The Game Business Show Nintendo Switch 2 sales stumble over Christmas
Jan 8, 2026
Keza MacDonald, a video games editor at The Guardian and a renowned Nintendo journalist, joins the conversation to discuss the Switch 2's rocky Christmas sales. She shares insights on her upcoming book about Nintendo's cultural history and reflects on the demand and media coverage surrounding the Switch 2. The duo also explores Nintendo's history of surprising hits, upcoming titles, and the impact of TV adaptations like Fallout on gaming engagement. Plus, they touch on the new indie publishing venture by the Phasmaphobia team.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Switch 2's Launch Versus Christmas Dip
- Switch 2 launched extremely strongly but weakened over the Christmas window compared to the original Switch's launch.
- Factors cited include a tougher economy, higher price point, and absence of a single killer Christmas game.
Less Media, Not Less Demand
- Keza MacDonald argues the perceived lack of buzz partly reflects fewer games journalists and less media coverage, not necessarily weaker demand.
- Built-up demand from years without a major upgrade still drove a strong initial launch.
Two Buyer Audiences For Switch 2
- Nintendo has two upgrade audiences: existing Switch owners who will naturally upgrade, and new buyers who need a clear killer reason to buy.
- Without a standout new-title incentive, many holiday buyers opted to wait.