers outside this circle, such as the general public or parents, see no interest in buying the Switch 2 for the moment. They consider it too expensive and do not really perceive a difference with the Switch 1. While discussing with my clients, many believe that the Switch 2 is not worth the price. It should be remembered that the Switch 1 cost €299 in France, compared to €469 for the Switch 2. There is high price inflation in Europe, particularly in France. I noticed that sales decrease every month, to the point that the Switch 2 is now selling less well than the Switch 1 in recent months. It’s not normal, especially for a new console, and even more so in France, a territory where Nintendo is very strong in sales As the launch and the first four months have been uA huge success in terms of sales. it doesn’t jump out of the overall numbers. But in 2026, the Switch 2 starts from scratch again: Nintendo fans have already mostly bought the console in 2025. It is therefore up to Nintendo to convince the general public and parents by highlighting the real differences of the Switch 2 report the Switch 1 and by announcing big exclusive games.
Cool anecdotal evidence, but have you looked at the data in this very article?
Europe has always been the weakest market for Nintendo compared to the US and Japan and Switch also had supply constraints at launch in the US.
Your point is moot.
Sales were very front loaded in 2025 but that doesn't mean they won't improve this year.
The slowdown is mostly coming from a lack of Switch 2 specific "must-have" titles; once there are a Mario jump&run, smash and/or Animal crossing, sales should sustain themselves much better than they do right now.
For sure. I think sales will pick up once they release some bigger exclusives (besides MK).
Nintendo is following the strategy of spacing out their releases. MKW handed off the baton to Pokemon Z-A like BOTW handed the baton to Mario Odyssey. Nintendo isn't even warmed up yet. We'll see if it continues.
That Switch 1 number does not include the holiday period though. The gap will be significantly reduced in 3 months,
Looking at the numbers, the gap should be around 700k in 3 months.
True I forgot their holidays don't line up. It will be interesting to see how long NS2 can stay ahead in EU.
fantastic start, heavy hitters to come
