The Nintendo Switch 2 continues its impressive sales run, with gaming media personality Paul Gale reporting that the console has crossed 12 million units sold worldwide as of early November 2025. If accurate, this would represent continued strong momentum for Nintendo’s latest hardware as it heads into its first holiday season on the market.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Paul Gale posted on November 8, 2025 that 12 million Switch 2 consoles have been sold globally, describing it as exciting news ahead of Black Friday. The claim comes roughly one month after Nintendo’s official financial report, which stated the console had sold 10.36 million units through September 30, 2025. If Gale’s figures are correct, that means approximately 1.64 million additional units sold during October alone.
This pace actually seems reasonable when you consider the context. Nintendo sold 4.54 million units in the July through September quarter, averaging about 1.5 million per month. October would typically see a sales increase as retailers stock up for the holidays and consumers start early shopping. The Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025, meaning it achieved these numbers in just five months on the market.
Who Is Paul Gale
Paul Gale runs the Paul Gale Network, a website and social media presence focused on video game news, reviews, and industry coverage. He’s a kinesiology professor at California State University Northridge who has maintained connections within the gaming industry for years. His background includes writing for major gaming outlets like 1UP.com and Gamers.com, appearing in publications like Electronic Gaming Monthly and Nintendo Power, and even being turned into characters in Street Fighter IV and Ghost Song.
Gale’s credibility in the leak community is mixed. He has industry contacts who occasionally provide him with information, and he’s made accurate predictions in the past. However, he’s not considered a top-tier insider like the people who consistently break major news before official announcements. His sales figure claims specifically are less common than his general gaming news coverage, making it harder to assess his track record in this particular area.
The Switch 2 Sales Story So Far
Nintendo’s newest console has exceeded expectations from the moment it launched. The system sold over 3.5 million units in its first four days of availability, setting a new launch week record for video game hardware in the United States with 1.1 million units sold during the week ending June 7, 2025. That beat the previous record held by PlayStation 4.
The strong start continued through summer despite typical seasonal slowdowns. By the end of June, the console had already become the best-selling system of 2025 in the US, overtaking PlayStation 5 despite only being on the market for eight weeks compared to PS5’s full six months of availability. Mat Piscatella from Circana noted the Switch 2 was tracking 75 percent ahead of where the original Switch was at the same point in its lifecycle back in 2017.
Nintendo reported impressive second quarter results covering July through September. The 4.54 million units sold during that period brought the official total to 10.36 million as of September 30. Software sales have been equally strong with 20.62 million games sold, led by Mario Kart World at 9.57 million copies.
Pre-Order Chaos and Demand
The Switch 2’s success was evident even before launch when pre-orders went live in late April 2025. Major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Best Buy all reported website crashes and errors as millions of people simultaneously tried to secure reservations. Many stores sold out within minutes, with some customers waiting in lengthy digital queues only to find consoles unavailable.
Japan saw particularly intense demand, with over 2.2 million people registering for the opportunity to pre-order through Nintendo’s official store, far exceeding the company’s expectations. Nintendo warned consumers they wouldn’t be able to fulfill all pre-orders by launch day, implementing lottery systems to manage the limited supply. The frenzy demonstrated pent-up demand after years of waiting for new Nintendo hardware.
What Makes This Achievement Impressive
Reaching 12 million units in five months puts the Switch 2 on track for an exceptional first year. For comparison, the original Nintendo Switch sold approximately 14.86 million units in its first nine months from March through December 2017. The Switch 2 is significantly outpacing that trajectory despite launching at a higher price point of $449.99 compared to the original’s $299.99.
The PlayStation 5, which has been a strong performer this generation, sold roughly 7.8 million units in its first five months on the market. However, PS5 faced severe supply constraints due to chip shortages during the pandemic. The Switch 2 has benefited from better supply chain conditions, allowing Nintendo to meet more of the demand, though shortages have still occurred in some regions.
