Nintendo President Says Switch 2 Sales Are Stabilizing After Price Hikes as Ocarina of Time and Zelda 40th Anniversary Console Performs Well

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has addressed concerns about the Nintendo Switch 2’s sales momentum following the console’s recent price increases, suggesting that the slowdown in Japan represents a natural adjustment rather than a major setback. The company is also seeing encouraging results from its latest Zelda releases, with the Nintendo Switch 2: The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition receiving a positive response across multiple regions.

During Nintendo’s November 2026 financial results Q&A, Furukawa discussed the company’s hardware performance, regional sales differences, and expectations for the upcoming holiday season. He also confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has enjoyed a very strong opening, although Nintendo has not shared specific sales figures.

The comments come at an important time for Nintendo, as the company looks to maintain Switch 2’s adoption following its hardware price adjustments.

Furukawa Explains Switch 2 Sales Trends Following Price Increases

According to Furukawa, Nintendo’s latest hardware sales performance needs to be considered in the context of the Switch 2’s unusually fast adoption after launch. He pointed out that the release of Pokémon Pokopia helped generate additional hardware demand globally, giving the company strong momentum heading into the current fiscal year.

However, Nintendo subsequently introduced price adjustments in different regions. Japan received its increase in May 2026, while other markets followed in September. This resulted in different purchasing patterns depending on the region.

Furukawa explained that Japan experienced particularly strong demand before the price adjustment, as consumers rushed to purchase the console at its previous price. Consequently, Nintendo considers the subsequent moderation in sales a natural stabilization following that initial surge.

He stated:

“we view the current, more moderate level of sell-through as a natural stabilization.”

The situation outside Japan has been somewhat different. Nintendo announced the upcoming price changes ahead of their implementation and introduced hardware bundles containing games during that period. These offers helped maintain consumer interest, preventing the company from experiencing a comparable shift in purchasing trends.

Nintendo’s price adjustments were significant for consumers. The Japanese-language Switch 2 model increased from ¥49,980 to ¥59,980, while the US price moved from $449.99 to $499.99. The changes reflected broader market conditions and rising component costs, according to Nintendo’s official pricing announcement.

Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition and Ocarina of Time Boost Nintendo’s Outlook

Furukawa also discussed the performance of Nintendo’s latest Zelda products, which could help the company maintain hardware demand during the crucial year-end shopping period.

The Nintendo Switch 2: The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition launched on October 29, 2026. Featuring a special design celebrating the franchise’s 40th anniversary, the console has received a strong response and generated solid sales across multiple regions.

Nintendo has also received encouraging early results from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which arrived on Switch 2 in November. Although Furukawa avoided disclosing specific figures, he described its performance as having a “very strong start.”

These releases could prove important as Nintendo enters the holiday season. Furukawa explained that year-end hardware sales have a substantial influence on the company’s annual shipment figures.

He also emphasized that the coming weeks will be particularly important for achieving Nintendo’s sales targets following the price adjustments.

According to the company’s November 2026 financial results, Nintendo continues to focus on expanding the Switch 2’s installed base through new releases and its existing software catalogue.

With the Zelda anniversary hardware and Ocarina of Time already generating positive responses, Nintendo appears optimistic about the remainder of the year. However, the holiday shopping season will ultimately determine how effectively the company can maintain its hardware momentum at the revised prices.