Ethan Crossfield 
If you’re deciding whether to follow the Switch 2 right now, the latest sales update is a clear signal: in the UK, the hybrid console has already overtaken the GameCube in units sold. The catch is that many shoppers are still sticking with the original Switch, largely because a large portion of games remains on the older system and the Switch 2 is set to cost more soon.
What changed: Switch 2 overtakes GameCube in the UK
Industry analyst Christopher Dring reports that the Nintendo Switch 2 has officially surpassed the GameCube in UK sales. The milestone matters because it’s happening quickly—Switch 2 has been on sale since June 2025, while the GameCube’s UK performance is being measured against the Switch 2’s early run. Updated official UK totals haven’t been published, but late-2025 figures cited in the report show Switch 2 at 737,000 sales against the GameCube’s lifetime total of 1.1 million in the UK.
For context, the original Switch has sold over 7 million units in the UK since launching in 2017. That comparison highlights just how strong Nintendo’s modern hybrid market has been, and why expectations were high when Switch 2 arrived.
Who’s affected: Nintendo’s lineup and players choosing a system
The Switch 2 is also competing against Nintendo’s own historical sales yardsticks. Worldwide, Nintendo’s figures shared in March indicate the GameCube sold 21.74 million units, while Switch 2 had already reached 19.86 million at that point. Nintendo typically updates sales on a quarterly schedule, with the next report expected in August, so the final worldwide picture could tighten quickly.
However, the UK milestone doesn’t automatically mean every gamer has moved on. The source notes that many players are still sticking with the original Switch because many games continue to release on the older system. Cost is another barrier: the Switch 2 becomes more expensive starting September 1, and the source links broader console price increases to an AI-driven RAM cost situation affecting home consoles.
Still, exclusives and major releases may help. The report points to Switch 2 momentum building through additional exclusive releases, including Pokemon Pokopia and the more recent Splatoon Raiders. It also suggests Pokemon Winds and Waves in 2027 could provide another substantial boost.
What comes next: can Switch 2 sustain growth and beat bigger benchmarks?
Nintendo’s UK and worldwide numbers suggest the Switch 2 is trending toward long-term relevance, especially given how it’s already bested the Wii U. Wii U lifetime sales are cited at 13.56 million units worldwide, meaning Switch 2 has already surpassed that figure. The next benchmarks mentioned are Nintendo 64 at 32.93 million and the original SNES at 49.10.
Whether Switch 2 can ultimately match or exceed the original Switch’s overall record remains uncertain. Early on, some observers doubted Switch 2 could come close to its predecessor’s success, but the source indicates Switch 2 sold faster than the original Switch during early launch days. The next phase is about sustaining that pace amid higher pricing and continued support for the original system.
In the near term, the biggest “watch this space” item is Nintendo’s next quarterly sales update in August, which should clarify how close Switch 2 is to the GameCube worldwide.
What players should know
- UK: Switch 2 has already overtaken the GameCube in sales (late-2025 figures referenced: 737,000 vs 1.1 million lifetime for GameCube).
- Worldwide: March figures show Switch 2 at 19.86 million vs GameCube’s 21.74 million, with an August update expected to confirm the final gap.
- Many gamers may still be on the original Switch because many games continue to release there.
- Price pressure is real: Switch 2 is set to cost more starting September 1, which could slow early adoption.
- More Switch 2-exclusive releases are arriving, including Pokemon Pokopia and Splatoon Raiders, with Pokemon Winds and Waves planned for 2027.
| Metric | Nintendo Switch 2 | Nintendo GameCube |
|---|---|---|
| UK sales milestone (reported figures) | 737,000 (late 2025) | 1.1 million lifetime (UK) |
| Worldwide sales (Nintendo figures shared in March) | 19.86 million | 21.74 million |
Expert View
The Switch 2’s UK lead over the GameCube is a strong early indicator of momentum, and the worldwide gap suggests it could close further before the next quarterly update. That said, adoption may still be uneven: ongoing releases for the original Switch and a scheduled price increase could keep some players from upgrading immediately. Overall, this looks less like a one-off spike and more like a trend—one that will be tested by pricing and the strength of future Switch 2-exclusive lineups.
