The Nintendo Switch 2 has officially overtaken the GameCube in sales in one area, indicating how successful the system has been so far. While the Nintendo GameCube failed to move as many units as its predecessors, the console was still quite successful, but the Switch 2 is still leaving it behind.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has had big shoes to fill ever since it released, as its predecessor, the original Switch, is Nintendo’s most successful console ever in terms of units moved. Early on, there were many who believed that the Switch 2 would never be able to come close to what its precursor had accomplished. However, the Switch 2 managed to sell faster than the Switch in its early launch days, though it remains to be seen if it can ultimately beat the Switch’s overall record.
Nintendo Switch 2 Beats GameCube in the UK
Now, industry analyst Christopher Dring has revealed that the Nintendo Switch 2 has officially surpassed the GameCube in the UK, in terms of sales. The remarkable achievement has been made despite the fact that the Switch 2 has only been on sale since June 2025. Updated official numbers for the sales haven’t been revealed, but according to figures from late 2025, the Switch 2 was already sneaking up on the GameCube in the UK, with 737,000 sales versus the GameCube’s lifetime sales of 1.1 million. The original Switch, for comparison’s sake, has sold over 7 million units in the UK since its release back in 2017.
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In terms of worldwide sales, it’s possible that the Switch 2 has already overtaken the GameCube or will do so soon. According to Nintendo’s own figures shared back in March, the GameCube sold 21.74 million units worldwide, and the Switch 2 was already moving in on it at 19.86 million units. Nintendo typically releases updated sales figures on a quarterly basis, with the next report arriving in August, so the exact worldwide numbers will be revealed then.
As noted, while 21.74 million GameCubes sold is impressive, it’s on the low end for Nintendo’s family of consoles. The only system to sell fewer console units than the GameCube in Nintendo’s history is the Wii U, which only managed to move 13.56 million units in its lifetime worldwide, so the Switch 2 has already bested that record. Next up will be the Nintendo 64 with 32.93 million units sold, followed by the original SNES at 49.10.
For now, the level of success the Switch 2 experiences in the future remains unclear. While the console is popular, many gamers have stuck with the original Switch for the moment, as many games are still being released for the older system. Cost is also a considerable problem, with the Switch 2 becoming more expensive starting on September 1. It’s not the only system to see its price rise, as the AI-induced RAM crisis has led the cost of other home consoles to go up. Even so, spending $499.99 on a Switch 2 may not be inviting for a lot of gamers right now. However, it’s entirely possible that the Switch 2 could see its sales rise considerably over time. More Switch 2-exclusive games have been gradually released, like the wildly popular Pokemon Pokopia, and more recently, Splatoon Raiders. Pokemon will likely give the system another major boost when Pokemon Winds and Waves launches in 2027.
