Nintendo appears to be entering 2026 with considerable momentum. New sales data out of Japan reveals that the Nintendo Switch 2 sold over 3.7 million units in Japan since its release in June 2025, a figure that more than doubles the original Switch’s performance during its first full year in the region. The impressive numbers further cement Nintendo’s dominance in its home market and signal strong demand as the company looks ahead to its next phase.
That momentum was echoed in recent comments from Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa, who spoke with Kyoto Shimbun about the Switch 2’s performance, supply outlook, and Nintendo’s broader creative ambitions. According to Furukawa, global supply has largely stabilized, though Japan may still need additional time before demand is fully met. When asked about potential pricing changes, Furukawa declined to speculate, noting that current memory pricing and component costs are not directly impacting Nintendo’s financial performance.
Perhaps most exciting for Zelda fans, Furukawa also addressed Nintendo’s expanding efforts beyond games including the long-awaited The Legend of Zelda film. Furukawa emphasized that Nintendo’s film projects are not driven by short-term profits, but by a desire to broaden the reach of its characters and worlds. He noted that more information about the Zelda film will be shared gradually, framing it as part of a long-term strategy to grow Nintendo’s multimedia presence. The comments suggest that, much like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Zelda’s leap to the big screen is being treated as a foundational moment rather than a one-off experiment.
On the software front, Nintendo is already reinforcing that strategy. A recent update brought players back to familiar shores with a major 3.0 refresh for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, now available across both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. The update introduces new activities, quality-of-life improvements, and crossover content which includes some from The Legend of Zelda with the addition of Tulin and Mineru as villagers that can be scanned in with amiibo and a bunch of items and clothing related to the series. Additionally, the Switch 2 version offers technical enhancements such as improved visuals, mouse controls, and expanded online play. It’s a clear example of Nintendo leveraging its existing library to keep players engaged while the next wave of titles are in development.
Taken together, the picture Nintendo is painting is an ambitious one. Strong hardware sales, continued support for current games, and careful expansion into film and other media suggest the company is positioning the Switch 2 as more than just a more powerful Switch or simply as its next console. Furukawa’s comments confirm that The Legend of Zelda is poised for meaningful growth beyond its long-established formula, setting the stage for a major new chapter as the series approaches its 40th anniversary.