Holiday Season Could Be Massive
If the Switch 2 truly has reached 12 million units by early November, the holiday shopping period from Black Friday through the end of the year could push it significantly higher. Nintendo raised its full-year sales forecast to 19 million Switch 2 consoles, suggesting they expect strong Q4 performance. The company clearly has confidence in maintaining supply to meet continued demand.
Several factors support a strong holiday season. The console now has a growing game library with major releases like Pokemon Legends Z-A, which sold 5.8 million copies in its first week with about half played on Switch 2 hardware. Parents shopping for kids will find plenty of family-friendly options. The original Switch continues selling alongside its successor, giving Nintendo products at multiple price points for different budgets.
Reddit Reactions to the Claim
The Reddit gaming community responded to Gale’s claim with a mix of acceptance and skepticism. Many users noted that extrapolating from Nintendo’s official 10.36 million figure through September, adding roughly 1.6 million for October would indeed bring the total to around 12 million. The math checks out based on the console’s established sales velocity.
Others questioned Paul Gale’s track record specifically regarding sales figures, noting he’s more known for general gaming news than hard sales data. Some commented that even if the exact number is off slightly, the Switch 2 is undeniably performing exceptionally well. A few users pointed out that at this pace, the system could surpass the lifetime sales of the Wii U, which sold 13.56 million units total, potentially by the end of 2025.
FAQs
Has Nintendo confirmed 12 million Switch 2 units sold?
No, Nintendo’s most recent official sales figure is 10.36 million units sold through September 30, 2025. The 12 million claim comes from Paul Gale Network and has not been verified by Nintendo. The company will likely provide updated figures in their next quarterly financial report.
When did the Nintendo Switch 2 launch?
The Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025 at a retail price of $449.99. It sold over 3.5 million units in its first four days on the market.
How does Switch 2 compare to the original Switch sales?
The Switch 2 is tracking about 75 percent ahead of where the original Switch was at the same point in its lifecycle. The original Switch sold approximately 14.86 million units in its first nine months, while the Switch 2 appears on pace to significantly exceed that figure.
Is Paul Gale a reliable source?
Paul Gale has connections in the gaming industry and has made accurate claims in the past, but he’s not considered a top-tier insider. His track record is mixed, and his sales figure claims specifically are less common, making this particular prediction harder to verify until Nintendo releases official numbers.
What were the best-selling Switch 2 games so far?
As of September 30, Mario Kart World leads with 9.57 million copies sold, followed by Donkey Kong Bananza with 3.49 million units. Pokemon Legends Z-A, which launched in October, sold 5.8 million copies in its first week.
How much does the Nintendo Switch 2 cost?
The Nintendo Switch 2 retails for $449.99, significantly higher than the original Switch’s $299.99 launch price. Despite the increased cost, demand has remained extremely strong.
What is Nintendo’s sales forecast for Switch 2?
Nintendo has set a target of 19 million Switch 2 units sold by the end of their fiscal year in March 2026. The company raised this forecast after strong first-half performance exceeded initial expectations.
Can you still buy the original Nintendo Switch?
Yes, Nintendo continues selling the original Switch alongside the Switch 2. During the July through September 2025 quarter, the original Switch sold 1.89 million units, bringing its lifetime total to 154.01 million units.
Conclusion
Whether Paul Gale’s 12 million figure is perfectly accurate or slightly off, the broader narrative is clear. The Nintendo Switch 2 is having an exceptional launch period that exceeds both its predecessor and most competing consoles. The combination of strong first-party games, improved hardware capabilities, backward compatibility with original Switch titles, and Nintendo’s brand strength has created a perfect storm of demand. As the console enters its first holiday season with momentum building rather than fading, it seems likely to smash through whatever sales targets Nintendo sets. The real question isn’t whether it’s performing well, but just how high the numbers will climb by the time 2025 ends. Based on the trajectory so far, some remarkably impressive milestones are within reach.