Nintendo’s Secret 20 Million Switch 2 Plan Could Spark the Biggest Gaming Boom of 2026

Nintendo could be planning a far bigger year for the Switch 2 than it wants the public to know. Nintendo recently informed investors it expects to sell 16.5 million Switch 2 consoles in the following fiscal year, which ends in March 2027. But new sources indicate that the gaming giant may have much bigger goals up its sleeve.

According to a recent report, Nintendo is reportedly accelerating plans to produce as many as 20 million Switch 2 units by March 2027. That’s around 20% higher than the company’s initial projection. There are plenty of people in the game industry who believe Nintendo is being deliberately conservative with investors as it prepares for a big year of growth for the hybrid console.

The company’s official projection was already of interest to people because it expected fewer sales than the almost 19.9 million Switch consoles Nintendo sold at launch.

Analysts believe the lower target is a function of the company’s conservative nature, not of what they expect demand to be. Serkan Toto, an industry analyst, said in a report that “Nintendo has little to lose by setting the bar low early on and then exceeding it later.” The corporation has used similar tactics to forecast in prior fiscal years. It provided investors with prudent guidance while positioning itself for above-consensus sales performance.

At the same time, Nintendo has to cope with a rapidly changing global market. Earlier this month, the company stated the Switch 2 would be more expensive in several major regions, including the US, Europe, Canada, and Japan. The MSRP of the machine will increase on September 1 due to economic changes and rising global business costs.

Still, Nintendo's approach to pricing hardware means the Switch 2 will be priced below many other gaming systems, even with the price bump. The console is $500, but it’s still cheaper than some of its competitors of the same age. Currently, a PlayStation 5 with a disc drive is listed at roughly $650 in several places. Microsoft’s Xbox Series X is around the same price.

That parallel could be very important for Nintendo’s long-term plans. The $500 price tag is the highest a Nintendo console has ever launched at in the company's history, but the company is determined to maintain its reputation as the easiest way to get into modern gaming. Still, it’s evident that purchasers are feeling the pinch of higher hardware prices.

Analysts and enthusiasts alike say the new pricing makes consumers think twice before upgrading. Strangely enough, however, the coming price increase may be contributing to a short-term increase in demand. It is reported that Nintendo has taken advantage of this window to launch limited-time bundle bargains on the My Nintendo Store.

As of today, consumers can purchase a Switch 2 bundle that includes any first-party game of their choice, such as Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia.

New data on Circana sales suggests the idea is succeeding. Console sales have reportedly jumped significantly, with Nintendo posting figures that rival the high launch momentum observed immediately after the hardware launched last year. Looks like a lot of people want to buy before the prices go up in September.

If you’re already considering acquiring the system, the chance to receive partnered games at this price might be enough to convince you to upgrade now. Businesspeople now believe Nintendo may continue to rely heavily on group promotions during the holidays. Some expect the company to offer another $500 holiday package, while others expect big stores to lower the price of the machine on their own to draw customers during the busy end-of-year shopping season.

Retailers might use the Switch 2 as a "loss leader," meaning they will make less on the hardware itself in hopes that more consumers will buy games, accessories, and other items during the holidays. But what may truly be happening behind the scenes is Nintendo's optimism about future software on the platform. Many times before, executives have said that the Switch 2’s second year on the market will be defined by its software.

Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa stated in a Q&A with investors that the system’s second year was highly essential. First-party software will be the key to long-term adoption, he said. Already, fans are speculating about the next major Nintendo exhibition, which they expect to take place in June. It’s been some time since Nintendo held a major first-party presentation, the latest being in September last year, so fans are keen to hear about impending exclusives.

The rumors surrounding Nintendo's future software plans have only intensified over the past several weeks. There is still a lot of chatter regarding a prospective remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, with some sources saying it may be released in late 2026. Fans are also waiting to hear about a potential Luigi’s Mansion 4. Some expect Nintendo to tease its next big 3D Mario game at the end of its forthcoming Direct broadcast.

The more relaxed, cozy games from Nintendo have also brought more people to the Switch 2.

According to reports, games such as Pokémon Poké Ball and Tomodachi Life: The Dream are attracting players from fan communities around franchises like Animal Crossing. That wider reach could be very important to Nintendo if they really want to sell 20 million systems in the next fiscal year. To widely adopt the new technology, the corporation would have to reach beyond its primary gaming audience.

It’d have to appeal to casual gamers and families, too. Right now, Nintendo is holding to its modest prediction of selling 16.5 million units. But more reports of grander ambitions for the Switch 2 imply the firm might privately think it’s set for a much bigger breakout year. If Nintendo’s rumored software line-up is real and demand remains robust for Christmas, the company might once again beat expectations, as it did multiple times during the first Switch era.